PM Kamla still enjoys majority support, PP can win another majority: Poll

When Kamla Persad-Bissessar took office as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago she promised to lead with compassion and preside over a government dedicated to serving the people.

One month after the took office, an opinion poll revealed that 68 per cent of respondents approved of her performance. 

Today, just days before she celebrates her first year in office a new public opinion poll shows that a majority of citizens still approve of her. And the poll also suggests that if an election were held today the People's Partnership would be returned to office with a majority.

The poll by Market Facts and Opinion (MFO) done between April 18 and 28 suggested that her approval rating is 54 per cent.

In addition the poll said the majority of respondents felt the Prime Minister would do a better job over the next four years. 

It said 45 per cent of the sample felt Persad-Bissessar's performance as Prime Minister would improve, with 25 per cent expecting it would remain consistent and 18 per cent feeling it would get worse.

MFO also said one in every two persons interviewed approved of the performance of Persad-Bissessar in her role of Prime Minister.

The poll also suggested that the majority of the population have confidence in 

Persad-Bissessar's ability to work with business leaders to help grow the economy (60 per cent) and to minimise food price inflation. On both issues she had a 60 per cent rating. 

The poll also suggested that the majority of citizens - 60 per cent - respect the Prime Minister.

What about achievements in the first year?

The poll suggested that the most significant one were the distribution of laptop computers to high school children the establishment of the Children's Life Fund. However the poll said 40 per cent of respondents could think of no significant achievement.

The survey noted that the lowest point for the Prime Minister in her first year was the Reshmi Ramnarine matter. 

One of the more interesting findings of the poll is that the People's Partnership could win a majority again if an election were held today. It said 70 per cent of respondents said they would vote the same way they did in 2010.

Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner got the highest rating among his ministerial colleagues with 61 per cent of respondents saying he is the best performer among the ministers. People's Minister Glenn Ramadharsingh was second at 13 per cent; Winston Dookeran got only one per cent.