Dear Editor,

I still maintain that the only People’s National Party (PNP) person who has a chance against Andrew Holness is Damion Crawford. Still, it is interesting to see a Mark Golding versus Andrew Holness matchup in a poll.

During the PNP presidential election Mark Golding’s message was to unite and rebuild his party. He knew that he would not win the popularity contest against Lisa Hanna, Damion Crawford and Andrew Holness, but he can rebuild his party.

The latest PNP-commissioned Don Anderson poll is good news for his party, but not for him as the president. It’s the first time in seven years the PNP is leading the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in a Don Anderson poll.

Anderson’s last poll on the February 2016 General Election had the PNP at 30.8 per cent and the JLP at 27.5 per cent; the PNP ended up losing that election by two seats.

Let’s say this Don Anderson poll is wrong, but it would not be by over five points.

In the PNP’s current state, according to the public, it shouldn’t be leading the JLP in any poll. Also, momentum in politics is not something to brush aside like that.

In Don Anderson’s poll in September of last year the JLP was at 31 per cent and the PNP at 18 per cent. The PNP is up by 10 per cent in six months, and the JLP down by under 3 per cent in six months. Mark Golding’s detractors within the PNP won’t give him any credit for his party leadership.

The reality is that JLP voters will stay home if they are not happy. Persons will blame the JLP’s unpopularity on inflation, the updated road traffic act, and other issues.

Favourability rating is different from who a person wants to vote for. A Don Anderson poll in August 2019 had Peter Bunting up by 20 points over Peter Phillips, who they believed had a better chance against Andrew Holness. Bunting also had an 18-point lead against Peter Phillips when people were asked who should become PNP President. Phillips still won.

Currently I don’t see Damion Crawford nor Lisa Hanna leading Mark Golding by those numbers so clearly Mark Golding will likely have a chance to face a general election.

Bluedot and Bill Johnson polls will likely be out soon, and if they show a PNP momentum the JLP should be worried.

Currently, Mark Golding and the PNP are putting in candidates in seats and some of those candidates are strong candidates. The JLP would be foolish not to take these polls very seriously and start making the necessary changes. It may need to even change all its deputy leaders and even general secretary. The communication department of the JLP needs to do better.

Teddylee Gray

Ocho Rios, St Ann

teddylee.gray@gmail.com