ALTHOUGH seemingly falling apart at the seams since its presidential elections in February, the governing People's National Party (PNP) is seen as the more unified of Jamaica's two major political parties.

According to a Gleaner-commissioned poll by Bill Johnson, of the 1,008 persons who were asked the question, 'Which of the two parties do you think is the most unified and united', 40 per cent said the PNP. Thirty-one per cent of those interviewed said the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was more unified.

PNP shaken

This level of response is interesting, considering the publicised spats that have shaken the PNP since early this year. Currently, the party is trying to settle two ugly constituency rows in South-East St. Elizabeth and Central Westmoreland.

On the other hand, the JLP seems to have finally calmed down after almost 10 years of bickering. But, this is not reflected in the figures.

"Perceptions are very hard to change in politics," said Mr. Johnson. "I've been here for 11 years and for nine of those the JLP has been fighting," he noted. "I think the average person has based their answers on history more than reality."

The poll, conducted on October 28 and 29 in 84 communities across the island's 14 parishes, found that 16 per cent of the respondents felt neither party was unified while 13 per cent did not know which of the two was more united.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.

Mr. Johnson said respondents in varying demographics agreed that the PNP was the more unified organisation, from the 18-24 age group to the 65 and older.

"I'll have to say, that one really puzzled me," he said.

Mr. Johnson said perception may have also determined the answers to some of the other questions posed by his team.

Thinking about the two major parties ...

Which of them do you think would do the best job of reducing crime and violence if it wins the next election ... the PNP or the JLP?

PNP	27%
JLP	26
Neither	29
Don't know	18
Which of them, the PNP or the JLP, do you think would do the best job of creating jobs and reducing unemployment? PNP	31%
JLP	35
Neither	16
Don't know	18
Which of them do you think would do the best job of making sure that education is available to every child in Jamaica? PNP	38%
JLP	36
Neither	11
Don't know	15
Which of them do you think would do the best job of fixing the roads in Jamaica ... the PNP or the JLP? PNP	45%
JLP	27
Neither	12
Don't know	16
Which of them do you think would do the best job of helping the poor people in Jamaica survive? PNP	35
JLP	32
Neither	17
Don't know	16
Which of them do you think cares more about the problems of people like you ... the PNP or the JLP? PNP	34%
JLP	32
Neither	20
Don't know	14
Which of the two parties do you think is the most unified and united ... the PNP or the JLP? PNP	40%
JLP	31
Neither	16
Don't know	13