6 / 11
21%
20%
20%
16%
9%
9%
4%
1%
Chart 1: Views on PNP Skipping the National Debate
Felt cheated/political
right (65)
Felt insulted (60)
Robbed of chance to
interrogate Andrew (61)
Damaged election vibes
(48)
Thought it was good
strategy to skip (28)
Debate is waste of time
(26)
Debate reignited dislike
for Portia (13)
No response on issue (3)
Table 4: Respondents Offended by PNP Skipping the National Debate by Gender, SES and Age
SES/AGE
MALES
FEMALES
N
%
N
%
PN 18‐34Y
5
17
20
53
PN35+Y
8
21
23
46
UM 18‐34Y
14
50
32
84
UM 35+Y
10
28
26
57
The data in Table 5 and Chart 2 show the distribution (in percentage) of the other responses to the
debate issue by the categorical variables. The outstanding areas are highlighted in red.
•
Wanting to question the JLP about the proposed tax break:
All 14 respondents in the study
from the merchant class had concerns about the proposed tax break. They argued that “any
such thing about tax affects your business negatively or positively…and Andrew gets to drop this
as a bait for the poor people and walk away…and no chance to hear what it is about…they have
not given any convincing detail…there is need for clarity.” These 14 merchants helped to push
the UM groups to result higher percentages.
•
Damaged election vibes:
With the exception of 3 UM mature females who grew up as working
class, only the poor and near‐poor missed the debate for the purpose of “setting the stage for