(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More than a third of adults in Jamaica want Bruce Golding to remain in office as prime minister, according to a poll by Market Research Services Ltd. published in The Jamaica Observer. 37 per cent of respondents think Golding is the best person to lead country at this time, while 27 per cent would prefer former prime minister Portia Simpson Miller.

In September 2007, Jamaican voters renewed the 60-member House of Representatives. Final results gave the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)—led by Golding—50.14 per cent of the vote and 33 seats, and the People’s National Party (PNP) 49.79 per cent and 27 seats. Golding was sworn in as Jamaica’s new prime minister, substituting Simpson Miller. The PNP had been in office since 1989.

Earlier this month, PNP vice-president Peter Phillips said he will challenge Simpson Miller for the party’s leadership. 12 per cent of respondents to the survey think Phillips is the best person to lead Jamaica at this time.

On Jul. 14, Simpson Miller released a statement in response to Phillips’ announcement, saying, "Not having heard directly from Comrade Phillips, I am relying on the truth of these reports as I acknowledge the democratic right of any member of the party to aspire to any elected position within our movement. (...) The People’s National Party has an enviable reputation for internal democracy; this is, however, the first time in our history that a sitting president of the party is being challenged and in the year of our 70th anniversary no less."

Polling Data

Who is the best person to lead Jamaica at this time?

Source: Market Research Services Ltd. / The Jamaica Observer
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Jamaican adults, conducted from Jun. 25 to Jul. 2, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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