Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
THE RECENT resignation of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Edward Seaga will strengthen the party. That is the view shared by most of the respondents in a recent Gleaner/Don Anderson poll.
Some 42.9 per cent of the 1,000 persons interviewed across the country between February 3 and 11, were convinced Mr. Seaga's resignation will strengthen the JLP. This view was held primarily by older persons, 55 years and over, from the upper socio-economic group.
But this view was a little more than 10 per cent above the 31.4 per cent of persons who believed the former JLP leader's departure from the JLP will cause the party to lose political ground.
The poll, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 per cent, was conducted among persons 18 years and older.
Mr. Seaga resigned from the JLP last month to take up a post as a distinguished fellow at the University of the West Indies (UWI). He also resigned as Opposition Leader last month.
Meanwhile, 23.6 per cent of those interviewed felt Mr. Seaga's departure will have no effect on the JLP.
From a parish perspective, those who welcomed Mr. Seaga's departure were principally from Hanover, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, St. Mary and St. Thomas. St. Ann was the only parish from which more persons believed the former JLP leader's departure will weaken the party.
... Golding seen as positive
A MAJORITY of Jamaicans feel the recent election of Bruce Golding as new Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader will significantly increase the party's position to win the next general election, a Gleaner/Don Anderson poll has found.
According to the poll, Mr. Golding's appointment appeared to have settled the leadership issue within the party, with the resignation of former leader Edward Seaga.
Of the 1,000 persons polled between February 3 and February 11, this year, 52.5 per cent believe Mr. Golding will improve the chances of the JLP at the next general election. This view was largely shared by males and persons in the 25-45 age cohort.
Some 14.3 per cent believed the new JLP leader's election to the top party post would have a negative impact on the JLP winning chances.
Meanwhile, 30 per cent of the respondents said they think the JLP will not be impacted by Mr. Golding's election. Another 3.2 per cent were unable to say whether Mr. Golding election as new JLP leader would have any impact. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 per cent.
According to the poll findings, favourable responses to Mr. Golding's election as leader came primarily from Hanover (80 per cent), St. Elizabeth (77 per cent), St. Mary (64.8 per cent), and Manchester (60.8). The poll results also showed that persons in Portland and St. James primarily felt he could have a negative impact on the JLP's chances.
CONSIDERABLE TURMOIL
Meanwhile, 69 per cent of those who said they intended to vote for the JLP are among those who feel Mr. Golding will strengthen the party's chances of winning the next general election constitutionally due in 2007. Some 39 per cent of persons who said they will vote for the PNP shared this view.
There has been considerable turmoil within the JLP over many years, and intensified as the departure of Mr. Seaga became closer. The most recent in-fighting culminated with a court battle initiated by Pearnel Charles, a former contender for the post of leader. The injunction, which was filed in the Supreme Court, resulted in the postponement of the JLP's annual conference last November. Mr. Charles' complaint centred on what he cited as irregularities with the delegates' list that should have been used at the conference.
Mr. Golding was elected JLP leader during last week Sunday's rescheduled annual JLP conference at the National Arena.
Tomorrow: The people's verdict on casino gambling.
