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Dr Smith & Hon Fahie in dead heat for preferred VI leader- Opinion Poll

- If Premier Smith was to give up leadership there is a three way tie on who should take over; Hon Julian Fraser RA is second choice on VIP side
According to an opinion poll released today, April 3, 2018 Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Orlando D. Smith (AL) is the preferred leader of the Virgin Islands at this time with 20% of persons responding in his favour, followed by Opposition Leader Andrew A. Fahie (R1) with 17% and Education Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) with 15%. Photo: CADRES
VIslanders, according to the opinion poll, generally believe this is a good time for a leadership change in the National Democratic Party (NDP) but not in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). Photo: CADRES
VIslanders, according to the opinion poll, generally believe this is a good time for a leadership change in the National Democratic Party (NDP) but not in the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). Photo: CADRES
Choices for alternative leadership for the National Democratic Party (above) and Virgin Islands Party (VIP). Photo: CADRES
Choices for alternative leadership for the National Democratic Party (above) and Virgin Islands Party (VIP). Photo: CADRES
An opinion poll conducted by the Barbados based Caribbean Development Research Service Inc., (CADRES) has showed that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, is in a statistical dead heat with Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, as the Territory’s preferred Leader. Photo: VINO/File
An opinion poll conducted by the Barbados based Caribbean Development Research Service Inc., (CADRES) has showed that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, is in a statistical dead heat with Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, as the Territory’s preferred Leader. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Despite many people saying he is fast asleep and does not have full control of his government, an opinion poll released moments ago by the Peter W. Wickham's Barbados based Caribbean Development Research Service Inc., (CADRES) showed that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) is in a statistical dead heat with Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as the Territory’s preferred Leader.

According to the survey, the question was asked ‘Who is the preferred leader at this time?’ It showed that 20% of persons responding prefers Dr Smith while 17% prefers Hon Fahie, which is within the margin of error.

It showed that the Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) polled third with 15% and Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), the Health and Social Development Minister, polled fourth with 8%. Another 20% did not answer the question or didn’t care.

Dead heat among Hons Walwyn, Skelton & Pickering

In another interesting revelation, when asked if there should be a change in leadership within the two major parties- Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and the National Democratic Party (NDP)- some 51% said it’s time for an NDP leadership change with 15% saying no.

Meanwhile, respondents when asked if there should be a leadership change in the VIP, only 23% said yes while 40% said no.

When asked who should be the preferred alternative to Hon Smith, some 28% said Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) while 26% said Hon Walwyn, a statistical dead heat. Hon Skelton polled 25%, also showing there is a three way tie for the NDP leadership preference by the responders.

On the VIP side, 61% said Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) was their second choice for VIP leader with former Legislator Irene Penn O’Neal with 14%.

Public wants Smith to retire

For the next general election constitutionally due by early 2019, when asked about anticipated leadership on the NDP side, some 37% wants Dr Smith to retire and 32% expects him to continue. While on the VIP side, 75% wants Hon Fahie to stay and lead and a mere 1% thinks he should retire.

This is the second public opinion poll done and released by Mr Wickham of CADRES, who spoke exclusively to our newsroom today April 3, 2018 but declined to reveal his client.

The earlier public opinion poll released last week showed the public wanting a new political party and thinking the country is going in the wrong direction. Some 700 respondents were surveyed.

Mr Julian Willock from the local polling firm Advance Marketing and Professional Services, when contacted, declined to comment but said “Mr Wickham’s work is credible, and respected in the region.”

See link to opinion poll in its entirety:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/upload/documents/BVI_Political_Opinion_Poll_Release_II_03_April_2018.pdf

38 Responses to “Dr Smith & Hon Fahie in dead heat for preferred VI leader- Opinion Poll”

  • wize up (03/04/2018, 19:41) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    I make my prediction after the actual counting of those votes(projections are great but wishful thinking !!!!)✍
    • Exactly (04/04/2018, 08:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I remember taking part in a survey some time ago, but all of these questions were not asked. Maybe there was another survey. Additionally, this is just the result of persons who saw and took part and not the majority of the voting public who many are not on internet. The same person with different computers and phones can do the survey multiple times as well. This does not make it news, and a poll is not reality
    • Smoke Screen (04/04/2018, 12:20) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Propaganda - that's all this is.
  • voter (03/04/2018, 19:54) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow
  • gkefkkdakxq (03/04/2018, 20:49) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was not called!!
  • This time (03/04/2018, 21:06) Like (37) Dislike (6) Reply
    This time I am taking my chances with Fahie and the VIP.
    • @Thistime (05/04/2018, 17:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Have fun. I am taking no chances. I looking for a sure bet. Fahie and the VIP calling people corrupt but there record is soiled as well.
  • Interesting (03/04/2018, 21:08) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    The VIP is in good standing because they are ranked so high to a sitting government and the VIP has not started as yet. I am with VIP now.
  • Yes (03/04/2018, 21:09) Like (27) Dislike (23) Reply
    Bald head isn't as popular as he thought. LOL. The wall money run out.
  • My Take (03/04/2018, 21:11) Like (27) Dislike (7) Reply
    I wasn't a Fahie fan but that was because as a former NDP supporter they had program me and others against Fahie. I am now de-programmed. Fahie ALL the way!!!!
  • Youth (03/04/2018, 21:11) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    Fahie is REAL PEOPLE!
  • well well well (03/04/2018, 21:16) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    Another NDP initiated report that back fired on them.
  • ccc (03/04/2018, 22:09) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I know who the client is vino you sleeping again
  • fact (03/04/2018, 23:00) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP is the most corrupt government ever. They must go!
  • Just Woke (03/04/2018, 23:05) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    Sounds like an accurate pole.. Always think of smith and Fahie as. six and half dozen...
  • HMMM (03/04/2018, 23:37) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    poll wha poll...ayo trying to put words in the people mouth
  • Really (04/04/2018, 07:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    What was the population sample? How large was the n? Is this just an "opinion" poll of the general public? Or were actual voters polled? Come on, from one researcher to another. validity? reliability? I need more data please.
    • same (04/04/2018, 11:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly what I thought! The population sample could be 10 persons. Without actual information on the methodology used this is simply propaganda! Smdh
  • FAKE NEWS! (04/04/2018, 07:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    People do not be fooled be the FAKE survey. It does not represent the fact. Great spin NDP but we shall not be deterred. ZBVI and online media should have investigate before posting. Who were involved in this so called survey and was it scientific?
    • Clearly (06/04/2018, 19:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      clearly you have no idea what is going on eh. Clearly this is non government site and this is done by a group against NDP, not NDP. Learn to read between the lines.
  • voiceofthevoiceless (04/04/2018, 07:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Analysis of the Leadership polls suggests that Premier Smith is in BIG trouble. To have only 20% preferring you as as their leader and you are the incumbent does not bode well for your political future. Now would be a good time to bow out Doc, but will your wife allow that? What is even more disconcerting is that more than 50% want so see a change in leadership of the NDP, although they are split on his successor. NDP needs an internal election right now. Chances are this poll was another internal attempt to remove the Doc. These NDP guys play secretive and dirty games.

    On the other hand Andrew is looking good as he has an upside in age and experience for his age. 17 % is a good start that you can build upon but he needs to bring a more positive perspective going forward with solutions and rebuild his party with an unified and optimistic approach. Sell himself as he did a great job in the 1st after the Hurricanes and if he can do that well there then imagine what he can do for the country. They will try to smear him now as NDP got the money behind them, so this would be a dirty election. He must defend where necessary and try to resist the temptation to descend in to the pit with them as that is what they want.

    Early days yet and a long way to go for both sides. This is just a poll and at the end of the day it is votes that count so turning out the vote is essential to a positive outcome.
  • My poll (04/04/2018, 08:49) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    The election is a toss up there might be only 2 the most 3 new faces after the 2019 elections; on VIP side Willock at large and Vincent FROM VG for the ninth

    then there might be one other surprise, everything else remain status Quoto. Now take this to the bank or to your mother's grave!!!
  • Fake News (04/04/2018, 09:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr Smith needs to go. All you stop it.
  • My big switch (04/04/2018, 10:04) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    I'll be the first to admit, I was team NDP for a long time. After a lot of dissatisfaction with the NDP I have changed over to VIP.
  • Political View (04/04/2018, 10:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey Mr. Fahie, hope you are reading and taking in those poles, a wake up call.

    See the "For the next general election constitutionally due by early 2019, when asked about anticipated leadership on the NDP side, some 37% wants Dr Smith to retire and 32% expects him to continue. While on the VIP side, 75% wants Hon Fahie to stay and lead and a mere 1% thinks he should retire."

    Brother, where is your party, who are the members? If election is constitutionally due within 9 to 12 months what are you doing, when will we know who your party members are? what if sleepy my Zzzzzzz call a snap election, who you going to run with or who is going to run with you. Enquiry minds want to know!!!!!
  • Diplomat (04/04/2018, 10:18) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who commissioned this survey? What is the confidence level, 95%? What are the errors, if any, in this survey, ie, sampling, coverage, measurement........etc? Should the people consumed the data with strong dose of caution? Does this survey reflect a)important issues, b)policies, c)policy support, d)candidates quality, e)decision making........etc.

    Ok. This survey is useless, ill-timed and self serving. To often it is used as a cliche, but the BVI is literally at a crossroad and in a crisis and needs planning, organization, leadership..........etc to put it on a sustainable path. As such we cannot be leaning on some survey to tell us which leader to choose to lead us out of crisis. Instead, potential leaders should be communicating to us their 5-, 10-,15- and 20-year plans, programmes, policies, strategies.......etc for rebuilding the territory. Furthermore, they also need to tell us how they are going to fund their policies initiatives.
  • smh (04/04/2018, 10:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This survey is most likely inaccurate either way since it probably didn't reach an adequate and broad enough cross section of the population.
  • Sawda (04/04/2018, 10:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great House Man Strikes again,making sure his body stay on top for the public to see..#Fake News..
  • HAHAHA (04/04/2018, 10:36) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    What the hell Richard Branson name doing up there? I am so confused!!
  • Donald J. Trump (04/04/2018, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fake news, Fake news. All those lies the press is telling. Ask that guy Wickham who will win the nx election in Barbados. I am sure he tell u Owen Arthur will win. More Fake news.
  • So wait (04/04/2018, 12:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So, who cast these votes? lol i had no clue this was going on.
  • Observer (04/04/2018, 13:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was organized by the Great House Man..Nicker Bellooo..He want to be in things but he have no ratings.He Gummie Bear collecteted millions of dollars and feed it to the Lemars and Turtles and didn't give the poor people a cent..# Irma # Hoes..
  • weed (04/04/2018, 14:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr is slowly but certainly consolidating his hold on the NDP
  • weed (04/04/2018, 14:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can get very interesting come next election.!!.!
  • soup (05/04/2018, 10:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’m NOT voting party. I’m voting for individuals. You should stop voting parties. Aren’t you guys learning?


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