Political analyst cautions JLP against dismissing poll result showing PNP ahead

By Kimone Witter    

 

Political analyst Germaine Barrett is cautioning the ruling Jamaica Labour Party against dismissing the Don Anderson poll which sees the opposition People's National Party having a near 8 per cent lead.

 

The poll was commissioned by the PNP.

 

In a leaked voicenote, Member of Parliament for South Western St. Catherine, Everald Warmington sought to discredit the poll as not credible.

 

Mr. Warmington told JLP supporters that while the party underperformed in some areas in the local government election, the party is still in good standing.

 

But speaking Thursday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica, Mr. Barrett said the poll result is an indication of what could be the outcome of the general election due next year. 

 

"So I think that the Jamaica Labour Party, who was quite complacent heading into the last local government elections, I think that they are frightened now at what the indications are pointing to. I hope that the sentiment that I'm getting, for example, from Everald Warmington and to a lesser extent, the information minister, are not indicative of what the position is of the party, which is to say, well, you know, these polls are not really credible. This is not a credible indication of people's voting preferences."

 

He urged the JLP to pay attention to the current trends and intensify its messaging while promoting more of the government's activities. 

 

Mr. Barrett suggested that the People's National Party is gaining ground by campaigning on the economic hardships being faced by some Jamaicans, but he said the party is too focused on negative messaging. 

 

"What they need now to do is to promote to Jamaicans a narrative that says, yes, we know your lives are hard, but [we] can deliver a better life for you. I think we started to get that more coming out of the budget debates in terms of the suggestions from Mark Golding and so forth. I think we need a lot more of that, more than the negativity, but more of the positive results that will come from a People's National Party government," he proposed. 

 

The analyst argued that the results of political polls can influence voter decision leading up to an election and on the day for casting ballots.

 

"What it does, for example, for persons who are committed to the Jamaica Labour Party, it's really, really a statement that causes them not to become very inspired and enthusiastic about going and casting their 'X' beside the bell. On the part of the People's National Party, their voters are now inspired and encouraged that there's a sort of renewed enthusiasm about that party."

 

He said based on the near 8 per cent lead of the PNP, they could win over undecided voters. 

 

"I think that if the JLP doesn't pay keen attention and rev up it's machinery, you're going to find that more of the undecided voters are going to say, well, you know, I'm going to cast my vote in favour of the winning team, as is indicated here by the polls."