Dear Editor,

The findings of the latest NACTA poll conducted in late March in Trinidad reveal voters overwhelmingly want Basdeo Panday to step down as Leader of the Opposition and as Leader of the  United National Congress, so as to give his party a chance at the next elections. Voters feel as long as Panday is involved in the politics of the UNC, the PNM will win re-election. A majority of voters overwhelmingly said they will not support an opposition led by Panday.

The poll shows support for the UNC has shrunk considerably since the last general elections and there are mixed feelings among voters about any opposition tie-up with the UNC.

Supporters of another opposition party, COP, in particular, are opposed to any accommodation with a UNC led by Panday, but are supportive of an alliance with elements of the UNC in an electoral contest against the PNM.

The poll interviewed 462 individuals reflecting the demographic composition of the population.

Some 87% of those polled feel the UNC needs to be reformed. Asked if they will support the UNC in the next election if it is led by Panday, only 11% said yes, a steep drop from the 30% popular support the UNC obtained in the last general election in 2007. Only 7% of voters feel Panday should remain as leader of the UNC.

Voters also overwhelmingly oppose a plan by Panday to expel members who have been calling for him to step down as leader.

Asked if they feel the opposition parties should unite to contest the next election, there were mixed opinions, with PNM supporters opposing an alliance and UNC supporters backing an alliance.

However, COP supporters vehemently oppose any team-up with the UNC led by Panday or any of his loyalists, feeling they will be manipulated by Panday to prevent change. Surprisingly, many opposition supporters say they prefer Patrick Manning over Basdeo Panday as the choice for Prime Minister.

The poll also shows UNC MPs who are defending Panday have been losing popular support.  Kamla Persad Bissesar, a deputy leader of the party, has seen her support shrink considerably by almost 50% because of her defence of Panday remaining as leader of the party. People simply despise Panday and are losing respect for those who surround him.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram