An opinion survey conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (Nacta) in Tobago over the last week shows that incumbent People’s National Movement (PNM) political leader Dr Keith Rowley has a four to one lead over Penny Beckles in the party’s internal elections slated for May 18. The findings show Rowley leads Penny by wide margins in the parliamentary constituencies of Tobago East and West.
The findings were from interviews conducted over the last week with 260 Tobagonians who identified themselves as voting members of the PNM. The poll also interviewed 600 others who are supporters but not financial members of the PNM, as well as supporters of other parties. The poll, coordinated by Dr. Vishnu Bisram, has a margin of error of 4 per cent.
The poll’s findings show Penny has high likeability ratings among non-supporters of the PNM but among rank and file PNM supporters and financial members, she has low political traction as leader. An overwhelming majority of PNM supporters view Rowley as a stronger leader than Penny, and they say she should not have challenged Rowley for leadership of the party.
According to the poll, among PNM supporters, Dr. Rowley is more trusted (48 per cent to 34 per cent) and preferred (54 per cent to 29 per cent) over Penny as leader of the PNM. Also, PNM supporters say Rowley is a stronger leader over Penny by 59 per cent to 26 per cent. In terms of voting among party members, Rowley leads Penny by more than four to one—69 per cent to 15 per cent in Tobago.