Cabinet approval ratings: Poll results

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been running a survey asking how satisfied you are with the way the members of the Cabinet are handling their jobs.

The results are shown in the graph and table below. The scores for each politician were computed by awarding 2 points for each vote of ‘very satisfied’, 1 point for ‘satisfied’, no points for ‘neither satisfied nor dissatisfied’, -1 point for ‘dissatisfied’ and -2 points for ‘very dissatisfied’. These scores were then turned into percentages from -100% (everyone ‘very dissatisfied’) to +100% (everyone ‘very satisfied’) by dividing by the maximum possible score (since 176 votes were cast for each MP, this was +/- 352 points).

The members of Cabinet fell into four groups: the satisfactory (Dale Butler and Paula Cox), the mediocre (Larry Mussenden, Michael Scott, Ewart Brown and Neletha Butterfield), the weak (Randy Horton) and the useless (David Burch, Terry Lister, Patrice Minors and Alex Scott).

Dale Butler, Minister of Community Affairs and Sport, did best, with an overall rating of +13%. Premier Alex Scott did worst, with an incredible -72%. I was surprised at the poor showing of Patrice Minors, Minister of Health and Family Services, her confrontation with the Salvation Army notwithstanding. I had also expected Transport and Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown to do better. Note that I omitted Wayne Perinchief, Minister of Drug Control, from the survey due to the short period that his Ministry has been in existence.

I’ll run a similar survey for the UBP later this year.

	V.Sat	Sat	Neither	Dissat	V.Dissat	Score	%age
Dale Butler	15	65	63	15	18	44	13%
Paula Cox	10	62	48	39	17	9	3%
Larry Mussenden	5	30	88	36	17	(30)	9%
Michael Scott	4	33	83	40	16	(31)	9%
Ewart Brown	13	46	29	44	44	(60)	17%
Neletha Butterfield	7	26	73	34	36	(66)	19%
Randy Horton	5	21	52	53	45	(112)	32%
David Burch	7	15	24	39	91	(192)	55%
Terry Lister	4	11	21	60	80	(201)	57%
Patrice Minors	2	10	23	57	84	(211)	60%
Alex Scott	2	8	11	45	110	(253)	72%

176 votes cast

Comments

[ken on 23.02.06 at 08:57]

Limey,

I think we need to take these results with a grain of salt. From the posters to the site, it is quite apparent that the majority of them are anti-PLP, and vehemently so, so that would explain so many dissatisfied and very dissatisfieds.

Dr Brown has done wonders with airfare and the installation of GPS, as well as helping the process at TCD. The bus terminal is beautiful and functioning well. How he can get so many negative poll results shows that most of the voters just don't like him as a person. People failed to vote on their performance, so in this regard the results are a bit skewed.

I think the same can be said for Col Burch. He hasn't been the Minister of Housing for much longer than Wayne Perinchief has been the Minister of drug Control, so likewise he maybe should've been left off. But had he been left off, he wouldn't have been able to be crucified as 'useless'. Most people's hatred of Col Burch goes beyond the dreaded N word comment. That just gives you all more of a reason. But admit it, you all hated him before. Because he doesn't toe the line, and doesn't suck up to you. He says what he needs to, right or wrong, and thats what those that don't like him, don't like. If you were to talk to PLP supporters, he has most of their support.

That being said everyone is entitled to their opinions, and voting for whatever or whoever they want. I just wish people would admit their biases and realize that they do have one.

I think that by putting the "neither satisfied nor dissatisfied" option there was a mistake. In an election, you cannot choose that option unless you just do not vote. I think you should have made the voters on the site choose either satisfied or unsatisfied at a minimum. I wonder how the results would change, or if in fact they would.

I can't wait to see how the results come in for the shadow cabinet. The posters on here will probably give them all glowing report cards.

[Scott P on 23.02.06 at 09:37]

Ken,

I disagree with you. I think these results reflect the feelings that the people of this forum are tired of the arrogant and self-serving nature of the of the people in the poll. Mr. Butler is at least likeable. That can't be said for the others.

I think you will be surprised at the results of the UBP poll. I am of the opinion that they haven't done a particularly good job either.

What gets tired is the notion that people will form their opinions around party politics and not results. The fact is, the PLP have not delivered on their promises. They would be the government forever if they did. They have let their voters down. Dishonesty, fraud, racism and arrogance reign supreme with these people and the voters are disgusted by it.

Time to grade the opposition.

Scott.

[ken on 23.02.06 at 09:50]

Scott P...

U said "Mr. Butler is at least likeable. That can't be said for the others."

But I thought the whole point was not the likeability factor, but moreso their job performance. And while some Minister's may not be doing a great job, I can't see that the majority of them are doing a horrible job either.

I would like to grade the Opposition and see what the poll looks like for that. Limey says he will do that later in the year. I am assuming that is because the Shadow cabinet just was shuffled. However if they get mostly Very Satisfied and Satisfieds, then something will definitely be up because I don't think they deserve it either.

[observor on 23.02.06 at 10:18]

ken

I appreciate and agree that many of the posters on this site probably share a political point of view that is opposite to your own and as a result the poll results reflect as much.

However, I would similarly encourage you to view the PLP and their +7 years in government with the same degree of impartiality you espouse from other posters so as to ensure you are perfectly aware of and “admit [your] biases."

Clearly your comment that Phil “should have made the voters on the site choose either satisfied or unsatisfied at a minimum” is quite laughable and reflective of your unwavering allegiance to the PLP as you seem unwilling to agree that there can in fact be degrees of ineptitude.

Regarding the upcoming opposition poll results, I'm equally curious as to the outcome. However, the UBP isn't the government of the day and does not have the ability to set and implement policy so I similarly will take those "results with a grain of salt" as they will, more than anything, be akin to popularity contest as the electorate will not in fact be casting a "vote on their performance" as government, unlike the PLP poll results listed above.

[VB on 23.02.06 at 10:19]

Not surprising results though the Minister of Transport faired better than I would have thought.

The new ferrys have been a huge waste & another is on its way. GPS/better dispatching is finally here after years of inaction. I blame the UBP for this too. Nobody would deal with it. Improved service at TCD is questionable. Try to get a drivers license test appointment in a reasonable time, unless of course, you go through one of the driving schools. The bus terminal is a year late & way over budget. Blame that one one W&E ineptitude as well. We now have once or twice a week new 'gateway' wonders. It is much easier for Bermudians to connect with their Carribbean cruise in Miami now. How many new visitors this flight brings is questionable. We used to have daily flts to Baltimore. Now it is twice a week. Big gain there huh! Did somebody say Club Med? Instead of what can Brown do for Bermuda it has been what can Brown do for Brown? He has been very good at promoting himself but not good at promoting Bermuda. Slowly, Bermudians are wising up to this snake oil salesman.

David Burch, the 'get things done man' but what has he really actually 'done' besides promote himself as a 'can do' man?

[ken on 23.02.06 at 10:31]

VB...

1. The ferries are not hardly a waste. Maybe you don't use them, but there are many that do. Ask those that needed them after Fabian if they are a waste.

2. TCD is much more efficient and a much more pleasurable experience. The wait is not as long and you don't have to wait as long for an appointment, however if you wait til the day before your licence expires, thats your fault not theirs.

3. I could be wrong, but I don't believe the bus terminal is a year late. But a large reason was the fact that the wall adjacent to the bus terminal was unsound. This can happen in many construction sites where you happen upon something faulty when you had no idea that something was wrong.

4. These new flights provide much more capacity to bring visitors to bermuda. The Miami flight has worked out very well. Dr. Brown is working diligently on bring people to bermuda. However the country as a whole (including you) have to work at making their stay more enjoyable and less pricey. The hotels have to do their part as well.

5. Club med has been vacant for 20 years. Dr. BRown has been Minister of Tourism for less than 3. He should not be graded on that issue. There are many people, former and present govt alike that can shoulder the blame for inaction there.

6. In Burch's first stint as Housing Minister under Dame Jennifer Smith, he was very effective at bring arrears down at BHC. He is also getting the Collector's Hill stoplight situation worked out to provide a better traffic solution there. His biggest challenge is affordable housing, and yet again this is something we collectively have to solve. We cannot decry the government for not finding a solution when most of us are only willing to rent to foreigners are excessive rates. We are compounding the problem.

[ken on 23.02.06 at 10:34]

Observor,

When you said "Clearly your comment that Phil “should have made the voters on the site choose either satisfied or unsatisfied at a minimum” is quite laughable and reflective of your unwavering allegiance to the PLP as you seem unwilling to agree that there can in fact be degrees of ineptitude." you misunderstood me. In retrospect I should've worded it better.

I mean that the choices should've been

1. Very Satisfied
2. Satisfied
3. Dissatisfied
4. Very Dissatisfied.

I feel that there shouldn't have been a neutral category.

[Uncle Elvis on 23.02.06 at 10:54]

"David Burch, the 'get things done man' but what has he really actually 'done' besides promote himself as a 'can do' man?"

Actually, I'd like an answer to that, myself.

[jake on 23.02.06 at 11:19]

This is a true sham.

Larry Mussenden as useless? Dale as more useful than Paula?

This is not a survey on performace, it's a vote on popularity.

How useless.

[Bill Akin on 23.02.06 at 11:29]

176 responders. Not really a comprehensive view of Bermudian opinion.
Regards, Bill

[Scott P on 23.02.06 at 11:34]

Ken,

I used the "likeable" comment to make a point. I don't grade performance on likability. Performance is the key. The PLP have not performed. Thus the bad grades.

Some other comments:

GPS will benefit nobody but the people selling the machines to the taxi owners. If you believe that GPS will get you a taxi faster, please wake up. This whole thing smells of financial opportunity for Dr. Brown and his cohorts. The taxi industry is struggling and this is just added expenses for the drivers and owners. GPS would be better used in the buses and government cars to cut down on their use for personal reasons.

Fast ferries only benefit people living in the western parishes. I live in St. David's. They don't benefit me or my family at all. I don't consider them a waste, however, as they are needed by the western parishes. I do think that they are too expensive and Dr. Brown should have considered other options. I thought the older ferries worked fine. I still do. You may think differently. Give them to the eastern parishes so that there can be a ferry system between St. George's, St. David's, the Airport and Bailey Bay. Giving them to Cuba would be a waste.

Club Med just makes me angry. I think this will be another Berkeley if given to Michael Jones and his group. Where is Jennifer Smith on this issue? Isn't Club Med located in her constituency? Yes!!!!

David Burch is a complete waste of time. Nothing he does impresses me. I give him no credit for BHC because anyone would be an improvement on the crook he replaced. He still has done nothing for Bermuda and shouldn't be a minister as he is not an elected parlimentarian. He is rude, abrasive and racist and shouldn't be allowed to represent anyone in Bermuda.

Scott.

[RedOnion on 23.02.06 at 11:50]

KEN said >> "Most people's hatred of Col Burch goes beyond the dreaded N word comment. That just gives you all more of a reason. But admit it, you all hated him before. Because he doesn't toe the line, and doesn't suck up to you. He says what he needs to, right or wrong, and thats what those that don't like him, don't like.:

That's part of the problem with Col Burch's public persona. If he was just as vocal, but was always, or at least mostly right then he would be far more popular. Its when he is wrong, or worse, insulting, that people react, it's human nature. There is no doubt that he is a go-getter but all his efforts come to very little if he insults the Bermudians, black and white during his verbal tirades. Add to that the fact that he can not be voted out at an election, since he was not voted in, then the public who are offended by him have no alternative but to vote out his entire party.

On the other hand, I think he is a capable politician, and certainly can get things done under the right circumstances, perhaps he just needs to step back and think about his public image. Certainly he hasn't won any friends with the press, that can only hurt him and the party in the long run, depsite what he thinks.

[ken on 23.02.06 at 11:57]

Scott P,

There are plans to use one of the next fast ferries to service St Georges. If Dr Brown had ran out and bought 4 or 5 at once then yet again his fiscal responsibility would be questioned. It is impossible for the ferries to service every single area of Bermuda, and largely unnecessary. It saves time coming from the west due to the bottleneck in paget. However it is much quicker to drive from the eastern end as there are many different entrances to hamilton.

Regarding GPS, the intention is that it will benefit the community as a whole. Also, the taxi drivers should be held to the rules of their permits, which largely they aren't. This, hopefully will encourage them to be more professional in some cases and to have the taxis on the road for the required amount of time. Every job has a clock to watch. This is theirs.

Dame Jennifer Smith is the MP but not the Minister, therefore her input can be taken, but not necessarily used. She has to yield to the power of the Minister.

[SmokingGun on 23.02.06 at 12:27]

I think a better survey would have been to ask "Who has our trust".
Trust that they are trying to do a good job for Bermuda as a whole and not just for themselves.

[Onion on 23.02.06 at 13:50]

This is clearly a UBP blog where majority of the posters view a "good" PLP man as one with the least threatening, Johnny Barnes-type demeanour. I look at the results above and laugh. Dale Butler ahead of Ewart Brown?

This is why I stay out of most debates on this blog these days.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 23.02.06 at 13:56]

Onion,

I agree with you, if Ewart were not so vocal and stood up for what he believes he would be readily accepted.

At least you always know where Ewart and others stand issues, unlike a few others I can think of who wait to find out how the electorate feel before they can open their mouths with an opinion.

[Onion on 23.02.06 at 14:04]

Guilden,

Just look at who they have at the top and compare with who's at the bottom. For each person, ask yourself why this person would've been voted into this position and you have to ask yourself if their actual performance justifies their ranking. Very strange indeed.

I am not a dye in the wool UBP or PLP supporter but I do like objectivity and critical reasoning.

This is a meaningless survey. Pack it up Limey.

[J Starling on 23.02.06 at 14:35]

The poll isn't entirely useless. As an actual poll reflecting Bermudian opinion as a whole, it is useless. But it is a useful barometer for the political composition of this blogs contributors. The PLP has done quite a bit of good and I would rather have them in power than a return to the UBP. Problem is, they have not been all that much better. They could have done a lot more, and I hope and work to see that they do. If anyhting, even the racial chauvinists will have to admit that a 'black' party can be just as bad as a 'white' party. Perhaps we'll see a properly contested election in the future. That alone would be progressive.

[Adjustah on 23.02.06 at 14:36]

"There are lies, damned lies and statistics" - Twain.

I have to admit, the results only reflect the opinions of those who chose to take the poll.

Given that the amount of PLP government bashing here I'd say that the survey confirms only that most of the posters here don't like the present government. No real shock there.

[Scott P on 23.02.06 at 14:49]

Ken,

I don't think the people of the eastern parishes wish to have more than two or three trips to and from Hamilton with the fast ferries. You are right that driving a car in is faster and in most cases, better. We would like to see the old ferries used in the east. Refubish them and start a ferry system in St. George's that serves St. David's and Bailey's Bay.

GPS will not police the taxi drivers. My father is a driver/owner and he sees no benefit in having a GPS navigation system in his car. The secret in getting better and faster taxi service is in the dispatching. GPS is rumoured to help that but I will believe it when I see it. If a driver wishes to go home for the evening, GPS will not help. If a driver has pre-arranged work, GPS will not help. Taxis need to advertise more. GPS belongs in government vehicles. Police, buses, W & E trucks, GP cars....etc.

Dame Jennifer only being the MP is not a good enough excuse for her deliquency in serving her constituants. She did nothing for St. George's while she was the Premier. She is doing nothing now. Dean Foggo is also AWOL. Has anyone ever heard him say anything during a regular session in the house? I haven't.

I will give Dr. Brown this. At least he's trying to do something about Club Med. The last Minister to seriously try and get that hotel up and running was Jim Woolridge. I just hope Ewart doesn't let his tremendous ego get in the way of doing the right thing for this project. He needs to consult with the people who know the industry.

[Scott P on 23.02.06 at 14:57]

Did any of the posters that are complaining about this being a pro UBP blog take the survey?

Just wondering!

[ken on 23.02.06 at 15:11]

Scott P,

I highly doubt that St George's residents would take the ferry across the water to St David's, or to the airport when they can easily drive. In my opinion that would be a waste of having to pay for someone to drive the ferry and all the associated costs of maintaining it. I do know that the fast ferry runs to st George's as I see it go past my house on the North Shore. The frequency or seasonality of it I am not too sure about, but the way the island is set up, there is definitely more of a need for the ferries to service the western end more regularly.

GPS will help if a taxi driver chooses to park his vehicle, because it will show that his taxi is not on the road the required amount of hours. What happens after this is up to the Ministry. Taxi permits can be suspended if the taxi drivers are not living up to their end of the licence agreement.

In defence of Dame Jennifer, I would think that as Premier she was busier running the country (for better or for worse - because I know that statement will blow this topic wide open), so if her constituents felt a disconnect, that was part of the reason. However, in talking to some of her constituents, she has been much more visible in this term of office. With regard to Dean Foggo he was in the paper last week volunteering for drug testing. He is not a government Minister so there is no need for him to necessarily speak on the major issues. It is my understanding the the Foggo/Smith St. George's team has things well in control. If the St. George's constituents choose not to support them in 2008(?) then that is their choice. My point was that the Minister has more discretion over the Club med facility then the MP. Right or wrong, thats how it is.

At least you gave Dr Brown a compliment, however backhanded it might be. I believe though that governments waste too much time consulting the public on too many issues. Because we have voted you in, we therefore display a certain level of confidence in you...therefore I am of the opinion that you should go and do the country's work, and at the end of your term of office, you are judged accordingly.

[Bill Cook on 23.02.06 at 15:38]

I assume anyone is eligable to vote no ?

If that is the case do they fill in a questionaire ?

If not how do we know who voted?

Some may have the edge on me by having a crystal ball or a prejudiced mindset.

Unfortunately whe you run a poll on the UBP it will be of little value really as they are not the government.

It would be great if performance was not related to party thats the problem with party politics.

If you criticise any performance it will be a government member and you will be accused of attacking the party rather than an incompetent bungled performance of the minister in charge, a no win position,in my opinion.

[Scott P on 23.02.06 at 16:27]

Ken,

I completely disagree with you on a couple of points.

First, with the growth of the population in St. David's (people moving there from other areas in BDA) I believe that a ferry service in the east would be well received. We can't get buses into St. David's past 7 PM right now which is totally wrong. Dockyard gets buses in past 9 pm and St. David's can't get the same treatment. A ferry would give the people more options. Money should be no problem as we are currently overtaxed and the government ran a surplus last year.

Second, taxis are private businesses with government permits. I think it is wrong to make drivers work 16 hour days. Nobody else is required to work these long hours everyday. It is not practical for taxi owners to hire second drivers from a operating and insurance point of view. There is too much risk involved to the owners investment in the taxi.

Your points in defense of Dame Jennifer is lame. I'll leave it at that.

Also, goverments are selected by the people to serve the people. Politicians that don't listen and consult with the voting public on issues are wannabe dictators. This is Bermuda, not Dr. Brownville. He needs to consult with industry leaders as this is not his field of expertise. He has shown an aptitude for making decisions but an ill-informed decision is a bad one. He is playing with the lives of his countrymen and should not take that lightly. Not everyone is as rich or connected as he is.

[ken on 23.02.06 at 16:48]

Ok Scott P,

It is hilarious how Premier Scott has been branded a dictator, and now you are likening Dr Brown to a dictator. How in fact are they dictating? Because they aren't asking you for permission to take a piss??

With regard for the taxis, every business, private or public, has to abide by regulations. And these regulations they should be knowledgeable about. Point of clarification is that they do not have to drive the taxi for 16 hours a day...the taxi has to be on the road for 16 hours a day.

[Bill Cook on 23.02.06 at 17:31]

According to the Oxford dictionary the definition of a dictator is.

"A ruler with unrestricted authority"

As I interpret that it means one who goes ahead making decisions on behalf of we the people without consultation with us.

If he is a benevelent dictator maybe thats ok only time will tell of course.

[SmokingGun on 23.02.06 at 17:37]

Man would I love trying my hand at being a Benevolent Dictator....
It's all just a matter of trust.

[Bill Cook on 23.02.06 at 17:45]

Smoke,

Maybe the poll should have been based on trustworthiness ?

I always wanted to have a test of trust.

Like being up in a plane high above and being told to put a parachute on and jump.

You would be given a choice of 2 chutes based on who was the most trustworthy and if correct the chute would open but wrong and you are strawberry jam !!

That would be most revealing I think !

[SmokingGun on 23.02.06 at 17:51]

I think a better survey would have been to ask "Who has our trust".
Trust that they are trying to do a good job for Bermuda as a whole and not just for themselves.

Posted by SmokingGun on 23.02.06 at 12:27

Posted 5 hours ago Bill! :)

[The Limey on 23.02.06 at 18:00]

The poll measured the perceived effectiveness of the Cabinet members, as seen by readers of this site who chose to participate. It was not meant to be a scientific survey of Bermudian public opinion.

Does that make it useless? That's for you to decide. I agree that the results are probably skewed to the left of where they would be if Research Innovations had conducted a more scientific poll. I wonder whether the relative ordering of the members of Cabinet would change much though. Housing, education and crime are widely held to be the areas in which the PLP is doing the worst, so I wasn't surprised to see David Burch, Terry Lister and Randy Horton towards the bottom of the pile.

I don't think it matters if popularity factored into the results as well as perceived job performance. A more scientific survey wouldn't be able to prevent that happening either, and from the politician's point of view popularity is just as important as effectiveness if you want to get elected.

ken

I included a "neither satisfied nor dissatisfied" option because some of these people don't have a very high public profile, making it difficult for many people to assess their performance. Larry Mussenden, for example.

jake

The results didn't suggest that Larry Mussenden was "useless", just that their was slight dissatisfaction with his performance. An awful lot of people simply had no opinion of him.

Bill

176 responders. Not really a comprehensive view of Bermudian opinion.

Agreed. But note that the more scientific surveys conducted by Research Innovations only poll around 400 people.

[Triggerfish on 23.02.06 at 18:15]

"But note that the more scientific surveys conducted by Research Innovations only poll around 400 people."

Yes, but those 400 people constitute a demographically representative sampling of the Bermudian population. I'd venture to say the 176 people who took your poll do not represent the broad Bermudian community.

The accuracy of Walton Brown's sampling methods and the data drawn from them has been borne out at two successive general elections ... The infamous Hoover/Roosevelt Presidential poll of 1932 (which predicted a Hoover landslide) had 30-to-40,000 respondents. But these people (magazine subscribers) did not accurately reflect an American population attempting to deal with the realities of the Great Depression -- fully a third of whom were unemployed and could not afford food to put on the table let alone pay for magazine subscriptions. Needless to say, it was that poll that led to the beginning of modern scientific sampling methods ...

[The Limey on 23.02.06 at 18:17]

Triggerfish

Yes, but those 400 people constitute a demographically representative sampling of the Bermudian population. I'd venture to say the 176 people who took your poll do not represent the broad Bermudian community.

I don't disagree. I said the same at the top of my comment.

[Triggerfish on 23.02.06 at 18:32]

"I said the same at the top of my comment."

So you did. Open mouth, insert foot ...

[Point Finger on 23.02.06 at 18:43]

Ken,

This may be off thread, and don't mean to rain on your parade, the challenge the taxi drivers have is it is hard to find good reliable help to run a second shift their taxi. The taxi is their livelihood, if it gets wrecked and is off the road for a month they are screwed. How do they make a living?

Then you have government monitoring their every move via GPS, logging times etc, so they can remove the permit?

Man if government had the same resolve with inventory and material at Berkeley, there would not be a need for the other Berkeley cost overrun thread.

[Scott P on 23.02.06 at 21:10]

Point Finger,

That's what I meant when I posted earlier. Taxi owners can't rely on a second driver and don't want to take on the risk a second driver would create. It is not fair to make this demand on the owners.

It appears that this government picks and chooses where it will be responsible. That's a shame. The people of this country deserve better than this.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 17.03.06 at 13:15]

If the current government is as bad as many here claim it to be why are there no loud, well support political action groups demanding good governance?

If you take a close look at this site there are really only a handful of regular posters and while the majority may express displeasure with the current party and/or administration what is participation here realy accomplishing?

Let's face it, in many ways I am an outsider looking in and while I hear the relatively small number of people hear complaining I do not see any wide-spread expressions of complaint. Even through the letters to the editor the writers tend to be more or less the same signing on each letter.

This makes me believe that the current government is not necessary performing as badly overall as many on this site would try to make us believe.

Call me naive but surely if things are so bad there should be many, many more of the electorate loudly expressing their displeasure with the PLP. Is it that Bermudians are willing to simply accept mediocrity from its government? Is that people are simply afraid, for whatever reason, to voice their displeasure? Is it that in the big picture the PLP is not as bad a government as some wish it to be?

Could it be that because property values are still rising, inflation is still under control, there is still relatively no unemployment, international companies are still being attracted to Bermuda, that people realy don't see the situation as being that bad.

Could it be that by comparison, the PLP performance is about the same as the UBP's performance?

[sandgrownan on 17.03.06 at 13:17]

That's a fair comment Guilden, but it is a tad naive too. The reason that there are not mass demonstrations is that, by and large, most folks are doing very nicely thank you very much.

There are exceptions, and don't for one minute think that inflation is under control. The Governmental rate is one thing, but the real, on the street, rate is much much higher. Look at rents, utility bills, buying groceries and so on.

This government is worse than "we like to think" since given a healthy bank balance, a thriving economy, you would have thought it would be simple to solve the affordable housing crisis, deal with drugs and gang violence and the other social ills of the island. Folks are largely tolerant because none of the fuck ups (and Guilden this governement has made some howlers) don't directly affect the man in the street. For example, the country can afford the Berkeley scandal and the alledged fraud that casued it..it's sad.

So, the country moves on DESPITE the best efforts of the PLP government and most people are politically apathetic. Press them on any of these issues however, and you get a different response. This is why the UBP are an inadequate opposition.

[Point Finger on 17.03.06 at 13:18]

Guilden,

I'm an outsider looking in as well. I think there is a general dissatisfaction with the PLP, or bare minimum a disappointment in their performance.

I think Bermudians are more laid back, than say people in the US, and will wait until the an election to cast their votes. Unfortunately a vote every 5 years, we are just barely a democracy. Living in the US it is just an observation that the Westminister style has far less “checks and balances”, to try to hold politicians accountable, don’t care if it UBP or PLP.

The lack of moving forward with concrete results-instead of talk, on Housing, tourism, education etc for an island as small as Bermuda, where an effective government could make such a big impact is pathetic. How can the voters hold their "feet to the fire"

With Bermuda being so small, some may not want to rock the boat. Or a feeling "What can you do?", wait until the next election and vote is a common response.

[b,w&p?? on 17.03.06 at 13:20]

Guilden,
There is alot of apathy here for many of the reasons you have listed. Truth is, the island is coasting along under the steam of a large influx of money brought in by the IB community because that is the commodity we sell - set up long before the PLP came to power - and if that commodity ever becomes less attractive due to unfavourable and damaging PLP policies (independence for example) then I'm sure the public displeasure will become much more vocal. The general consensus is that the PLP are performing abysmally and a large portion of the public are disgusted with their behaviour, insulted by their remarks and wary of their action and motives - yes these, I would have to say, are the traditional UBP supporters, the swing voters and to a certain extent even the PLP supprters (and I say this as a person who once supported the UBP but was disillusioned by their actions and didn't vote for them in '98). But as is typical of Bermudians, we tend to lay back, talk amongst ourselves and take action when the time comes - I believe this will result in the PLP losing the next election.

[SmokingGun on 17.03.06 at 13:28]

Limey - aren't you missing one post?

[The Limey on 17.03.06 at 13:32]

Yours? Yes, unfortunately I don't have a copy of it as I deleted it from the old thread before my RSS reader had picked up a copy. Sorry about that. See, that's what happens when you respond to off-topic comments. ;-)

[Uncle Elvis on 17.03.06 at 13:35]

Personally, I'm not more active (starting up groups, letters to the editor, etc.) because I really don't want to be called a racist again. It gets a little wearing. If someone were to start something up... something I believed in... I would certainly support them, but I cannot be in the forefront. I cannot put my family through that sort of hurt. We've been through it once. We don't need, nor deserve, to go through it again.
Call it cowardice if you like, but I will not go through that again.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 17.03.06 at 13:45]

Uncle Elvis,

I understand your concerns and maybe that is one of the reasons that the the inefficiencies fo the PLP government are not being addressed by a broad section of the community. I do not consider you position cowardice, I think it more about self-preservation.

To All:

Please know that the purpose of my post was not to antagonize it was really to get a better understanding of why there aren't active measures to "bring" the government into line.

Sandgrownan raised a good point, many people are doing well and when that occurs those who are doing well will not show any real interest in aggressively getting involved.

[Bill Cook on 17.03.06 at 14:41]

As I said in other posts if we had a political

party with its main promotion " Apathy " it may well win in a heartbeat.

I and am sure others have been active in joining groups to improve our society in fact one such was in fact called " The Group " an anti drug organisation of which for a period I was the chairman.

When you look for VOLUNTEERS you will find that the hard, time consuming work falls on the same small group of people over and over again.

Its true until they are hit hard in the wallet and face REAL hardship, people will be quite happy to do SFA and are pleased that a small cadre are concerned enough to wipe Bda's Bum metaphorically speaking while they stay well out of sight, but some will attend committee meetings talk a lot but do little.

Some may find that comparing the UBP with the PLP is comparing petty theft with grand larceny if they compare actual figures that is,but I for sure am not going to anymore.

With a lot of people like myself who have been involved we have become disillusioned with being sidetracked by either politics and/or race when trying to tackle tough problems that really need being attended to and have quite simply said screw it I have had enough.

[ken on 04.10.06 at 09:05]

Please check the poll results in todays Royal Gazette regarding the performances of Ministers Cox, Brown, Burch, Minors, & Butler, and also how the public views the cabinet shuffle. It seems from the polls that the public is very much in support of these politicians. All of these Ministers received overall effective grades.
It shows how biased the readership of this site is, though, because through Limey's poll they all basically had unfavorable opinions, except Butler and Cox and they were just barely crossing the line. However Research Innovations poll shows a clear support for the Ministers of this PLP government regarding their effectiveness. With these results, the UBP will have a very difficult time ousting the Government. And these polls were taken directly after the Botanical Gardens hospital announcement.

[The Limey on 04.10.06 at 11:31]

ken

Effectiveness is not the only criterion on which people vote.

I would describe Dr. Brown as 'very effective', but would have great difficulty voting for him because of questions I have about his integrity and accountability.

I would describe Lt. Col. Burch as 'somewhat effective', but would have great difficulty voting for him because of his odious, sneering personality.

You also seem to be confusing opinion and bias again.

[ken on 04.10.06 at 11:53]

Limey,

U just can't really say anything positive at all about the govt can you?

[Pitts Bay on 04.10.06 at 13:53]

Ken

While the polls do show a lead to the PLP - the undecided, refusal to answer and margin for error should not give the PLP any comfort.

[The Limey on 04.10.06 at 15:33]

ken

Do you agree or disagree with my statement?

[ken on 04.10.06 at 15:48]

Limey, I agree to an extent. But i think your intention is to nullify the results. Which I think is being incorrect on your behalf. I think most people, and particular PLP supporters will vote PLP and believe that they are very effective. I think UBP supporters might think a PLP politician is effective but not like them so not vote for them. But these UBP supporters would have never voted PLP anyway, so that is no loss to the PLP. I would hope that if you think a politician is very effective you would then vote for that person because being effective means they are doing the job that is asked of them.

Pits Bay,
I am not talking about the polls from Monday and Tuesday on who you would vote for...I am talking about the ones about how effective the Ministers are.

[jake on 04.10.06 at 16:45]

Phil,

I think that effectiveness is a very good proxy for voting from the population as a whole.

I must say that I was surprised how many people polled differently from the poll here.

I think Ken's point is that as a population, the members of LIB are not representative of the population as a whole. That's fair.

That they are skewed in the direction of the UBP. That's fair too.

I just don't know why people get upset by that. If I wanted to talk only to PLP people there is no blog that I know of for it - and it would not be a learning process.

It is imformative to hear unbaised opinions in an anonymous forum...and to give them as well.

[Linda on 04.10.06 at 17:46]

I no longer put too much stock in polls. Prior to November of 1998, the polls had the UBP being re-elected. They were wrong then and I hope they are wrong again. Interesting though that your survey has Dr. Brown behind "put me in the picture" Butler, and the other poll has him ahead. Neither are buddies of mine, but I'd put more stock in Dr. Brown than Butler any day. At least you know where Dr. Brown is coming from.

[The Limey on 04.10.06 at 18:09]

jake

I think Ken's point is that as a population, the members of LIB are not representative of the population as a whole. That's fair.

That they are skewed in the direction of the UBP. That's fair too.

I agree. However, that's not the same as calling the readership of this site "biased".

ken

But i think your intention is to nullify the results.

It doesn't really matter what my intention is. Clearly, the results are what the results are. I assume that all Research Innovations polls are statistically sound. However, It doesn't stop me disagreeing with the majority view or your contention that this means the UBP will have difficulty beating the PLP at the next election. Let's discuss the reasoning behind our differing interpretations of the results instead of casting aspertions on each other's motives.

I would hope that if you think a politician is very effective you would then vote for that person because being effective means they are doing the job that is asked of them.

I will not vote for somewhat I suspect of being dishonest or corrupt, no matter how effective they are. But that's just me.

[ian on 04.10.06 at 18:46]

"I will not vote for somewhat I suspect of being dishonest or corrupt, no matter how effective they are. But that's just me."

Posted by The Limey on 04.10.06 at 18:09

Limey/Ken - I just jumped in on this and haven't read the whole thread, however on the question of effectiveness vs. dishonesty etc. I introduce the example of Canada's Liberal Government. They dominated the Canadian political scene for three terms, and were very effective by any definition. However, their undoing was brought about by complacency in the face of a financial scandal. They were dishonest about "adscam" (the scandal in question) and were visibily arrogant and corrupt (remind you of anyone??). The voters chose the uncharted waters of the Conservative Party (a fractured and weak opposition with little recent government experience) to demonstrate their displeasure - despite a very effective Liberal record in all major areas of concern (education, health, economy, etc.).

I daresay The Limey is on the right track here - being effective does not supersede the essential requirement of transparent and honest, open government!

[SmokingGun on 04.10.06 at 19:34]

Doc Brown is a very effective politician. His use of "Plantation Questions" and his "Diaspora Speech" etc. certainly empower the extremists and make him appear to be fighting for the freedom of the down-trodden. His "I can only tell you some of what I know, meanwhile trust me as I sell off our public golf course to the one's with the money" effectively told us all to just shut-up. I wouldn't say he's a particularly efficient politician after all I can't really tell what the cost to value ratio is for all the spending he's been doing. He certainly knows how to make sure his personal effects come first. He's very effective in making sure everyone effectively hasn't got a clue as to the real impact his hidden agendas will have on the island as a whole.

But just how effective are our pols? Well if there was some way of getting them all to get current with their respective audited budgets so we can see just how bloated our government is and all the inneficient spending we have going on then maybe we could have some honest discussion. Sooner rather than later there are going to be so many people working in government that things are going to pop and the cut-backs and lay-offs and the broken promises are all going to hit those that can least afford it. And the gravy train's going to ride off into the sunset with just a few of the connected who are making hay whilst the sun shines. And we'll all look back and say: "But they were effective."

[ken on 04.10.06 at 22:05]

But what is so annoying is that the tone of Limey's posts sound like he is upset that the PLP is polling well, and that the UBP is behind, as if the UBP conducted themselves in an transparent, ethical, and open manner.

[The Limey on 04.10.06 at 23:02]

ken

Oh for Christ's sake, stop whining. I've explained what I think about the poll results. Debate me on the points I've raised, instead of trying to ascribe motives to my comments that will allow you to fit my words into the pre-conceived notions you have of me.

Oh, and the subject of this thread is the poll ratings of members of the PLP. Don't waste your time trying to turn it into an attack on the UBP. The capabilities of the members of the PLP have nothing whatsoever to do with the capabilities of the UBP.

[ken on 05.10.06 at 08:38]

Getting a little edgy there Limey...must be the poll results that have you a bit upset!

[The Limey on 05.10.06 at 10:33]

lol, ken. Actually, a result of

1. Discovering that the DVR wasn't recording Lost, while
2. my son was throwing up all over me, and then
3. having to fight a war of attrition to get him to go to sleep.

[ken on 05.10.06 at 11:03]

Limey,

I figured as much!

[Ali on 06.10.06 at 16:35]

Onion, states that this is a UBP blog. I agree that more posters appear to be UBP supporters and I am one but there are some PLP supporters as well. Anybody can log on here, Limey has no control over who posts. Perhaps many PLP supporters just can't be bothered to participate or don't care as much about the direction the island is going, that's not the fault of the blog and probably explains why the polls were less than complimentary.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 06.10.06 at 18:28]

Ali,

"Perhaps many PLP supporters just can't be bothered to participate or don't care as much about the direction the island is going..."

May I ask where you draw your conclusion. Are you saying that if you don't participate on this site you don't care about the direction Bermuda is going in?

I think this site is more of a unification of those who do not support the PLP and they pat each other on the back because they agree with what each other says.

I would be more interested in finding out what the posters here are actually doing to impact the direction of Bermuda rather than read their complaints about what the PLP does or doesn't do. Can I ask if you are doing anything to impact the direction of Bermuda?

By the way, Limey does have control over who posts on this site. One poster, that I am aware of has already been banned from the site.