Premier Dr. Ewart Brown?s election as Progressive Labour Party leader, and thus Premier, has paid immediate dividends for the party, according to the polls published in today?s Royal Gazette.

Dr. Brown?s favourability ratings stand above 50 percent and there has been a significant boost in the number of people who say they would vote for the PLP if an election was held now.

By contrast, Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert?s favourability has not changed much and nor have the UBP?s election prospects.

Since the poll was taken very soon after Dr. Brown became leader, he is still enjoying a honeymoon very much characterised by broad brush statements with little detail.

And it is worth noting that both Dame Jennifer Smith and Alex Scott enjoyed ratings in the polls in the early months of their administrations that were significantly higher than Dr. Brown?s are now.

That does not mean that Dr. Brown?s popularity ? and that of the PLP ? will inevitably fall. It only means that the real test of his popularity will come later.

By the same token, Dr. Brown?s own popularity does not necessarily translate into support for the PLP, and vice versa.

Dame Pamela Gordon?s personal standing when she was Premier remained high in the months before the UBP was drummed out in 1998, while Dame Jennifer?s personal unpopularity prior to the 2003 election did not stop the PLP from being re-elected.

Where the PLP?s strategists will take heart is from the boost that the leadership change has given them.

This will only make an early election more likely as the PLP tries to capitalise on the momentum.