Significant shifts have occurred in the electoral preferences of socio-economic groups since the results of a Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll in early May.

A poll conducted by Johnson on June 18 and 19 among 1,008 residents in 84 communities islandwide found that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has attracted about 50 per cent more support from lower middle class electors over the period, while the People's National Party (PNP) dropped a point.

Electors in the numerically large lower classes increased their support for the PNP by seven percentage points, while the JLP picked up two points among this group.

Movement in upper class

While there has been movement in the relatively small upper class, this has not been significant enough to influence the overall political equation, given the size of this group.

The largest movement among classes, detected by Johnson's team in June, has occurred among electors who had indicated in May that they would not vote. This, perhaps, reflects a move by formerly uncommitted respondents of all classes to exercise their franchise in the upcoming election. For example, seven per cent of working class electors who were unwilling to vote in May, told Johnson's team in June, that they would vote in the upcoming election.

Johnson's June poll results place the PNP (38 per cent) ahead of the JLP (31 per cent) in party standings. This reflects a four-point advance in popular standings by each party since the May poll results; but the PNP has maintained its seven-point lead over the period.