Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
POLITICAL ANALYSTS are of the view that the governing People's National Party's (PNP) one per cent lead in the latest national poll signals the "beginning of the end of the party". However, they also claim it is an indictment on the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
On Sunday, a Gleaner-commissioned Don Anderson poll showed that 35 per cent of the electorate would vote for the PNP while 34 per cent would vote for the JLP - a virtual dead heat.
According to Troy Caine, the JLP's positive showing has been due mainly to Golding's reinvigoration of the party since being elected leader in February this year.
This, despite a poll last week showing that more than 33 per cent of the electorate believed his leadership has been poor.
"The Labour Party has continued to be on a roll, fortified by the new Bruce Golding leadership which has brought a certain amount of unity and cohesiveness to the party's organisation," he said.
Mr. Caine conceded that the JLP's improved showing was partly the result of gains from the PNP's inability to deal with the economy and crime, as well as the JLP's penetration of the ranks of the uncommitted.
He said the JLP would continue to maintain its present momentum, despite the present PNP leadership race.
"All four candidates (for the PNP) are carrying political baggage with them, so whoever wins the leadership race will have a very short honeymoon and cannot afford to have a long period between selection and when the next general election is called," he said.
According to Shalman Scott, while both parties must be concerned about the increased apathy of the electorate, the JLP should be concerned about not being able to regain its two per cent lead over the PNP since July 2004.
"With the change of leadership in the JLP thought to have been the panacea of putting the JLP into winning an election, by now the JLP should have been way ahead," he said.
