Survey: 69% Satisfied With New Government

July 11, 2013

According to a Total Research Associates survey released today [July 11] seven in ten residents say they are satisfied with the overall performance of the new OBA Government, with satisfaction higher among white residents [93%] than black residents [55%].

A statement said, “After spiking following the election, satisfaction with the current Government’s performance remains high this quarter. In fact, seven in ten residents now say they are satisfied with the overall performance of the new OBA Government [69%; up 4]. However, satisfaction continues to be notably higher among white residents than among black residents [93% vs. 55%].

Chart extracted from the report:

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“Despite high satisfaction ratings, the Cannonier Government is not without its challenges. Residents feel the greatest challenges facing the Government are largely economic in nature, as the recession (47%; down 1 point) and, increasingly, unemployment [19%; up 7 points] are most often mentioned.

“The Bermuda Consumer Confidence Index [CCI], a composite measure of the public’s economic mood, introduced in 1998, continues to trend upward this quarter [96; up 8 points]. After matching an all-time low just six months ago, the index now stands at its highest level since 2007.

“Analysis of results reveals that confidence has improved notably, in that fewer believe the national economy has worsened over the past year [24%; down 7 points] and more now believe it has improved (25%; up 12 points).

“Residents’ future outlooks for the economy have held steady this quarter, as almost one-half continue to feel the economy will be in better shape in 12 months [48%; up 1 point]. This positive outlook is a reversal from six months ago, when residents were most likely to expect the economy to worsen.”

Total Research Associates said they spoke with 404 Bermuda residents between June 4th and 19th.

“Results are accurate to within ± 4.9 percentage points (95% confidence level). The Bermuda Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) provides a concise measure of the public’s outlook regarding economic conditions, both for the country and for their own household,” said a spokesperson.

“The CCI was set at a benchmark of 100.0 for the inaugural Bermuda Omnibus© in June 1998, and is repeated in each subsequent quarterly survey to track changes in consumer confidence across Bermuda and within key subgroups of the population.”

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  1. Survey: 98% Feel Safe In Their Neighbourhoods | Bernews.com | July 12, 2013
  1. duhh says:

    well no S**T 95% of white people like the new gov’t. The last Govt appeared to be extremely RACIST! This Gov’t embraces ALL types of people.

    • RME says:

      If this Gov’t embraces “all types” of people then more than 55% of blacks would approve of them. Obviously almost half do not feel they have their interests at heart.

      • LOL (original TM*) says:

        Or it could just be they don’t like white people…………….

        LOL

        • RME says:

          Or it could be that the white people don’t like black people “in power”. Too used to being in control. You can spin it any way you want.

          • Seriously.... says:

            Amen! Look at that graph.. Look at the times white support went up. All happened around change of PLP Leadership. Didn’t last for long however.

            Also, key to note, these are Residents, not Bermudians.

            • Black Soil says:

              PLP had a great opportunity to promote whites in the PLP when Johnathan Smith joined. But they threw him under a bus. smdh. PLP needs to change. If they change, they will win the next election.

            • rolo says:

              Look at when white support dropped, The same time the government had a deficit and debt increased went up, Paula Cox as Finance minister.

      • Verbal Kint says:

        55% of the black vote is enough to get the OBA reelected, even if no white people voted.

      • rolo says:

        The gov’t embraces all types of people. However, not all types of people embrace this Govenment. There are those It would probably still be less than 75% of blacks that would approve if there was no unemployment whatsoever and the debt fully repaid by the next survey.

    • Candidly Speaking says:

      Seriously….and exactly where did they poll. Tucker’s Town, Trimingham Hill, Point Shares, Fairylands, Inglewood. May we please have the “ratios” of blacks to white in those areas.
      No for the record, I happen to be mixed. Still I like the truth as much as anyone else, yet if someone paid me enough to paint a dark wall light, I might just rush to get the job done. So TAS…keep painting.

  2. duhh says:

    93%*

  3. Out of flight says:

    IT BOILS DOWN TO WHOSE NEEDS ARE BEING MET are satisfied. NO MATTER WHAT THE OBA DO, WHITES IN PARTICULAR WILL SUPPORT THEM. WE SEE THINGS BEING DONE AND ARE CONDONED BUT WHEN THE PLP DID THEM THEY WERE CRITICISED.
    It is only 6 months and the real issues have NOt been tackled: homelessness, jobs, scholarships, housing for those at Southside. The list is long. But as stated it is the first 6 months.

    • sonso says:

      and you think it took 6 months for all of these “real issues” to just pop up? if my memory serves me correct, i think these issues have been brewing for the past decade or sweetheart!

    • DarkSideofTheMoon says:

      Maybe the PLP should take the lead on the things that have not been tackled… o wait they are joining the church (with pitchforks and torches) on this gay “witch” hunt….

  4. Terry says:

    Come on Betty or whatever name you use here.

  5. Joonya says:

    Careful Bernews, you may get an apology demand from the apology fiends for broadcasting fact..

  6. LaVerne Furbert says:

    “In fact, seven in ten residents now say they are satisfied with the overall performance of the new OBA Government [69%; up 4].” Shouldn’t that read “seven in ten residents who were surveyed….”?

    • sonso says:

      lol well i guess u aint one of those 7!

    • wylie says:

      It’s a survey, by definition this is the general view.

    • DarkSideofTheMoon says:

      That is kind of obvious don’t you think? If they weren’t surveyed, then they wouldn’t be part of the results……

    • learn some statistics says:

      learn some statistics. If you knew anything about basic mathematics you’d realize that a poll like this does provide accurate information about the population as a whole.

  7. Vote for Me says:

    Surveys are always interesting animals.

    It would be helpful to get more information on how the respondents were selected, the overall methodoly for the survey and what questions were asked because some questions can lead you to preferred answers.

    Of all that I have read, the most striking fact is the difference between black and white respondents. 93% whites vs 55% blacks!! That is absolutely astonishing. The reverse would say – 45% blacks and 7% whites are not happy with the OBA!!

    Oh statistics – you can make them asay almost anything you want!!

  8. Truth is killin' me? says:

    Grabbing at straws are we?

  9. Tramsparency for Real!! says:

    NO surprise as whites have always supported the UBP or OBA, so that is expected. Their votes have been consisted for years. It is the blacks who often shift their votes from one party to another, and this is an historical fact. It is not based upon race, but rather election data patterns tells us this fact.

    One would want to question how the questions for the survey were developed. AS way in which a question is frame can determine the outcome, and gain the kind of answers a survey is seeking to gain. What is the percent of blacks vs white voters? What is the age category answering the survey?

    This is nothing more than the OBA are attempting to get “FEEL GOOD FEELING”, and to push out the idea all is well with the OBA.

    • Double Standards says:

      Do whites really have a choice these days in whom they support?

      It is not as if the PLP have hid their utter disdain and hatred for all with lighter skin pigmentation and/or their fellow black Bermudians that do not agree with their aggressive racialistic approach to governing.

      Just imagine if the PLP tried a truly concilliatory approach with the entire demographic of Bermuda. They would be unbeatable. But unfortunately the Party is continuing with the 1960/70s aggresive approach to race “relations.”

      Dismiss it all you want Betty. But it is what it is.

      • Robert says:

        Why is that black people have to always be conciliatory to whites ?!!!!!!!

      • Robert says:

        For the record the Bermuda progressive labour party is not a “black party”. The first part of OUR name is BERMUDA !!!

      • Mazumbo says:

        I guess you haven’t heard of Dr Barbara Ball!!!!!!!!

        • Double Standards says:

          You got me on that one…

          One in 50 years of existence is pretty good…

          Can I ask why the PLP placed Jonathan Smith in an area they knew he couldn’t win?

          Sounds like he was used as a puppet IMO…

    • rolo says:

      That would be because the OBA and UBP (albeit less so) represented all of Bermuda regardless of skin tone. Whereas PLP only represented/ worked for blacks.

  10. Who done this survey says:

    This survey was obviously very subjective with the people they sampled based on the results; I know I wasn’t surveyed, so I would question the validity of it….. Also, a 95% confidence level from 404 households is laughable!!!!

    • learn some statistics says:

      Sorry but all you need to achieve that confidence level is a sample of 385 people

      See http://www.qualtrics.com/blog/determining-sample-size/

    • LOL (original TM*) says:

      What is a 404 household?

      LOL

    • Sooooooo says:

      “I know I wasn’t surveyed, so I would question the validity of it”

      Huh?? is’t that kinda like saying I wasn’t at work today so no-one else was… OR because I can’t see him god doesn’t exist… OR if a tree falls in the woods and no-one is around, it doesn’t make a sound!!

  11. Day says:

    To divide and rule can only tear us apart.

  12. Tramsparency for Real!! says:

    However, when it comes to surveys and polls that are conducted by any company, one has to aware of the fact that question wording is probably the greatest source of bias and error in the data, followed by question order. Writing a clear, unbiased question takes great care and discipline, as well as extensive knowledge about public opinion. As I said depending on how the questions framed, question wording, question order, and the sample population the random selection technique used in creating the sampling frame, the execution of the sample (including the number calls backs and length of the field period) and the method of interviewing (in person vs. telephone vs. mail) that one should interpret the results with great caution. Even a question that is set up within a range of responses can evoke a certain answer in one direction or another. This may be an attempt for the OBA to swing the popular opinion back in their favor and hoping folks would overlook their current actions of mis-steps. OBA are always using political strategy to advance their cause, by any means necessary.

  13. Tramsparency for Real!! says:

    OBA must keep feeding their main support base, to make them keep the faith..so here it is..they know their fan base will not question anything, they digest whatever they feed them with…even incorrect facts….

    • sonso says:

      PLP must keep feeding their main support base, to make them keep the faith..so here it is..they know their fan base will not question anything, they digest whatever they feed them with…even incorrect facts….

      sounds familiar??

    • Joonya says:

      The OBA didnt need to do this, they already found out the survey results on Dec 17th!!

  14. Tramsparency for Real!! says:

    A quick political strategy to turn some folks heads, while feeding their main support base..interesting

    • Double Standards says:

      Geesh Betty, calm down!

      It is just a bloody survey and the honeymoon period will end eventually.

      Keep calm and carry on…

  15. watching says:

    This unsurprising. Before the OBA was formed we saw that 95% of whites supported the UBP. Now that has been transferred en block to the OBA. It doesnt matter what the OBA does…these white supporters will never support the PLP. It is black Bermudians that have been the swing voter and to see that only 55% show satisfaction with the OBA after only 6 months in power would strike a chord with me if i was an OBA member. To win a second term they need to keep that black support up. How do they do that?

    • Double Standards says:

      Why exactly should someone support a Party that makes it clearly known that they in return do not support them or their family (based on their skin color)?

      Please explain.

      • Seriously.... says:

        STFU, really. Just so you know the PLP has many white members.

        What you are repeating is exactly that you UBP and the OBA are now feeding you. Don’t vote PLP they hate white people. pure and utter BS!

        • Double Standards says:

          The only people feeding me are the below actions/quotes which have been said in the last half-decade:

          - We will only give contracts to people that look like me
          - You are nothing but a house n***** (to someone who disagreed with the PLP) on several occassions
          - Burch hanging up on a Bermudian after she confirmed she was white
          - The Tony Brannon/Alex Scott blackberry message scandal
          - Brown on BBC saying he was seeking to make white Bermudians uncomfortable
          - An elected MP who has no qualms berating his fellow black bermudians that marry outside their race
          - the numerous racialistic groans by certain prominent PLP mouthpieces
          - An elected MP who seeks to stereotype every white Bermudian as being priviliged, owning numerous properties and never having to struggle through life
          - claims that whites have genetic predispositions to act/think in a certain way
          - the labeling of anyone and everyone a racist that disagrees with the PLP

          And that is just off the top of my head. You see my friend I pay attention all the time. Their approach to race relations have not changed since their inception despite time and circumstances changing everyday.

          So I will not STFU for the ignorant likes of you (as only ignorant beings need to start their “rebuttal” with STFU).

          • ABM says:

            PLP supporters have heard much worse over the years from the UBP clan as well. Do not sit there and think that you are the only ones. You’ve just got a small sample of what we have been through. And so you and all know, majority of the OBA back bench support team (private investors) are the same ones who supported UBP during their racial reign so many years ago. Because of that alone, how and why should we beleive anything that comes from the OBA’s mouth?

            Your heart is in the right place, but your forgetting what others have been through.

            Also, whites have said openly that that was the past and we should let it die out for the sake of the country and move forward. If that is soooo true, then the same should apply with anything the PLP has done during its 14 year tenure correct?

          • ABM says:

            There is your double standard.

            • Double Standards says:

              That’s great.

              So because someone in the past did it, it is acceptable for the PLP to do it?

              Doesn’t it just become a vicious circle then? When and where does it end? Or does it?

              And just for note what I typed above was only the last 5 years or so and is definitely not an exhausted list of examples. I would love to sit down with you and go over the numerous racialistic (?) experiences that I have had to endure during my time growing up in Bermuda. With one being the need to move primary schools at the tender age of 7 due to daily racial harassment as being the only white skinned Bermudian in the class. But there really is no point, because discussions like those don’t fit into the popular narrative and the usual response I receive is that somehow I deserved/deserve it due to my skin color (of which I had no choice in the matter). Actually, it mirrors the response given by yourself above. It is a shame because the often touted need to discuss race in Bermuda seems to only include listening to one side and completely dismissing the other’s experience.

              And as for the backbench accusations that you have made please point out any racist utterings and/or actions undertaken by just ONE of these individuals. And being white isn’t an acceptable rebuttal. Hard and fast facts will only do please.

              I just find it amazing that a Party, and its supporters, who allegedly abhor racism turn so many deaf ears and blind eyes when one of their own team spews divisive racial rhetoric.

        • Double Standards says:

          Oh and one just has to look at the numerous racially driven election campaign ads issued by the PLP during the last election that sought to divide the island along racial lines.

          Didn’t work as times, people and circumstances are changing.

        • LOL (original TM*) says:

          No it’s not been there tried that……. Many white members huh gest you can only count up to how many fingers you got huh………

          LOL

        • Sooooooo says:

          and the OBA has many black members… What’s your point?

      • sonso says:

        please explain how this Party makes it known that they “in return do not support them or their family (based on skin colour)”??

      • Candidly Speaking says:

        I am confused. Whjen a man speaks out of both sides of his mouth,which both parties have done, which side are we supposed to believe.

        Thad – how do you manage to seed Craig Cannonier’s address to the nation with such praise knowing you have less belief in his ability and leadership than the public. In fact let’s be brutally honest. Confidence in his insight and leadership exhausted quite early with the party, constituency and electorate. That preacher style garbage just aint workin. Wil
        l the government and its party give Bermudians a bit more credit. After all the next election real isn’t that far away.

        Candidly Speaking

  16. Hmmmmm says:

    Race problem? What race problem? In Bermuda? nahhhhhh. No way. Never. Not here. Get over it.

    • Candidly Speaking says:

      In a not so joking way….ooooooh yeah there isn’t. Problem is when black Bermudians recognize they do more damage to each other within their own race, it will be easier to comprehend why it seems real that racism is inflicted upon the Black race by the White race.

      In other words when one does damage to one’s self, it is far easier for others to do the same…get away with it…and call it something else.

      Candidly Speaking

  17. tsol says:

    Even if every white person on this island voted for the OBA it is not near enough to secure a win in a general election. So how to you PLP diehards explain the win in December?

    • Hmmmmm says:

      Black people stayed home in large numbers this election. The OBA’s victory was one by default. Even they know this. The sprinkling of blacks who did vote and voted OBA was enough. Remember, some margins are paper thin: 10 in Warwick, 4 in St. George’s, 8 in Sandys…… hardly a ringing endorsement of either Party but certainly not one for the Government.

  18. Django unchained says:

    Bermuda was extremely racist in the 60′s and 70′s. which wasn’t that long ago. I feel racism still exist here today and probably for the foreseeable future. I voted for the OBA/UBP, I own a home and yet I wasn’t surveyed. I was only surveyed a week or so before the election in December 2012. Things that make you say hmmmmmmmm

    • LOL (original TM*) says:

      I’ve never been surveyed by either OBA, UBP or PLP whats your point…….

      LOL

      • Double Standards says:

        Neither have I actually. Have read about numerous polls and their results, but strangely enough have never had a call from any of these pollsters.

        Maybe they keep on calling the same people?

        Do the callers only call land lines or do they call cell phones as well?

        • Toodle-oo says:

          Good question . Seeing there’s no directory for cell phone numbers that I know of the pollsters must refer to the printed TELCO directory. Of which the white pages continue to shrink with every passing year.

          I’ve been getting polled regularly for years now , so much so that I’m tired of them and refused to answer the phone for this one as I recognized the area code as the one the telemarketers and pollsters use.

        • I have been called says:

          Over the last couple of years I’ve received several calls re various polls. While they are all supposedly performed by independent firms (many (most?) of which are off island) it’s generally not that difficult to figure out who commissioned the poll.

          As for whether or not the pollsters call only landlines I have no idea. But I can say that a couple of weeks back I received a phone call from someone I worked with in British Columbia. He had a business related question and he knew I was Bermudian – somehow he managed to find my cell number. So it’s not clear.

    • Joonya says:

      If they survey everyone then its called a census.
      Stop maoning about every little d@mn thing for ChriySakes!

  19. Navin R. Johnson says:

    About the result to be expected if an election were held today….

    • Seriously.... says:

      you would have to poll voters, and ask their voting intention, not their “Satifaction”.

      Also, this is residents, not voters.

  20. Vote for Me says:

    The questions about how numbers were chosen is interesting.

    If we assume the pollsters used the white pages from the telephone directory, the results will automatically be skewed because many young people (and middle aged) no longer have land lines or phones from telco. Thus they would not form part of the phone pool which is used to select the sample.

    One poster’s comment about whether or not the same people are sampled is also interesting since the sample would obviously be biased.

    The truth is that you can generate a random sample of cell numbers by just starting with the correct prefix of say 595, 535, 799, etc and have a computer generate random numbers.

    In summary, we should all take any reported poll results with ‘a grain of salt’.

    • learn some statistics says:

      The answer isn’t as simple as you think.

  21. SpiritMindBody says:

    I have had friends who do polls, they are given people to contact, if they are not reachable they still have to meet a quota. So they start to contact their family and friends, sometimes it’s the same people over and over,anyone who will take the time or make the time to do a survey. So inaccurate it can be sometimes. But high percentages are telling to some degree.

    • Vote for Me says:

      @SpiritMindBody
      If your comments are true, the entire poll is invalid since the extras (family and friends who are sometimes contacted over and over) are not random. Hopefully the pollsters will clarify whether or not your comments are true.

  22. Ya got me Rollin ......NOT says:

    How confident you OBA blogger feel about YOUR results on this sampling of RESIDENTS surveyed????

  23. god1st says:

    What segment of the community took this survey? I wasn’t called to do this survey so how can they state that 7/10 residents are satisfied with the O.B.A. They know who to survey as well as knowing who not to survey. Good strategizing on their behalf.

    I was one that abstained from voting at the last election, but I am sure voting for the PLP at the next general election.

  24. Suspicious says:

    White people cannot support plp they don’t want or need whiter support

  25. Young Bermudian says:

    I wonder if the most recent trip taken by the Premier and his entourage and the newly appointed advisor will change these numbers.

  26. all u need 2 know says:

    i think there were more issues at play than the general survey in question if you want to look at it from a perennial ghosts point of view, but for 12 limes in the bag you wouldn’t truly be able to get 100% accurate results

  27. Tramsparency for Real!! says:

    AS I said nothing more than to feed the support base of the OBA fans… really this is a “Feel GOOD moment to keep the base up”…after so many blunders by the OBA …

  28. Johnny says:

    Total Research Associates should have given more info. As is the norm when releasing poll info., they should have have given a breakdown of who was polled. How many of the 404 people were black or white and how many Bermudians ( black and white). this would give us a more accurate view of this poll.

  29. Suspicious says:

    Bermuda is in and has always been in a racial storm ,from primary school to secondary school I was called a dirty portagee by the white man I was called white boy by the black man .I could not date a white girl and I was beaten for dating a black girl by her family .my father listened but told me son in Bermuda you have to know your place .in spite of my life experience I hold no grudges as I have met numerous good people of all colors in Bermuda who have treated me with respect.

  30. Alvin Williams says:

    I have allways considered that this polls are skewed in a racial way because the white community true to thier herd metality will allways vote one way; in the direction where thier racial interests lie. Some might not want to believe that; but history in this country has shown this to be the truth. It was true under the former UBP government; it remains true under these lot; the anti-Bermudian one term OBA government. On the other hand although accuse of been sheep like in thier voting patterns; the Black community remains the true swing voter in this country and with some they will only move when the social; economic situation hits them directly on thier head. It is what it is.