Just under half of people approve of Senator Jeff Baron’s performance, according to a poll commissioned by himself.

The Minister of National Security personally paid for the survey by Global Research last month, which asked registered voters their impressions of him and advice for how he could better serve the public.

His performance approval rating was 49 per cent — comparing favourably with all four political party leaders and deputies on the island — with 17 per cent of people disapproving and 34 per cent unsure.

A breakdown by race showed he was approved by 76 per cent of whites and 37 per cent of blacks.

The poll also found 55 per cent of people were aware of Mr Baron, including 68 per cent of whites and 48 per cent of blacks.

Some 51 per cent of people said they had a favourable impression of him, including 77 per cent of whites and 39 per cent of blacks, with 17 per cent having an unfavourable impression and 32 per cent unsure.

Asked how the One Bermuda Alliance politician could better serve people, the most popular answer, from 26 per cent, was to reduce violence and guns.

Next came “keep doing what you are doing” from 22 per cent, with 7 per cent each for “be transparent”, “listen to the people” and “ensure equality for all”.

Other answers included:

• Reach out to grassroots Bermudians (5 per cent)

• Be more visible (5 per cent)

• Increase communication (4 per cent)

• Be friendlier and more humble (4 per cent)

• Try not to come across as arrogant, self-centred or condescending (4 per cent).

Mr Baron took over as Minister of National Security in May when the previous incumbent, Michael Dunkley, opted to concentrate on his job as Premier.

The telephone poll of 400 registered voters took place between November 18 to 25, a week before the major protest outside the House of Assembly that led to intense criticism of police actions.

It has a margin of error of +/- 5 per cent at the 95 per cent confidence level. A poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette during the same week found Mr Dunkley had a performance approval rating of 36 per cent, with Progressive Labour Party leader David Burt scoring 30 per cent, deputy OBA leader Bob Richards 19 per cent and deputy PLP leader Walter Roban 15 per cent.