Forum poll suggests PCs and NDP closing gap with Liberals in N.L. election

A poll from Toronto-based Forum Research suggeststhat the Progressive Conservatives and NDP are gaining ground on the Liberals ahead of the Newfoundland and Labradorelection on Nov. 30, countering the results of another poll released earlier this week.

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In a random sampling of 842 Newfoundland and Labrador voters, the Forum poll found that 52 per cent plannedto vote Liberal, 29 per centProgressive Conservative and 19 per centNDP.

An earlier poll by Forum Research just after the writ dropped had the Liberals at 65 per cent, the PCsat 21 per centand the NDP at 13 per cent.

While the poll was conducted with random sampling, a majority of those surveyed584were fromSt. John's and the rest ofthe Avalon Peninsula.

• Read the full results of Forum Research's poll

The poll surveyed118 peoplefrom Grand Falls-Windsor and central Newfoundland, 115 from Corner Brook and western Newfoundland, and 25 from Labrador.

Some voters may be reconsidering

In a news release,Lorne Bozinoff, the president of Forum Research speculated that the change in polling numbers was a result of voters reconsidering in light of widespread predictions ofaLiberal sweep.

"Make no mistake, the Liberals still sport a huge lead, but probably not enough for a legislative sweep," said Bozinoff.

Voters torn between Ball and Davis

The Forum poll was conducted on Nov. 24, a day after CBC News hostedatelevised debatebetween Dwight Ball,EarleMcCurdyand Paul Davis.

The results suggest that voters are torn betweenthe Liberals and Progressive Conservatives when it comes to which party has the best leader.

Dwight Ball wasthe choice of 34 per cent of those polled,while 30 per centsawPaul Davis as the best option to lead.

Just 10 per cent picked the NDP'sEarle McCurdy. The remaining 26 per centwereundecided.

Contrast to CRA poll

The Forumpoll stands in contrast to a Corporate Research Associates (CRA)poll released earlier this week that showed the numbers trending in the opposite direction, with the Liberals gaining at the expense of the NDP and Progressive Conservatives.

Unlike the CRA poll,the Forum poll was conducted over the phone with an automated telephone result system.

The results, which are considered accurate withinthree percentage points, 19 times out of 20,come as party leaders continue to make last ditch efforts to target voters, with only four days left in the election campaign.

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