PLP Report Addresses Ingraham Factor

Wed, Aug 27th 2008, 12:00 AM

The 2007 general election was driven in large part by the comparison between Hubert Ingraham's perceived "straight-talking, forceful" style and Perry Christie's "weak and indecisive" image, according to a secret post-election survey.

The closely-guarded Progressive Liberal Party report, revealed for the first time in The Nassau Guardian yesterday, highlights that while both leaders were popular and were seen to have performed well as prime ministers, "the focus of the two leaders redounded to the benefit of the FNM [Free National Movement]".

"Voters saw Ingraham as a straight-talking, forceful leader," said the report. "Most respondents indicated that the main reason they voted for the FNM was because of Ingraham's leadership. Moreover, the principal reason people did not vote for the PLP was because of Christie's image as being weak and indecisive."

According to the report, it was Ingraham's leadership that drove the FNM vote.

Researchers from the U.S.-based international research and consulting firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, read a list of reasons why some people voted for the FNM and then asked which two were the most important in deciding to vote for the party.

Seventy-five percent of those surveyed responded that it was Ingraham's leadership; 41 percent said they thought the FNM would bring change; 23 percent said they would fight corruption; 19 percent said the party would stop land from being sold off to foreigners; and 13 percent said the party would reduce crime.

The report ? dated June 2007 ? noted that much of the public considered the current prime minister "autocratic", and apparently PLP supporters agreed. Because the survey was taken shortly after the May 2 poll, it does not reflect current perceptions of either Christie or Ingraham.

"In fact, the principal reason that the PLP voters give for not having voted for the FNM is that Ingraham is dictatorial," the survey said.

To the question, "Which two of the following were the most important for you in deciding to not vote for the FNM?", 61 percent said it was the dictatorial nature of Hubert Ingraham; 30 percent said it was the prospect of Brent Symonette becoming deputy prime minister; 27 percent said the party was too much for the rich and powerful; 20 percent said the party ran corrupt governments in the past; 18 percent said it would take The Bahamas back to the past; and 13 percent said the FNM opposed national health insurance.

The leadership issue was raised frequently by both parties on the campaign trail, but it was apparent long before the campaign began that leadership styles would be a plank in both parties' platforms, given the stark differences between Ingraham and Christie.

Ingraham, who had stepped down as FNM leader just before the 2002 general election, was returned as party leader at the party's 2005 convention.

The PLP jumped on the opportunity to highlight the perception of Ingraham as an "autocratic" leader who rarely consulted before making decisions.

And the FNM, using a string of alleged scandals in the then-governing party to bolster its case, pointed to Christie's perceived "weak and indecisive" leadership style.

On the campaign trail, Ingraham often referred to the need for "effective" leadership, repeatedly citing it as one of the "big problems with this PLP government".

Researchers suggested that there were two ways for Christie to regain the advantage relative to Ingraham.

"The first is to highlight his relative strength as someone who is in touch with and concerned about people," said the survey. "That would imply emphasizing a social agenda and critiquing the government for neglecting people's needs at the expense of the rich and powerful. The second would be to seek opportunities to show a more forceful, decisive side."

It was also suggested that the PLP could show it was different by opening up party deliberations, to show it wanted all members to have a say in the party.

"For example, the selection of the leader might take place via a public vote in which all PLPs (or even all voters) could participate, not just more prominent members. What an extraordinary contrast that would show with the FNM and its exclusive style of leadership."

The survey, entitled "Restoring the PLP's Primacy", was a closely guarded secret up to now, and was quietly commissioned by the party's leadership to provide some insight into why the party lost the May 2007 poll. According to party insiders, even some members of Christie's inner circle were not aware of the survey, or fully aware of the results.

Surveyors polled more than 1,000 Bahamians in New Providence, Grand Bahama and several Family Islands, according to a PLP source familiar with the survey. The firm had also done pre-election work for the PLP.

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner has worked with corporations, issue groups, and political campaigns throughout the United States and around the world, according to its website. The group cites as some of its clients, South African President Nelson Mandela, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. President Bill Clinton, and U.S. vice-president Al Gore.

By ERICA WELLS

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