N.L. Liberals accuse Tories of influencing poll results

The Liberal opposition is accusing the Newfoundland and Labrador government of trying to manipulate the results of a public opinion poll now underway.

Opposition leader Gerry Reid said Premier Danny Williams and his government are issuing a flurry of "good news" announcements to influence positive responses about the government when pollsters call.

Corporate Research Associates conducts a quarterly poll that tracks voter preferences in the province.

Even though Williams and his Progressive Conservatives have been consistently dominating recent polls, Reid said he suspects the Tories are trying to hold on to their lead.

He points to a series of news releases distributed by the government's information agency this week, many of which he said had nothing new to say.

"In addition to these bizarre and empty press releases, government has begun to make several fluffy, feel-good announcements," Reid said.

"I warn the public to check the fine print on these so-called initiatives and examine the suspect timing of these announcements."

The latest CRA poll, released in June, showed 73 per cent of voters would have picked the Tories if an election were being held at that time. By stark contrast, only 18 per cent picked the Liberals.

Reid, who took over as Liberal leader this spring, said his party's internal troubles directly affected that poll result.

Pollster doubts news releases would have much effect

Don Mills, CRA's president and chief executive officer, said it is difficult for politicians to influence people's opinions.

"It would be, in any case, a very difficult task, because people form impressions over a course or length of time on many issues," Mills said.

"[That's] not to say they couldn't be influenced by a string of good news announcements but, frankly, I doubt it."

The premier's office said the number of news releases issued recently is consistent with general distribution.