O'Brien chang

The latest Gleaner-Commissioned Bill Johnson poll findings have confirmed what two of the island's leading political analysts already knew: Portia Simpson Miller is still well loved, but Bruce Golding is the man most people want to lead the ship of state.

Kevin O'Brien Chang says the most significant finding of the poll is the strong approval rating (52 per cent) still being enjoyed by People's National Party (PNP) President, Portia Simpson Miller.

"Despite the negative media and the pronouncements by many, the people have not turned off Simpson Miller. She still enjoys a lot of good will," he says.

O'Brien Chang is not surprised about Bruce Golding's nine percentage-point lead over Simpson Miller (42-33), when people were asked who they thought would do a better job as prime minister at this time.

"It is a relative game. It doesn't mean that he is doing a good job as prime minister; it just means that persons think he would do better at running the country than Simpson Miller," O'Brien Chang adds.

Reflection of concern

That is a view shared by university lecturer and political analyst Richard 'Dickie' Crawford, who argues that Golding's favourability rating (46 per cent) reflects the concerns that people have expressed about the Government's management of issues such as crime, alternative investment schemes and rising food prices.

"Golding is hurting because of his handling of some issues and if the polls were done today, his favourable rating might be lower," says Crawford.

He notes that with a 52 per cent approval rating, Simpson Miller has made a big jump while Golding has remained almost constant at 46 per cent.

Better leader

Political commentators believe Bruce Golding's favourability lead over Portia Simpson Miller does not reflect confidence in the actual results of his leadership. - File

"The poll shows that while the people still love Mrs Simpson Miller, they believe that Golding has a greater capacity to lead the country," Crawford explains.

For pollster Bill Johnson, the numbers show that despite the social and economic woes, people still believe Golding is the man for the job.

"There is no question that the former prime minister remains the more popular leader, but the majority still think Golding would do a better job," said Johnson, who conducted his latest poll for The Gleaner on May 31 and June 1. The poll was conducted among 1,008 persons in 84 communities across the island. It has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.

The pollster noted that persons were not asked why they made their choice, but he said Golding was ahead in all age groups with the exception of the 18-24 where the two leaders were even.

"The PNP used to be very strong with the older groups, but these groups now seem to be having their doubts about Simpson Miller," Johnson notes.