At left is Patterson - IAN ALLEN PHOTO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER. At right is Golding - NORMAN GRINDLEY PHOTO/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER.
Robert Hart, Assistant News Editor
WITH JUST under two years to go before the next general election is constitutionally due, the governing People's National Party (PNP) has managed to maintain only a fragile one per cent lead in the race to lead the nation, according to the latest national survey.
The findings of a recent Gleaner-commissioned Don Anderson poll show that 35 per cent of registered voters have indicated that they intend to vote for the PNP while 34 per cent would prefer to see the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) at the nation's helm.
However, with the poll carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 per cent, the two political parties jockeyingfor future state power have registered a virtual dead heat for the third time since July 2004.
But the survey also noted that a significant 13 per cent of persons said they had not yet made up their minds, while another 16 per cent refused to answer the question.
Fieldwork for the study was conducted between October 18-November 8, and included interviews with a nationally represen-tative sample of 1,000 persons aged 18 years and older across all parishes.
LEADERSHIP BATTLE
In July 2004, the JLP led the PNP by a slim 2.2 per cent as the nation came to terms with the impending departure of then Opposition Leader Edward Seaga.
However, as the JLP dragged itself out of a bitter leadership battle that culminated with the rise of Bruce Golding to its head, the PNP grabbed a 7.9 per cent lead in February this year with 32.4 per cent support, compared to the JLP's 24.5 per cent.
Political pundits and JLP officials suggested that, as the party settled into its new framework, it would begin to gather momentum.
Last June, the PNP lost ground, garnering 30.5 per cent support from registered voters while 28.4 per cent said they would vote for the JLP.
SLIGHT LEAD
The latest poll, therefore, shows notable increases in the number of persons who would vote for either of the two parties, but a one per cent fall in the PNP's lead.
According to the survey, the PNP mainly enjoys support from females, older persons, those in the upper income bracket and persons from Kingston, St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary.
The JLP, on the other hand, gains its primary support from males, younger persons, the lower-income cohort, and persons from Kingston, St. Thomas, Trelawny, St. Ann and St. Elizabeth.
