According to a survey conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram for NACTA, after a month of UNC in office, reveals that Kamla Persad Bissessar’s popularity has surged significantly since she became Prime Minister and from before the elections when she led the then opposition UNC into the election. Kamla is the leader of the UNC that won 26 seats in general elections on April 28. She was sworn in as PM on May 3. The survey was conducted over the last couple weeks.
The surge in popularity, approval, and favorability ratings is primarily being driven by likability of Kamla herself, her selection of officials, her forthrightness, public announcements on state of affairs including the economy, and the willingness of the public to give her time to turn around the economy and to improve governance. The public, frustrated with the governance of the previous administration, and the media are giving Kamla and the government a honeymoon period that normally lasts for 100 days. The public is patient for now, willing to give her time. They rate Kamla (UNC)’s governance as being better than that of the predecessor. But the administration will have to start delivering soon.
Kamla’s job approval favorable rating a month after being sworn in has reached a record high of 84% (with a mere 9% negative and 7% neutral) when she was hovering around 50% at the time of the election. This is a huge jump in favorability compared with previous surveys prior to the elections and rivaling numbers when she first became PM in May 2010. She now seems more popular than any previous Prime Minister based on available opinion surveys going back to the 1970s.
The latest survey, conducted over the last couple weeks, finds that almost every person, supporter of every party, has a favorable view of PM Kamla. Her selection of candidates for the general election and for ministerial appointments as well as for the Senate are paying dividends, influence public perception of her and her government. Her candidate selection in marginals found favor, winning several and almost winning a few others. There is a notable increase in support for Kamla among traditional PNM supporters. There is substantial backing from UNC supporters and independents contributing to her growing momentum in popularity. And almost every traditional UNC supporter backs her.
