Latest poll shows PUP still unpopular

The results of a recent public opinion poll, mirroring those conducted over the last few years, are suggesting that Belizeans countrywide are dissatisfied with the Musa administration. The survey “Peoples Perception of Election 2008” was the brainchild of former director of research and present registrar at the University of Belize, Dr. Roy Young, but the Belizean Studies Resource Centre of St. John’s College also provided technical support. According to S.J.C.’s Yasmine Andrews, using systematic random sampling, over the weekend U.B. students conducted phone interviews in every district. Pollsters asked questions like “Who would you vote for as the next Prime Minister?” and “Which party would you vote for to form the next Government of Belize?” Of the four hundred and thirty people sampled, fourteen point nine percent said they’d vote for Said Musa as Prime Minister and eighty-four point six percent said they won’t. Fifty-five point seven percent of those same people said they’d elect Dean Barrow as Prime Minister, while forty-four point one percent said they would not choose Barrow as P.M. As for the popularity of the two mass parties, the results were virtually the same as for the two party leaders. The poll also divided the results by district, and put Barrow clearly ahead of Musa countrywide. Barrow’s lowest percentage, in Corozal, was forty-three point one percent, while Musa’s highest approval rating, in Orange Walk, was only twenty six point five percent. The survey also took account of the so called third parties and their leaders, but the resulting percentages were all less than double digit approval when interviewees were asked if they’d elect Cornelius Dueck, Paul Morgan, Wil Mahiea, or Hipolito Bautista as Prime Minister.