Fri | Sep 20, 2024

Morgan sidesteps questions on JLP trailing in poll, his performance

Published:Wednesday | May 1, 2024 | 1:50 PM
Morgan told journalists that the latest poll was not a matter that was discussed among government ministers. - File photo

Information Minister Robert Morgan on Wednesday declined to comment on a recent People's National Party (PNP)-commissioned Don Anderson poll which gives the opposition party a 7.8 percentage point lead over the ruling Jamaica Labour Party(JLP). 

He also said Prime Minister Holness will judge his performance as the Government's chief spokesman. 

In the national survey, which was conducted between April 4 and 12,  36.8 per cent of respondents indicated that if a general election were to be held shortly, they would vote for the PNP, versus 29 per cent who said they would vote for the JLP.

The latest figures are the clearest indication yet that the opposition party is finding its footing and represent a sharp reversal in its fortunes on the back of a tumultuous period, which resurfaced in 2016 following defeat in that year's general elections.

A general election is constitutional due by September 2025. 

At a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday morning, Morgan told journalists that the latest poll was not a matter that was discussed among government ministers. 

“That wasn't discussed at Cabinet, so I have no comment on that,” he said. 

The Minister also sidesteps questions regarding his performance as Information Minister, amid comments from fellow party members that the messaging of the party is not being communicated effectively. 

“The Information Minister's duty is to transfer information from the Cabinet to the country which I do here every Wednesday…additionally to manage agencies such as the Jamaica Education Service from a oversight policy perspective- PBCJ (Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica), Jamaica Information Service and so on, the assessment of my performance or lack therefore is determined by the Prime Minister's actions and decisions,” he said. 

Morgan resigned as chairman of the JLP's public relations committee following a meeting of the party's central executive last month. 

- Sashana Small

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