Is politics really so black and white?

Government satisfaction levels have varied sharply according to race during the past five administrations, according to a new poll.

In the past 15 years, the only time more white residents have been satisfied with their Government than black residents was after Craig Cannonier came to power in December 2012. The poll shows that between 1999 and 2012
satisfaction with Government amongst blacks fluctuated between around 80 per cent and just over 40 per cent.

During that same time period, satisfaction amongst whites peaked at 60 per cent after Alex Scott came to power, but in the main remained well below 40 per cent.

It even dipped to under 10 per cent during Premier Dr Ewart Brown.

The survey, by Total Research Associates from The Bermuda Omnibus, reveals the deep racial disparity in how blacks and whites have viewed their Governments since 1999.

PLP MP Rolfe Commissiong told the Sun the poll told a ‘tale of two cities’.

He added: “It’s so definitive in terms of the disparity in perception between black and white over that 15-year period, as to be somewhat obscene.

“For example, at no time during the whole tenure of the Progressive Labour Party government, from 1999 through to 2012, did whites who were surveyed ever express a higher level of satisfaction than blacks did with respect to the performance of the then government.”

 Thad Hollis, chairman of the One Bermuda Alliance, told the Bermuda Sun the poll showed the need for unity on the island.

He said: “It reflects the pressing need to get the island working better for the thousands who remain out of work or earning less than they need to get by; to building the better Bermuda so many are depending on.”

Before the current administration, the satisfaction of white residents never rose above 50 per cent except for a short period between 2003 and 2004 under Alex Scott.

Mr Commissiong said: “This is remarkable because Bermuda experienced an unprecedented economic boom presided over by the PLP government during most of that period that benefited both black and white Bermudians; but those who would have disproportionately benefited from it would have been in the main white Bermudians and in particular Bermuda’s white-dominated business class.

“During that period  Bermuda’s GDP in fact doubled, creating the largest economic expansion or boom in Bermuda’s history.

“The only time over the last 15 years, as the graph reveals, where we do see the satisfaction levels of whites exceed those of black Bermudians by a wide margin was immediately after the last election when the white, largely Anglo-dominated One Bermuda Alliance began their tenure as government. Of course some of that would have been due to the steep recession and other related issues. But even here, the disparity between black and white, 86 per cent against 43 per cent respectively is such, as to be very disquieting.”

Mr Hollis told the Sun that the OBA was committed to building a Bermuda where there is more unity between Bermudians than in the past.

He said” “It will take time, good policies, honest dialogue and lots of goodwill to break down the divisions the island’s politics have kept alive for generations, and which can be seen in the divide that this and other polls show all too clearly.

“Our goal is One Bermuda, made possible by a continuous push toward a society that achieves social and economic equity — no exceptions, with a level of compassion that never stops reaching out to make sure no one is left behind.

“It is tragic that economic mismanagement in recent years has seriously weakened the island’s capacity to do more for the people.

“We nevertheless see the goodness of people coming to the fore in many areas, reaching out to keep individuals, families and communities healthy, strong and moving forward.

“That is the stuff — the mortar — that will help us build the good future everyone wants. Let’s not see the current divides as an expression of the future to come, but the past we are leaving behind.”