These results are from a nationwide survey on current issues by the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, for the T&T Guardian. The main intention of this survey is to assess popular opinion on a number of major issues. A representative random sample of 503 respondents were interviewed and comprised people 18 years and over with 34 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 40 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 25 per cent mixed and one per cent other ethnic groups.
The sample consisted of 51 per cent females. Respondents were selected using the Random Digit Dialling Method. The margin of error is plus or minus four per cent. This poll was conducted during the period May 10-12 and was supervised by Dr Derek Chadee, director, ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre and senior lecturer, Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine.
With regard to this question, respondents were most likely to rate the performance of the Prime Minister since taking office in May 2010 as “fair.” Precisely, eight per cent said “excellent,” 26 per cent “good,” 41 per cent “fair,” 19 per cent “poor” and six per cent “extremely poor.” For the analysis that follows, “good” and “excellent” were recoded into a single category and “extremely poor” and “poor” were also placed into a single category.
An analysis of responses across ethnic groups revealed a 34 per cent difference in the proportion of Indo-Trinidadians and Afro-Trinidadians who rated Prime Minister’s performance as “good.” Specifically, 51 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 26 per cent mixed and 17 per cent Afro-Trinidadians gave this response. Afro-Trinidadians (50 per cent) were the most likely to state “fair” followed by mixed respondents (42 per cent) and Indo-Trinidadians (34 per cent).
Indo-Trinidadians were the least likely to rate the Prime Minister’s performance as “poor”, with 33 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 32 per cent mixed and 15 per cent Indo-Trinidadians giving this rating.
Analysing responses by sex showed marginal differences across all responses. The Prime Minister’s performance since taking office in May 2010 was rated as “good” by 35 per cent males and 32 per cent females. Similar findings were also observed between females (41 per cent) and males (41 per cent) stating “fair.” A rating of “poor” was given by 27 per cent female and 24 per cent male respondents.
Analysing responses by age showed people of the 31-40 age group were most likely to rate the performance of the Prime Minister as “good.” Specifically, 34 per cent of the 18-30 age group, 40 per cent 31-40, 35 per cent 41-50 and 30 per cent of those in the 51-plus age group said “good.” Marginal differences were observed for the response “fair,” with 40 per cent of people 18-30 years, 41 per cent 31-40, 41 per cent 41-50 and 41 per cent of those 51 years and older giving this response.
The Prime Minister was given a performance rating of “poor” by 26 per cent of respondents 18-30 years old, 19 per cent 31-40, 24 per cent 41-50 and 29 per cent of people 51 and older. With regard to education, the Prime Minister’s performance rated “good” by 38 per cent primary, 34 per cent technical/vocational, 33 per cent secondary and 31 per cent tertiary educated people.
Secondary educated people were the most likely to state “fair,” with 47 per cent secondary, 43 per cent tertiary, 40 per cent technical/vocational and 26 per cent primary educated person giving that response. A performance rating of “poor” was given to the Prime Minister by 36 per cent primary, 26 per cent tertiary, 26 per cent technical/ vocational, and 20 per cent secondary educated respondents.
TREND ANALYSIS
How do you rate the performance of the Prime Minister from May 2010?
A trend analysis of four poll results since 2011 shows a downward trend in positive ratings, and an upward trend in negative ratings on the performance of the Prime Minister since assuming office in 2010. Specifically, in February 2011, 43 per cent of people gave the Prime Minister a positive rating. However, two years later, this rating fell by nine points.
“Fair” ratings fluctuated by two-three points over the same period, with an average of 40 per cent of total ratings. In February 2011, 19 per cent of respondents gave a rating of “poor” with regard to the Prime Minister’s performance since assuming office in 2010. However, these ratings have increased by six points within the last two years.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
How do you rate the performance of the Prime Minister from May 2010?
EXTREMELY POOR/POOR
She is yet to keep many of her election promises.
A lot more can be done for the people of this nation.
She is letting other ministers influence her.
She needs to speak to the public directly as a leader.
FAIR
She is trying very hard.
She is trying but some of the same problems still exist.
They have made lots of promises which are still to be fulfilled.
She has good intentions but needs more support from her cabinet.
GOOD/EXCELLENT
She has been doing a good job.
She has never neglected the needs of the people.
She has kept some of her campaign promises.
How would you rate the performance of the Prime Minister since she took office in May 2010?
Excellent eight per cent
Good 26 per cent
Fair 41 per cent
Poor 19 per cent
Extremely poor six per cent