Public feels Irfaan Ali Govt more caring, compassionate

Dear Editor,
According to an opinion poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) on contemporary issues, the public finds the President Irfaan Ali-led PPP Administration has done or achieved more than the preceding APNU+AFC regime in governance in a variety of areas.
The public feels the five-month-old Irfaan Ali Administration has shown it is more caring and compassionate than the coalition Government.
The survey was conducted in mid-January. Some 470 respondents were interviewed, to represent the varied demographics of the population (40% Indians, 30% Africans, 19% Mixed, 10% Amerindians, 1% Others).
Based on the findings of the poll, the public feels the PPP Administration has made a greater effort than APNU in implementing measures to create jobs (increase employment) in the public and private sectors. The general perception among the population is that, under APNU, thousands of jobs were lost in the public as well as private sectors, as businesses shrunk.
Respondents feel that APNU almost exclusively hired its supporters, whereas, under the current Ali Administration, jobs are open for all, regardless of political affiliation or ethnicity.
Asked which Government has done more to create jobs, PPP leads APNU+AFC 61% to 28% with 11% not offering a response or saying “not sure”.
Asked which Government has done more to help farming communities and rescue agriculture, PPP betters APNU 79% to 12% to 9%.
On which Government (has) made a greater effort to turn around the economy, PPP is ahead of APNU+AFC 57% to 38%, with 5% saying not sure.
Queried on which Government (has) attracted more investments into the country, PPP leads APNU 74% to 15% with 11% not offering a response.
Asked which Government did or has done more to crack down on corruption, 56% said PPP, with 36% saying APNU+AFC and 8% not sure.
Asked which Government has demonstrated more empathy and compassion for the public during the COVID pandemic, PPP batters APNU overwhelmingly, 82% to 11%, with 7% not giving a response.
The general perception among non-APNU+AFC supporters is that the APNU-led administration had focused on helping its own supporters, rather than the entire population.
The public also feels that people are better off today under the PPP than they were under the coalition, 59% to 34%.
Asked how confident they are of the country’s future under the Ali-led administration, 23% said extremely, 28% very, 22% somewhat, 21% not confident, and 6% offered no response.
Asked if they approve of the performance of the Government, 68% said yes, with 25% disapproving and 7% not offering a rating.
Respondents signal support for Presidential outreach, with ministers interacting with communities all over the country.
President Ali’s approval rating is 73%, with a disapproval rating of 22%.

Sincerely,
Dr Vishnu Bisram
(Pollster and political
analyst)