Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, during a recent interview on his decision to step down as head of the Jamaica Labour Party.
- RUDOLPH BROWN/Chief PhotographerTHE VAST majority of Jamaicans islandwide have welcomed the recent announcement by Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader Edward Seaga that he will finally step down after 15 consecutive years in political opposition.
According to the latest Gleaner-commissioned Don Anderson poll, 81 per cent of persons interviewed felt that the decision by Mr. Seaga to demit office in November at the party's annual conference, was the right move.
"Older persons, who are traditionally more loyal to the People's National Party (PNP) and persons from the upper socio-economic groups, who are generally more loyal to the JLP are the ones who more than any other group feel that this decision by Mr. Seaga is the right one for the JLP," said pollster Anderson.
THE RIGHT DECISION
"In each case over 93 per cent feel that he is making the right decision in the interest of the JLP," he added.
The islandwide survey, with a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent, was conducted from July 6 to 20 by a team from Market Research Services Ltd. and involved interviews with 1,200 persons aged 18 years and over. The sample was nationally representative and conveys the views of different demographic units of gender, age and social class in line with their known relative importance within the population.
It has been exactly one month since the JLP leader announced that he intends to release his 30-year grip on the leadership at the party's annual conference. Mr. Seaga's decision came in the wake of months of public bickering within the JLP as well as unyielding calls for him to step down and make way for fresh leadership to take the party to victory at the next General Election constitutionally due by 2007.
The announcement has been followed by intense jostling for position among aspirants for the party leadership and possible future prime ministership. Senator Bruce Golding, the de facto leader of the so-called reformist wing, has emerged as the front-runner for the leadership of the party but has yet to officially enter the race. He is expected to do so on Tuesday, August 10, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.
At the same time, Pearnel Charles, a party stalwart and Golding's brother-in-law, has surfaced as a likely contender from the traditionalist camp. But reports suggest that his expected backers may withdraw support and call on current Deputy Leader Audley Shaw, a Seaga loyalist, to enter the race.
According to the Don Anderson poll, a relatively minuscule 14 per cent of persons felt that Mr. Seaga's resignation will not be good for the JLP, while five per cent were not sure whether the decision was right or wrong. But of those who felt Mr. Seaga's exit is best for the party, it was determined that most believed it is simply time for a new person to take the reins of power.
TIME FOR SOMEONE ELSE
"Fifty five per cent of those who feel the decision by Mr. Seaga to be the right one for the JLP, feel that it is time someone else be given a chance to lead the party," the pollster said in his analysis. He noted that, while the view was widely held across all demographic units, young persons were particularly vocal on the issue with over 62 per cent in agreement.
However, 31 per cent of those who feel that Mr. Seaga's decision is wrong suggested that the JLP leader still has the leadership qualities to head the party. Another 18 per cent said that the party is destined to be weaker on his departure as leader.
