Kim Wilson is the public’s most popular choice to lead the Progressive Labour Party, according to a poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette.

But Michael Weeks emerged as the favourite among PLP supporters, in the Global Research survey which assessed the popularity of eight high-profile Opposition MPs this month.

Ms Wilson has a favourability rating of 36 per cent from registered voters — compared to Mr Weeks, with 33 per cent, Deputy Leader of the Opposition David Burt (30 per cent), Zane DeSilva (26 per cent), Leader of the Opposition Marc Bean (21 per cent), Walton Brown (21 per cent), Derrick Burgess (21 per cent) and Rolfe Commissiong (13 per cent).

Speculation of a leadership challenge to Mr Bean has intensified in recent weeks, with Ms Wilson, Mr DeSilva, Mr Brown, Mr Burgess and Mr Commissiong, as well as Wayne Furbert and Glenn Blakeney, all quitting his Shadow Cabinet.

Ms Wilson, Mr DeSilva, Mr Weeks and Mr Burt have been touted as potential successors, should rebel MPs succeed in forcing a delegates’ conference to oust the leader.

But while Ms Wilson enjoys the best popularity across the country, a breakdown of results shows much of her support comes from outside the PLP.

The former Attorney-General, whose approach is viewed by insiders as a moderate alternative to Mr Bean’s radical style, has a favourability rating of 48 per cent from PLP supporters, compared with Mr Weeks (72 per cent), Mr Burt (67 per cent), Mr Bean (59 per cent), Mr DeSilva (50 per cent), Mr Burgess (46 per cent), Mr Brown (37 per cent) and Mr Commissiong (33 per cent).

Among OBA supporters, 29 per cent said they had a favourable impression of Ms Wilson, compared with Mr DeSilva (11 per cent), Mr Weeks (9 per cent), Mr Burgess (9 per cent), Mr Brown (8 per cent), Mr Burt (5 per cent), Mr Bean (2 per cent) and Mr Commissiong (2 per cent).

Ms Wilson is also the most popular of the group among whites, with a 25 per cent rating, compared with Mr DeSilva (12 per cent), Mr Weeks (9 per cent), Mr Brown (9 per cent), Mr Burt (6 per cent), Mr Burgess (7 per cent), Mr Bean (2 per cent) and Mr Commissiong (2 per cent)

Among blacks, Mr Weeks is most popular with a 51 per cent favourability, compared with Mr Burt (48 per cent), Ms Wilson (45 per cent), Mr DeSilva (38 per cent), Mr Bean (35 per cent), Mr Burgess (33 per cent), Mr Brown (30 per cent) and Mr Commissiong (20 per cent).

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette reported how the OBA has a 12-point lead over the PLP, its biggest ever lead, with 42 per cent of voters saying they would support the OBA in a General Election, compared with 30 per cent for the PLP. The telephone poll of 401 registered voters took place between December 8 and 14, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 per cent.