The hot issue of corruption ranked fourth among the Top 5 biggest issues cited by respondents

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Despite a 13 per cent reduction in murders so far this year, a significant number of Jamaicans believe that the country’s biggest challenge at present is crime and violence, the latest People’s National Party (PNP)-commissioned Don Anderson Poll has cited.

According to the data, which was gathered between June 8 and June 14, of the 1,012 people who were interviewed nationally, 45 per cent pointed to crime and violence as the main thing wrong with the country at present.

PNP General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell, outlined the poll findings at a party press conference on Tuesday.

In most opinion polls conducted locally over recent years, crime and violence have topped the list of major concerns among Jamaicans.

Additionally, each year, once murders escalate, there have been the usual frantic calls for the Government to address the issue with tough measures, and the Administration has responded with the imposition of states of emergency (SOEs).

So far this year, however, major crimes, especially murders, are down significantly.

The latest crime statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) indicated that 628 murders have been committed in Jamaica up to June 24 this year.

This is a 13.02 per cent decrease when compared to the 722 murders that were committed during a similar period last year.

Shootings are also down by 12.7 per cent, rape by 27.8 per cent, robbery by 24.2 per cent, and break-ins have also decreased by 11.6 per cent.

Overall, a total of 2,101 major crimes were recorded up to June 24, as against 2,507 that were recorded over the same period last year, representing a 16.2 per cent decrease.

In addition to crime and violence, the pollsters found that 16 per cent of respondents flagged the high cost of living as being among the top five biggest challenges being faced by those who were polled, while unemployment followed with 16 per cent.

The hot-button topic of corruption was only seen as a challenge for six per cent of the 1,012 persons who were surveyed.

Still, Campbell said the finding relative to corruption is “important”, as “this is an issue that is causing a lot of public debate.

“It is one around which the leader of the Opposition and members of the Shadow Cabinet have signed the Integrity Commission (IC) Code of Conduct. We’ve yet to see any member of the Government signing (the code of conduct),” he said.

Rounding out the top five biggest challenges facing Jamaicans, based on the poll findings, was unemployment among the youth. Just three per cent of those polls flagged that issue as a difficulty for them in the country at present.

The national unemployment rate for July 2022 was 6.6 per cent, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), one of the lowest in the country’s history.

Opposition leader not worried about PM Andrew Holness hitting the streets 

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People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding says he’s not worried following recent comments by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that, with his popularity, he can turn the perceived tide of discontent against the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) by hitting the political ground. 

General Elections are not due until 2025, but there are signs that the two political parties could shift gears as local government elections, expected by February 2024, draw near.

Golding on Tuesday said June’s opinion polls showing the PNP ahead of the JLP is an indication that his party has been “turning it up” in relation to their work on the ground across the country, and is getting their message across to citizens.

He shared, too, that the Jamaican people have passed the stage where Holness’ popularity can influence their votes, and they are more focused on “wanting to see change for their future generations”.

The Don Anderson opinion polls, commissioned by the PNP and conducted between June 8 and June 14 this year, found that 30.2 per cent of electors would mark their ballots for the PNP, while 25 per cent indicated a preference for the JLP.

Of the 1,012 people surveyed, 53.3 per cent said the Andrew Holness-led Administration was leading Jamaica in the wrong direction, while 15.6 per cent said the country was being led in the right direction under the JLP. 

In another category in the latest Don Anderson poll, 47.6 per cent of respondents said the JLP-led Government does not deserve a third term in office, while 31.6 per cent said they deserved another term.

However, Holness continues to lead Golding in the favourability ratings, with the former being viewed positively by 54.5 per cent of respondents and 53.2 per cent of persons viewing the PNP leader positively. 

With his party losing ground in recent polls and negative comments swirling about in the public domain, Holness declared in Parliament last Tuesday that he could seemingly turn the tide of discontent. 

“Madam Speaker, let it be well known that this prime minister has the ability, anytime I feel, to turn it on to get back in the public domain and let the people know that we will not be misled,” he declared. 

Golding, who was seemingly encouraged by his party’s position in the latest PNP-commissioned polls on Tuesday, said he was not concerned by that political declaration by Holness. 

“I don’t know what the prime minister thinks is the current situation in the country,” he said.

“For him (Holness) to think that he can suddenly just repeat, like he said, turning it on and achieving popularity, given where Jamaica is today…, I believe the Jamaican people have passed that stage now,” Golding argued.

Golding said he was not worried about the JLP and its leader “turning it up” ahead of a general election or local government election.

“What I am worried about is what we (the PNP) do, which is that we are prepared, that we are resolute, we are vigilant, that we are organised, we are united. So the Jamaican people can know that the PNP will not sell dem out, and the PNP will defend their rights and defend their interests,” said Golding.

Additionally, the PNP president and Opposition leader insisted that his political party has been “turning it on”, which, he said, is why the party’s overall poll numbers continue to rise. 

When quizzed on the cost of the PNP’s efforts in “turning it up” relative to their political work nationally, Golding said: “The PNP has never primarily relied on money to achieve good fortune with the Jamaican people. 

“It’s all about organisation and message for us, and I think that will continue to be the case. So, I don’t think money has been a big factor in what you’re seeing in terms of the trend in the polls,” Golding said.