Submitted by Porridgeboy
It has been some time since I have made a contribution to the blog, but at this time I feel compelled to put pen to paper once again so as to state some facts.Since the May 5th and most recently the September 30th a political poll was published The member base of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) seems to have gone on a campaign to assassinate the character of pollster Peter Wickham who carried out the poll commissioned by the Nation newspaper .
I have never meet Mr Wickham but I know of his outstanding work as a pollster in Barbados and in the Caribbean. Needless to say wherever he has done his polling, political or otherwise he has always been correct. Mr Wickham was trained by the late Pat Emmanuel and then worked under him from 1994 until his death. He carried out his first poll in 1998 and has done so successfully since in Barbados and throughout the wider Caribbean. There is no doubt that he has been successful. The Cadres poll which he directs is no fly by night firm nor is it a hit and miss guess work organisation.
Polling is a science and somehow he seems to have perfected it and with every poll he puts his professional reputation on the line. This is why I do not understand the thinking of the members and or supporters of the DLP and especially some Ministers of Government. It makes you wonder if this is the same Peter Wickham who carried out the poll which was commission by the same Nation newspaper in 2008.
That poll predicted a win for the DLP and it was readily accepted. In fact they went to the length and breadth of Barbados championing the results. Is it not the same Cadres poll? What is the difference between the polls done in 2008, May 5th and September 30, 2012? What is the reason for this savage attack on the reputation of Mr Wickham? There seems to be an attempt by this administration to assassination the goodly gentleman’s character.
The latest attack came from Miss Maureen Holder, a talk show host on CBC who made some very obnoxious remarks about the Cadres poll. Maureen Holder was recently brought out of the wood work by VOB but quickly ran to CBC after Peter Wickham was dismissed. It appears she can sing not only in a higher range but also as she likes for her supper. I now call on Miss Holder to state her credentials and her success as a pollster in Barbados or anywhere else. Come on Miss Holder we are awaiting them.
Mr. Wickham himself, a political scientist, and not too long ago an advisor to the present government, has taken and handle this criticism as how a true professional would, knowing quite well, that he will be vindicated in the end.
I am of the view that any time 65% of the population calls for early election, it would seem to suggest that the present government is not they first choice. But instead of making a reality check Ministers are making statements such as “polls don’t vote and the leader boldly saying that he pays no attention to polls”. Well, so be it, time will tell.
Let me conclude by saying Mr Wickham will be vindicated in the end and very soon. To this government I say some of you will be given your orders to mount your horses very soon to ride back from hence you came and I do hope your leader will be
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