The poll revealed that a majority of Kittitians and Nevisians had a negative perspective about Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas and the ruling St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party.
Don Anderson of Market Research Service Ltd, which conducted the poll, said on Thursday 6th September that the poll that was carried out between April and May of this year found that Kittitians and Nevisians were unconvinced that the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party can deliver on its election promises.
He said that there were a number of constituencies, such as Douglas’ home district of St. Christopher 6, where the Prime Minister’s favourability rating was more positive than negative, but in others, even those controlled by a member of his party, is more negative.
He also said that there were several respondents who were indecisive about the Prime Minister on the management of the economy with persons not giving an opinion.
Anderson however explained that a large majority of persons during the middle of a term are usually unsure of the government’s performance and that was the case here in St. Kitts and Nevis.
A question was posed about the moral authority of the Prime Minister to lead the country.
The question stated “Dr. Douglas does not have the moral authority to lead the country, do you agree or disagree?”
Anderson disclosed that 42% said they agreed, while 35% disagreed, with 23% saying they could not decide how they felt on this particular issue.
The total sample of persons used for the poll was 400, from all constituencies across the federation. They interviewed adult persons who were registered to vote.
However, two and half years in politics is a lifetime and any party in office would still have enough time and opportunity to address the key negatives that emerged in any survey of the feelings of the electorate. The poll results therefore ought not to be embraced as the status that would prevail up to the next poll in 2015.
What the poll results do offer, however, is an opportunity for the opposition PAM, who are shortly due to elect a new National Leader, to capitalize on the shortcomings of the incumbent. To do this they would have to strategically craft a new program of initiatives that would re-package and sell a new image that would be more acceptable to the electorate. Central in this image make-over would be the appearance of readiness to launch a campaign and if successful, in a position to form a strong administration.
But PAM would have to establish its priorities right, with the announcement of new candidates for five constituencies that became vacant shortly after the 2010 elections.