Premier Ewart Brown's popularity has climbed dramatically since reaching rock bottom after the Uighurs affair, according to a poll commissioned by the Progressive Labour Party.

The Premier has a favourability rating of 43 percent in the survey by American firm Research 2000 — compared with 27 percent in The Royal Gazette's last poll carried out by Research.bm at the end of June.

The PLP survey shows more people are in support of the Premier than against him, with 40 percent having an unfavourable opinion when quizzed between September 28 and October 1. Seventeen percent of people offered no opinion.

A breakdown on race shows 20 percent of whites are in favour, with 70 percent against; while 57 percent of blacks are in favour and 23 percent are against.

His popularity is strongest among 18- to 34-year-olds, with 57 percent of that age group in support and 24 percent against. Among people aged over 55, the Premier's favourability is 32 percent, with 54 percent against. Meanwhile the survey also showed the PLP has a 49 percent favourability rating, with 23 percent having an unfavourable opinion.

Among blacks, 68 percent are in favour of the PLP, with 13 percent against; among whites, 20 percent are in favour and 39 percent against.

Support for the PLP is much stronger among young people, with 62 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds in favour and 14 percent against; among over 55s the favourability rating falls to 39 percent, with 32 percent against.

A PLP spokesman said last night: "Despite a year-long campaign by the combined opposition to tear down the Premier, more voters view him favourably than not.

"While the Premier's critics may be louder, more visible and have greater access to media, it's clear that there is a silent plurality in Bermuda who are supportive of the PLP and the Premier."

Further details in the PLP's polls have not been released at this stage. The spokesman said if anything the survey should be skewed towards the UBP, based on the proportion of voters who told pollsters they voted UBP at the last General Election.

The telephone poll was of 603 likely voters and has a margin of error of no more than four percent.

Research.bm's previous poll, which took place amid public fury over Dr. Brown's handling of the arrival of four former Guantánamo Bay prisoners, showed at that stage he was more unpopular than any Premier since this newspaper began polling in 2004.

Some PLP sources say the latest poll could have been commissioned to help assess whether Dr. Brown should call a snap election, but it remains unclear whether the Premier will cash in on his improved ratings by sending people to the polls. He has stated he will do whatever is in the best interests of the PLP and Bermuda.

The PLP is staying tight-lipped about the contents of a televised political broadcast scheduled for Thursday night.

Many have speculated the Premier could be about to use that broadcast to announce an election, but sources close to Dr. Brown say he has not indicated that will be the case.