Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling PNM Government, Prime Minister Patrick Manning maintains a higher approval rating than any other current party leader.

And, if an election were to be called now, the PNM will romp home to a landslide victory because voters do not consider any of the two opposition forces or their dissident factions as a viable alternative, according to the latest NACTA poll which was conducted over the last few weeks.

A majority of voters urge the leaders of the opposition parties to step aside and hold internal elections to allow for younger, more dynamic leadership that can pose a serious challenge to Manning.  Unless there is political change in the opposition camps, there is virtually no chance for the opposition to win an election any time in the foreseeable future. The PNM is in the enviable position of increasing its majority at the next election, the poll said.

The findings of the poll were obtained from interviews with 820 adults. According to the findings, Manning’s approval rating of 39 per cent bests Panday’s 18 per cent and Dookeran’s 16 per cent.  Panday and Dookeran are unpopular not the least because of voters’ perception of their unwillingness to put aside their personal ambitions for a greater good. Voters see Panday and Dookeran as representing the status quo and urge them to step aside for new leadership. Asked if they believe the UNC has a chance of winning a general election under Panday’s leadership, only two per cent said yes while only five per cent of voters feel COP can win an election under Dookeran’s leadership. However, a majority of voters feel a united opposition under an acceptable leader will pose a serious challenge to the PNM.

Asked how they will vote if the leadership remains unchanged, the PNM is polling 33 per cent popular support compared with UNC’s 13 per cent, COP’s 12 per cent and RamJack’s 10 per cent with 32 per cent of the voters undecided.