Almost half of Vincies give ULP poor rating – poll

Almost half of the people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines polled by a Barbados-based research entity gave the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) a poor rating, just under two years before general elections are constitutionally due.

The ULP received a poor rating from 23.3% of respondents while 26.4% gave the party more than a 2 out of 5 rating, 23 years after it was first elected to office.

The survey found that only 20% of respondents thought the ULP was doing a good job, whereas 28.4% thought the party was doing a fair job.

The poll concluded that given the parliamentary composition and electoral results over the last few elections, the 28% of respondents that believe that ULP is doing a fair job determines the electoral results.

The “St. Vincent and The Grenadines Electoral Review National and Constituency Perspective, 2024” was conducted to measure the sentiments of Vincentians on matters of political leadership, candidacy and national matters of concern in the country.

This survey was commissioned by the Caribbean Institute for Governance and Policy Research (CIGPR) with the lead consultant being political scientist Devaron Bruce, a project officer and lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

The polls said that 35.2% of respondents approved of the performance, as prime minister, of Ralph Gonsalves, who turned 78 on Aug. 8.

“This is particularly notable as prime minister Gonsalves is outperforming the ULP as only 20% of respondence (sic) gave a positive assessment of the ULP, whereas, 40% of respondents disapproved of prime minister Gonsalves’ performance.”

CIGPR said this 40% is generally in line with the level of disapproval of the ULP.

“A notably high percent (sic) of respondence (sic), 25%, indicated that they were unsure or won’t share their perceptions of prime minister Gonsalves’ leadership. This percentage is in line with the percentage of person who rate the ULP as fair.

“Traditionally, wont say or unsure voters tend to vote with the government as persons who are supportive of change are generally more forthcoming in their responses. Therefore, these won’t say or unsure respondence (sic) likely fit into the ‘fair’ rating category for the ULP,” CIGPR said.

Meanwhile, 32% of respondents approved of the performance of Opposition Leader Godwin Friday.

CIGPR said this is “relatively in line with Dr Gonsalves’ approval of 35.2%. Additionally, his disapproval numbers are relatively in line with Dr Gonsalves’ at 42.4% and 39.2% respectively.

“It is also of note that 24.8% of respondence (sic) were unsure of the performance of Dr Friday, and these are likely swing or apathetic voters.”

Regarding Vincentians’ appetite for electing a younger leader, 53.5% are supportive, whereas 24% of respondents rejected the idea of electing a younger leader.

The polls said that 22% of respondents indicated that they were unsure as to whether a younger leadership should be elected.

“This response provides some indication that there is broad-based support for change considering the age group of both political leaders,” CIGPR said.

The survey was conducted using a digital instrument with in-person surveying between June 1 and 16 in all 15 constituencies and the results were released today (Wednesday).

There were 1,123 respondents – 48% males and 51% females — with a 99% response rate to the questions.

Regarding the age of respondents, 28.95% were aged 18-30, 38.34% were aged 31-50, 20.75% were aged 50-65 and 11.97% were above the age of 65.

Of the respondents, 30.6% were fully employed, 15.8% were employed part-time, 23% were self-employed and 30% were unemployed.