Poll: 32% Trust Neither Party To Handle Economy
According to a recent poll released by Profiles of Bermuda, when asked “which party do you trust to do a better job of handling the economy,” 32% of voters said they trusted the OBA, 29.1% said they trusted the PLP, while 32.1% stated neither.
In releasing the poll results, Profiles of Bermuda said, “Voters appear to be losing faith in either party’s ability to manage the economy.
“While 3 in 10 voters trusted the OBA [32%] and the PLP [29.1%] to handle the economy, an equal amount [32.1%] stated ‘neither.’ However, ‘neither’ was not an option on the telephone survey meaning that voters had to volunteer that response.
“And while not statistically significant from the results obtained in May of 2014, part of the reason for the directional change in 2015’s ‘neither’ result may be due to the fact that slightly more voters rated the economic conditions as poor in 2015 [38.5% compared to 37.2% in 2014].”
Screenshot of the poll results from Profiles of Bermuda
Differences by Age
Profiles of Bermuda said, “By age, younger voters, those between the ages of 18 and 34, were more inclined to trust the PLP to handle the economy [42.6% compared to 37.4% in 2014], while those 55 and over were more inclined to trust the OBA [38.6% compared to 37.1% in 2014.]
Differences by Race
“Results by race were compelling. Just over 6 in 10 of White and Other voters [61.7%] trusted the OBA to do a better job of handling the economy, but this figure was down significantly from three-quarters [75.6%] recorded in 2014. Just over 4 in 10 Black voters [42.6%] trusted the PLP do a better job with the economy, down from the 44.9% recorded in 2014.”
Differences By Gender & Income
Profiles of Bermuda said, “There were no statistical differences by gender or income.”
Poll Notes
Profiles of Bermuda said, “Category totals may not add to 100% due to rounding. The 2015 survey was conducted among 407 registered voters between 15APR15 and 10MAY15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8%. Some 75% of re-spondents were obtained by landlines, 11% by cell phones and 14% via the internet. Data for all demographics were weighted to reflect the 2010 Census.
No surprises here. Pretty much mirrors everything else here when it comes to local political issues.
Let’s be real here. The OBA got handed the election on a silver platter and here we are in 2015 thinking what on Earth is going on. They keep making mistake after mistake. Then they break promise after promise. Even this chart shows they are losing ground.
They are losing ground with the local Bermudians who are fed up with their lack of transparency and extremist pro foreigner political views. The whole concept of giving away a 4 million dollar profitable airport when YOU CAN’T EVEN BREAK EVEN OR GAIN A SURPLUS on an annual budget is RIDICULOUS. Then you tell the airport staff you can’t guarantee their jobs?? What on Earth??
I get annoyed when people back some of the OBA deciions. If the PLP were closing the Airport deal with out a RFP or good governance and giving away a 4 million dollar profit every year. UBP/OBA supporters would had a heart attack.
Our air arrivals have been on a decline for the past 30 years. AND THE OBA INCREASE DEPARTURE TAX????? WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THAT PARTY???
They blame the PLP for everything as their solution. Talk about lack of leadership. I am truly upset with the OBA. Let’s not talk about the 2,000 jobs they promised that never materialized. Heck WE LOST 700+ jobs. I wouldn’t be surprised if that number is at 1,000 now.
The only good thing is the America’s Cup and we don’t even know how much of a positive effect that will have. I won’t even give credit to the OBA for that anyway. That could have happened under the PLP as well.
This political system in Bermuda is a joke. And these die-hard OBA supporters annoy me the most.
Losing ground? Ha! In quoting another concerned individual: “The average Bermudian wants, a job? When you hear Shadow Minister of Finance David Burt and all the Progressive Labour Party, they seem to be far-more concerned about is that the job has not been tendered.” I also would love to hear about another large construction company who would take on this project, pay for it all and then run the airport to gain back their money. Any company would want to make a profit, so of course they’ll include that in their proposal. Please Shadow Minister David Burt answer who will do it…Island Construction?”
Silver platter! More like rusty trash can lid. The economy was broken when the OBA took power. Can we be a little more honest please.
Stop wasting peoples money on polls! how many people were polled and if you don’t include every voter how can you get an accurate number. The PLP need to get out of their own way, so we can get something accomplished.
@ ann
Its called statistics- one could argue that 407 is not a sufficient sample but you do not need to include every voter to get an accurate number with an allowance for some margin of error.
65,000 to 407 how do you account for error?
@ ann
You clearly have not taken a statistics class. Because the sample size was relatively small the margin for error in this case is 4.8%. As the sampling size increases the margin of error reduces. I personally think that 407 voters is too small of a sample (and the 4.8% volatility around the output supports that) but polling in general is an effective tool to determine the likely views of a population without actually asking every voter.
Did you complain when the OBA used a comparable sample size to try and make their case on gaming?? Probably not…
@ Ian,
Absolutely- anytime you have 5% margin of error, suggesting there could be as much as 10% difference in outputs, then the polling is potentially misleading. While I am certainly no fan of the PLP, I was not pleased with how the OBA handled gaming. I think that it was a broken campaign promise and they should be held to task for it.
However, the PLP did far worse things during their time.
@Ann There are less than 40,000 registered voters (including duplicates, non-residents, non-active voters, etc.) and less than 30,000 regular active voters. In order to represent the views of 30,000 people with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error (confidence interval) of 4.8% you would need 411 people so this poll has enough of a sample of people although the swings could be quite big. For a 99% confidence level, they would have needed to call over 700 people. Do the respondents best reflect any actual outcomes, hard to say. Depends on if the contacts numbers were provided by someone or found independently. Look how far the pollsters missed the mark in England a couple of weeks ago. http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm
UBP/OBA just call a snap election that will shut everyone up for the next 5 years. Lay out the cards.
Exactly, this time the fence sitters should see what the PLP is all about & the also see what the OBA is all about & get out & vote. Give the OBA the popular majority & seat majority that is deserved.
Get rid of the PLP seat warmers & those who are in politics only for personal gain.
Be careful what you wish for, no guarantee the voters will go the way you hope. A couple of ‘marginals’ could switch right back.
I think Milliband was saying the same thing.
I wonder how much of the result is driven by general dissatisfaction with the state of politics at the moment?
Mirroring exactly what happened in the US which lead to Congress getting a 9% approval rating.
likely all of it
It took nearly a month to get 407 people to respond.
Who pays for this ? Who makes money from this?
See BERNEWS Headline.
I gave up years ago.
Things can’t be that bad when everyone is wearing Green and Gold.
Well except me.
Shalom and welcome to “The B****ers and The Restless.
Well I would not trust Profiles to do this survey!
Why?
POLLGATE NEXT
32% will have to be satisfied by 2017 or they won’t be elected. Plain and simple
Well ‘Swing’ you can always support another group
The indicators are positive. Lots of things are beginning to happen island wide. Not all the 32% will see it, but they will need just over half of those undecided. I remain optimistic.
“Data for all demographics were weighted to reflect the 2010 Census”
What does this mean?
Why would the data be weighted at all? Aren’t poll results supposed to be a reflection of the opinions of the polled, free of manipulation?
That’s the kicker.
OBA is losing ground
Not really…you’d have to be a fool to vote the PLP/UBP back in. At least the OBA is the lesser of two evils!
In your personal opinion, certainly
All the people that would vote for them did, and they are losing ground with them. They are not the lesser of two evils but continue to lie to yourself
so the PLP/UBP would be the lesser of two evils….lmfao thanks for the laugh.
Meanwhile the unemployment rate continues to rise , Bermudians are leaving Bermuda as economic refugees , tourism is barely breathing , potholes everywhere , even on Front street , storefronts boarded up opposite the Veendam . Ministers cars , big blue and driven everywhere all weekend long . Bob Richards seems to be giving away the airport to friends and family . A nine million Grand Atlantis deal given to new friends , food prices sky high , rents sky high while real estate prices plummet . Two and a half years of promises fulfilled for PRC’s and foreigners for status , while born Bermudians are constantly lied to by the Government elected to protect and serve them . It must end for this failure of a government soon .
If you give credence to this poll the plp has plenty work to do to convince voters that they could do a better jobs. Lots of work.
If PLP had been re-elected in Dec. 2012: – No Americas Cup, Bermudians enmass leaving Bermuda as economic refugees , tourism dead, no Morgans Point, no Pink Beach, no Ariel Sands, no hope, potholes everywhere , even on Front street , storefronts boarded up Island wide. Ministers all still driving big cars , big blue and driven everywhere all weekend long . Grand Atlantis rotting away, food prices sky high , rents sky high while real estate prices plummet. Two and a half years of nothing but chaos & confusion on top of the previous 14 years of economic terrorism and massive overspending Bermudians are constantly lied to by a PLP Government elected to protect and serve them – we had to deceive you. Bean’s Betting shops on every corner, tumble weeds whistling past Cabinet Office, beggars harassing cruise passengers, Cabinet ministers increase their salaries & travel, S & P and Moodys down grades to junk bonds, currency devaluation, hyper-inflation, etc. etc..
If you havent noticed people are still being made redundant and sent home with each and every insurance M&A you bird heads dont comment on when reported. When its under OBA/UBP its the result of rational business decisions by insurance heads as opposed to “xenophobia” and economic mismanagement…
Morgans Point started and was committed to under the PLP, you know, when Paula Cox MADE MORGANS POINT ACCESSIBLE TO THEM..
Please elaborate on how you can guarantee Pink Beach and Ariel wouldnt have happend under the PLP. If the Greens would build Waterloo House under the PLP why would Michael Douglas (a Bermudian also) not do the same at Ariel??
Explain how you manage to be upset up PLP ministers driving GP-plates yet when the OBA/UBP simply change the plates to look private everything is honkey dorey?!? LOL
Grand Atlantic was a tragedy waiting to fall into the ocean simply because the PLP was in power. And now all of the mindless OBA cheerleaders that were chirping up about it have nothing to say and the place is magically fit for vacation housing?! LOL
Food prices still sky high if you havent noticed… but I guess they are unacceptably sky high with the PLP in government! LOL
As for rents vs plummeting real estate market, read my first point above for a dose of reality before you explain how this is the PLPs fault.
14 years of economic terroism where tons of Bermudians, black and (ironically) ESPECIALLY white, made money hand over fist and spent like there was no end it sight to the good times. You’re all guilty including the banks who fully financed million dollar condo purchases for twenty-somethings!
People like you are a joke in your extreme, bias views with no basis in reality, blatently rooted in steretype and racism. And the fact 31 folks (at this point) liked your comment suggests there are no shortage of you. Which of course the OBA/UBP is banking on…
What is the PLP banking on?
They’re banking on the OBA to continue putting non-Bermudians first and foremost while insulting out intelligence through the guise of “hard decisions” and economic stimulus measures.
So you simply want spending and hand outs. That will kick start the output Huh described.
yawn…
Your point about the rents. Burch was skipping gleefully around boasting that rents were dropping. What a fool.
“Morgan’s Point was started under the PLP”. Well, not to anyone with a calender.
Grand Atlantic …you’re rewriting history on that too? It was an ugly waste of money, paid for using borrowed funds. If the current government can find a use for it, great. Under the PLP it stood empty, a symbol of their utter incompetence.
ok Zevon… whatever you say… I’ll put your toys back in the pram.
Because the economy was in free fall before they lost power and the PLP had precious little to say about what they could do to improve things apart from, it’s a global recession, we will have to just wait for the global recovery before things get better. No clue how they contributed to our near demise and no clue about getting us out of it. Did you not see Michael Douglas’ very candid quote about why he was going ahead with his $90 million development? Find it and have some humility to the fact that business has renewed confidence because of economic conditions being created by the OBA. It’s that simple. All those projects you mention did not happen under the plp. They are actually happening now and over the next few years, spurred on by the catalyst called AC35. Developers are putting money into Bermuda under an OBA run govt. I know it’s hard for you to swallow that, Just embrace it. Go with the flow.
Yeah. I’ll embrace the fact AC, despite being an awesome development, will be over faster than most realize…
I’ll embrace the fact under the obas watch I’ll find myself having to compete for home ownership in MY COUNTRY w prc holders that have thrived on housing allowances and will then have access to all of the market…
I’ll embrace the fact that the next time we go to the polls we’ll find ourselves surrounded by folks with pure British, American, Canadian etc accents, and not an ounce of bermudian culture to their existence here, casting their vote for the oba in MY COUNTRY.
I’ll embrace the fact that insurance industry reduncies are ongoing and picking up momentum as the oba drags is feet creating new new revenue streams, all while implementing new ways to accommodate the folks making those cost cutting decisions with the likes of fast tracked prc status and what I’m sure will be a path to voting rights before the next election.
Renewed sense of confidence is just another oba sidebyte used to brainwash folks like you to see the shoots despite all signs pointing to a worsening job market.
I hope you’re ready to embrace the reality check that makes it evident to you the situation we are in and correcting actually has very little to do with which of our small town, small time political parties are in power.
Okay so I get it. The $1 billion of lined up development is just dumb luck for the OBA. With your logic it would have happened on its own. Why even bother with having a Govt.if the economy is purely directed by outside influences? It is one of govt. main functions to create conditions where business wants to invest and stimulate the economy, thus creating jobs. How do you think jobs are created?
Its amazing how you can count chickens (speaking of $1bn) when all thats really there is a carton of eggs… And while I agree with your points on government creating fertile grounds for business and stepping out of the way, I dont beleive in the OBAs philosophy of selling out Bermudians to accomodate everything on non-Bermudian wish lists in the process…
Wow we agree on something! What solutions do you have for generating foreign exchange and along with it much need jobs as quickly as possible? At least as you say we have eggs laid the rest will inevitably follow. The estimate might be higher or lower than given but things a happening. To deny that is living in denial.
Things will always happen over time regardless of who is in government. Thats a fact.
Of course “things happen over time”, the point is that a Government has the influence and ability through legislation, to either assist business or hinder it and the OBA is creating opportunities as we speak. A far cry from just letting things happen over time. If we relied on that philosophy we would really really be in a bad way, as opposed to seeing progress being because there is a different group in the drivers seat. It makes a difference.
Ian…. That was too much for the blind OBA supporters.. They won’t understand your writing.
That was a good and realistic post. That was the truth.
Blame it on the PLP who left us with the debt you moron.
Art Mels does not give food away.
Never mind.
Now go to your next Gale.
Lol if this government actually had the nerve to proceed with the next census Bermuda will get its first reality check on the rate at which these guys are pushing to crank out status holders and PRCs. The OBA are predictable snakes – oxymoronically. They like to convince themselves that “selling out” somehow equates to “hard decisions” all while high fiving each other and their non-Bermudian masters at cocktail parties…
Why don’t you return then to increase us real Bermudians? Are you still even Bermudian?
Return from where/what exactly??
coffee – shaken not stirred (properly) you can thank the previous administration profusely for your rant.
Add me to the list who does not trust pol-lee-tricks!!!!
Maybe they should (Government/Opposition) put up 2 barrels on Front Street guarded by Peggy. Have everyone drop in a piece a paper re-vote and have it counted by………………….
This is madness.
As they said hin dee holden daz……….’Referrendum’?
Vat yoo lutt tawkin bowt.
Actually that would work better having a “Referrendum”.
It’s free….. hell put a dumpster there and throw it in.
We are F(&*^8.
Someone, anyone would feel the PLP could handle the economy ? Amazing
I ask this question of the obstructionist, protectors of the status quo:
How can we love our country and not love our countrymen; and loving them, reach out a hand when they fall, heal them when they’re sick, and provide opportunity to make them self-sufficient so they will be equal in fact and not just in theory?
Quo Fata Ferunt
You can love your country but if times are hard for you you can only do so much.
There is an enormous amount of charity on this island. Many helping others less fortunate amongst us. Look around and you will see it.
Interesting that there are a lot more ‘less fortunates’ since the OBA came to power.
Oh stop with the so called PLP 14 years of economic terrorism. Some of the best years Bermuda ever experienced was under the PLP Govt. I know the PLP would not sole source a $250+ million and counting airport and barrel it through the House with lightening speed without a proper tendering. Nor have MPs not be fully engaged with this huge project between the fuzziness and not reading the emails for due diligence. We will never know if this CCC is the best price for our money when we pay them back. And they wouldn’t give away status and our scarce land so easily. I know there are additional alternatives other than a billionaires boat race that may leave us heavily in debt with a guesstimate of resulting tourism impact. If the Olympics doesn’t really bring in tourists after the fact why would this? (Seriously I hope this AC does work out). Much of that AC money though would have been used for education. They would seek creative revenue ideas not just from behind closed doors. They would not barrell through public service reform without proper consultation. They would listen more. Right now OBA is not seen to be for the average Bdian. It’s that simple.
Tell the real truth – they were only good years because of the setting up of large new insurance/reinsurance companies in Bermuda after 911 in 2001 and hurricanes Katrina, Wilma & Rita in 2005. Our economic growth under the PLP from 1999 – 2012 had NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLP and everything to do the 2 large disasters years of 2001 & 2005 hardening Insurance/Reinsurance premiums/profits.
So she we expect that any improvement going forward will have nothing to do with the oba/ubp??
Silly Ian. Tricks are for kids.
OBA legalized casino gaming, went out and got the Americas Cup, cut Govt spending, Morgans Point, etc.. PLP went out and got us into massive debt while supposedly running our economy well?! LOL
That doesnt even deserve the time wasted on resonding…
@ Ian…..and yet you still resonded (sic).
Confirmed that you are in fact a time waster.
I can think of a better name.
yawn…
@ Just a matter of time
while there may be some truth that the Bermudian economy was very strong during some of the PLP years, its a bit of stretch to give them much credit. They inherited a strong economy for which they can take very little ownership for in the late 90s. So then you have the early 2000s and while the economy continued to thrive, PLP policies really began to take force which ultimately lead to a bloated civil service and extremely wasteful spending- all of which left Bermuda in a very precarious position once the global recession of 2008 came about. After which they continued to spend, and the OBA inherited a mess for which the country is still trying to dig itself out of.
I think economic terrorism is quite apt.
I like your summary.
I know the PLP would not sole source a $250+ million and counting airport and barrel it through the House with lightening speed without a proper tendering.
LOL
Yea.
There’s lots of evidence of the PLP doing just that. Proactive anyone?
Island Construction anyone?
The PLP were champions of untendered contracts.
72.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.
While the results actually sound reasonable, it is a poll, and as such, really means nothing whatsoever.
@Huh and Noncents. You claim that the PLP had nothing to do with the economic growth during their administration and IB business growth and that it all had to do with outside factors like catastrophes etc. Last I checked their are other jurisdictions that do the same work we do. Companies just don’t set up shop here narrow mindedly. They also look at a sophisticated infrastructure and a stable society and stable Governmemt! Stop the nonsense….
Why vote to begin with? Anywhere with a 2 party system, both parties are clowns. Why give your approval to either? The best thing Bermuda can do is sit at home on voting day. We give our power away to the government to sort out our issues when in truth I am sure all of us together can do a better job.
What structure do you propose? I doubt you can suggest anything that could feasibly work any better. Our system is imperfect but nobody has found one that works any better.doing away with it altogether would lead to all kinds of trouble. Sitting at home under the current system doesn’t really help either. By doing that you are effectively handing your power away with representation on your behalf. I actually think bean’s unconventional strategy thus far has been to win back dissolutioned plp supporters that sat out last time. It’s the only way I can begin to justify his approach.
Gotcha
Disagree here – staying home only further diminishes your influence on how the country is run. Vote for someone, third party or independent, or spoil your ballot. And when you’re at the polling station and the politicians want to offer their hand to shake, you can tell em where to put it (figuratively speaking, in most cases)
polls are only representative if you like the results.
notwithstanding the UK poll masters have been taken to task for being so clearly wrong in their failure to predict the conservative landslide in the UK election. MOTS -moral of the story – take all polls with a carton of salt.
All political parties use them and will take what they can from any of them released. They may not like what is revealed, but they all can take something and adjust, or not accordingly. It is the only way, apart from an election or referendum, to find out sentiments of the people. One always has to look at the people behind the survey, as they all have inherent biases, which as hard as they might try, will present themselves in the way questions are posed, order of questions etc. A pinch of salt is always advisable and as long as you are aware of the shortcomings, they are all we have and useful to many. Many don’t get the statistical side, of how 400+ people can represent them, when there are say 60,000 residence. To them I suggest you do some research on how surveys are formulated. The UK election is a classic example of how wrong they can get it and even the Scottish referendum was way off the mark. Just shows it is not an exact science and can have an even wider margin of error than stated.
It is funny but not surprising the OBA political supporters are now willing to trash the idea of polls when their own political party and government has hung many of it’s policies on what? the results of polls conducted on various issues;gaming; the PRC issue to name some of the most contentious policy decisions of recent times. The term herd mentality is truly a fitting description of this government political supporters.
Definitely do not trust the PLP with the economy!