Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Opposition Leader Bruce Golding. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) was last night expected to discuss its leader, Bruce Golding's sagging performance in recent opinion polls.
Yesterday, the party's information spokesperson, Dwight Nelson, said the result of The Gleaner-commissioned Don Anderson poll would have been placed on last night's agenda of the party's Standing Committee.
"This is something we are going to discuss," Mr. Nelson said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Golding's position as JLP leader is uncertain, one political analyst believes.
The observation from Lloyd B. Smith follows Sunday's poll which showed that 45 per cent of Jamaicans think his performance was ordinary.
Another 33 per cent believe his performance was downright poor. A little more than 20 per cent felt his performance was positive.
Mr. Golding assumed the JLP leadership in February, this year following the resignation of former party leader Edward Seaga.
"I think he's out of touch with the ordinary people although he may be in touch with Labourites," Mr. Smith told The Gleaner yesterday. "The major problem with Golding is that he has not been able to come across as an alternative leader for the country."
According to the political analyst, the JLP leader might be spending more time solidifying his base within the JLP to unite the party.
In the same poll, deputy JLP leader Audley Shaw was seen as the next best person to lead the party, followed by Pearnel Charles.
Mr. Smith believes that if Mr. Golding's performance continues to wane, the electorate will pay no more than a passing glance at the JLP alternatives.
"It's happening already," he stated. "I think Mr. Golding's tenure in the JLP is still tenuous. I don't think he's reached a point where he can relax."
