Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator
Karl Samuda: Mrs. Simpson Miller's support would continue to plunge unless something dramatic was done to address internal problems in the party. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
DESCRIBING THE 14 per cent decline in Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's popularity among Jamaicans as phenomenal, based on the results of a recent Gleaner-commissioned poll, political analyst Troy Caine says a further fall-off in support is expected as the People's National Party (PNP) continues to be rocked by internal conflicts.
However, Senator Colin Campbell, PNP general secretary, argued that the 78 per cent favourable rating received by the Prime Minister in March came immediately after the presidential elections of the PNP and reflected an "abnormal reading".
He told The Gleaner yesterday that the percentage decline, as outlined in the Bill Johnson poll results released yesterday, is a correction to what should be the actual reading.
POST-PRESIDENTIAL OUTCOMES
"March would have reflected immediate post-presidential outcomes when she would have been favourable even among opponents," Mr. Campbell said. "Seventy eight is unsustainable, but 64 is more in keeping with a normal but still very high."
However, Mr. Caine is insisting that the Prime Minister's popularity started to wane after she named her Cabinet which, he said, reflected very little change in the status quo. This was further exacerbated by her Budget presentation which, according to the political analyst, was woefully inadequate.
Blaming the growing disunity in the PNP on efforts to get persons loyal to Mrs. Simpson Miller in key positions within the party, Mr. Caine said the ongoing strife was having a serious effect on the leader's popularity and is reminiscent of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of the 1990s.
In addition, although the party just won a by-election in Eastern Westmoreland, Mr. Caine said the win was not convincing, as the Prime Minister had not put her stamp on the results of that election.
"There is no surge, there is no indication that Luther Buchanan won the seat because of Portia," he added.
In terms of the four percentage points decline in the Opposition Leader's favourable rating, Mr. Caine said he was surprised at this development, especially in light of Mr. Golding's "excellent" Budget presentation.
Karl Samuda, JLP general secretary, said Mrs. Simpson Miller's support would continue to plunge unless something dramatic was done to address internal problems in the party.
COMING ON SUNDAY
If a general election were held today, which party would form the new
government? The poll result may surprise you!
