Low public confidence that Government can fix economy
One in four people believe Government can turn around Bermuda’s economic woes.Twenty-five percent of voters in a new poll by Mindmaps said they were confident in Government’s ability to develop policies to improve the economy.Thirty-three percent said they were not confident, with 38 percent unsure.The poll of 405 registered voters was carried out between Monday last week and Monday this week, with Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox delivering her Budget on Friday.A breakdown of the results shows faith in Government is highest among the older generation, with 44 percent of over 65s confident, compared with 15 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds and 19 percent of 35- to 44-year-olds.Thirty-seven percent of blacks said they were confident, compared with just three percent of whites.In a separate question, 33 percent of people reported they are better off than last year, with 60 percent saying they are not better off.The youngest and oldest sections of the voting public gave the most positive answers, with 42 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds and 42 percent of over 65s saying they were better off. This compared to just 19 percent of 55- to 64-year-olds.Forty-two percent of whites said they were better off now, compared with just 15 percent of blacks.The poll has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.