Support for the governing Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, has fallen.

That’s according to the findings of the latest Nationwide/Bluedot Polls powered by Total Tools.

A three-year trend shows a significant decline in the number of Jamaicans who would support the JLP if general elections were called now.

It also shows that the two political parties are now essentially in a statistical dead heat among the electorate.

Chevon Campbell has the details.

It’s been seven years since the Jamaica Labour Party wrestled a slim one seat majority in Gordon House from the People’s National Party.

It’s clear then the party’s fortunes were in the ascendency.

At the end of the next contest the JLP picked up an additional 17 seats winning a super majority of 49.

But three years into the JLP’s second term and seven at the helm of government it’s clear its lustre is starting to wane.

Bluedot researchers took to the field in all 63 constituencies between February 22 and March 7.

They asked Jamaicans which party they would vote for if elections were called today.

A growing majority of Jamaicans remain either undecided or expressed no interest in voting at 52%.

This is up from 49% in 2022 and 41% in 2021.

Of those still committed to the electoral process only 24% would put their “X” beside the bell.

This is coming from a high of 37% in 2021 which in turn fell to 30% in 2022.

The declining standings of the JLP has allowed the PNP to close with their political rivals.

Twenty-one per cent of Jamaicans would put their mark beside the “head” if polls were called today.

This is a slight uptick from 2022 where only 18% aligned themselves to the PNP.

However, it remains one point lower than the party’s standings in 2021.

With the margin of error at plus or minus 2.7%, the two main political parties now have little separating them.

More than 90% of those polled were registered voters.

The results would suggest a 33 to 30 split in Gordon House in favour of the governing JLP had Jamaicans been called to the ballot.

A more than doubling of the Opposition’s current Lower House contingent of 14.

It may also go a far way in explaining the reluctance of the current administration in calling Local Government Elections.

With just over two years before General Elections are constitutionally due, Information Minister, Robert Morgan, believes the JLP is more than capable of turning around its fortunes.

It’s also clear Prime Minister Holness’ budget presentation was aimed at courting the growing number of Jamaicans disillusioned with both his leadership and his party.

Only time will tell if Jamaicans accept this overture.