THE findings of an opinion poll conducted by NACTA over the last week in Trinidad reveal that two years after she was elected leader of the UNC, there is no threat to Kamla Persad Bissessar’s leadership of the ruling party. If an election were held for leader now, Kamla would win handily again against any opponent, as UNC supporters do not see any alternative in the making. However, party supporters are not pleased with the performance of the party’s executive, although it does not appear that there is any serious threat to a slate of candidates led by Kamla for control of the executive in upcoming internal elections.
People are also not very pleased with the government’s performance, and are losing faith in the government’s inability to control crime, kick start the economy, hold down prices, etc. However, although a majority express dissatisfaction with the performance of the government, people still like the Prime Minister who continues to enjoy relatively high approval ratings. The findings also show Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley with rising approval numbers, but people do not view his PNM as a viable alternative because of  internal wranglings. The findings also show people are also not pleased with the way Senior Counsel was recently conferred on lawyers, viewing it as politically motivated and feel that an independent body should be established to appoint Silks.
The poll, conducted by Vishnu Bisram, interviewed 350 respondents reflecting the demographics of the population.  The findings have a margin of error of 5%.
People are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the government with only 37% expressing satisfaction with its performance. However, they do not see the PNM as a viable alternative for governance and Kamla trumps Dr. Rowley in popularity.
Kamla’s approval rating of 57% got a boost from trips to India and Australia, with government supporters rallying strongly behind her on an honour conferred by India. Asked if they are proud of the honour conferred on Kamla by the Indian government, 68% said yes. Asked if they think the P.M’s trip to India will redound to the benefit of T&T, 56% said yes with 32% saying no.
Dr. Rowley has seen his approval rating shoot up to 43% for his queries on government’s undertakings, but PNM supporters are concerned about what they see as a division within their party and its leadership.
On the Silk controversy, asked if they think the appointment of Silk was politically motivated, 78% said yes.  Asked if they agree with the judges returning their Silk, 79% said yes. Asked if the appointment of Silk should be turned over to an independent body, 80% said yes.
Asked if they think the Clico Commission of Enquiry will result in anyone being held accountable for wrongdoing, only 7% said yes pointing out that virtually no one was charged from previous enquiries.
Queried about the most productive Ministers, Jack Warner (Works) and Glenn Ramadhar (People) are neck and neck with Roodal Moonilall (Housing), Vasant Bharath (Food), Fazal Karim (Tertiary Education)and Fuad Khan (Health)  in the running and others trailing way behind.