Deputy Premier Paula Cox's popularity has climbed to a new height — as the rest of Bermuda's political leaders continue to struggle to find favour with the public.

A Research.bm poll shows 75 percent of people have a favourable impression of the Finance Minister, up from 71 percent in July.

Premier Ewart Brown's favourability has climbed slightly during the same period, from 30 percent to 32 percent.

But the number of people giving the lowest possible mark to the Premier has also risen, with 31 percent awarding him a rating of one out of five, up from 26 percent.

United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan's favourability has gone down from 36 percent to 30 percent, with the proportion giving him bottom marks rising from nine percent to 15 percent.

And just nine percent of people have a favourable impression of deputy Opposition leader Cole Simons, down from 15 percent three months ago.

The number of people who answered "don't know" when asked for their views on Mr. Simons has crept up from 29 percent to 30 percent.

Ms Cox recently stated she does not plan to challenge Dr. Brown at this month's annual Progressive Labour Party delegates conference, although she is believed to have a large support base among delegates.

She has said she would be interested in the top job, but only under the right circumstances and has pointed to the need for stability.

PLP leaders are selected by party delegates with the next mandated contest not due until 2010, but a special delegates conference can be forced if there is enough support for change.

The poll shows Ms Cox has support among every section of the population.

Eighty percent of young people are in favour; 67 percent of seniors; 83 percent of blacks; 61 percent of whites; 72 percent of men; and 77 percent of women.

Opinion of Dr. Brown is markedly higher among blacks, with 48 percent in favour, compared with just seven percent of whites and 16 percent of others. Slightly more men (36 percent) than women (30 percent) have a favourable opinion of him.

In a separate question about Dr. Brown's performance as Premier, people were asked to give an approval rating of one to seven.

The number giving him the maximum score was seven percent, while 14 percent gave him the minimum.

Support for Mr. Swan is higher among whites, with 47 percent in favour, compared with 23 percent of blacks and 27 percent of others.

Ms Cox did not reply to a request for a comment over the weekend.

Dr. Brown's Press Secretary Glenn Jones said there was no comment from the Premier but pointed out the United Bermuda Party had fared badly.

Likewise, Mr. Swan pointed out the PLP had fared badly. See the article on the UBP poll results for Mr. Swan's comment in full.