THOSE IN favour say 'aye'. Those against? 'Nay!' And, the 'nays' have it.

But only just, as it seems the Portia Simpson Miller-led government has come up short on the issue of performance, according to the latest Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll.

A total of 38 per cent of the 1,008 respondents gave the Government the 'thumbs down' on performance, while a total of 33 per cent saw them in a positive light. They were responding to the question: "Do you think Government is doing a very good, or a good job; or is it doing a very bad, or a bad job; or is it doing neither a good nor bad job?"

A good job

But what is a good job?

Dr. Trevor Munroe, professor of Government and Politics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), says there are some fundamental questions that must be taken into consideration in order to arrive at a decision.

"The first question should be: 'Does the Government have programmes which are designed to uplift the people economically, socially and culturally?'" says the lecturer and part-time talk show host.

"Secondly, 'Are these programmes being implemented efficiently and effectively?' And, 'Is the Government transparent ... responsive to people's opinions ... being fair (not discriminating) ... and free from corruption?".

According to the poll - which has a plus or minus three per cent margin of error - 19 per cent of the respondents are on the borderline, as they believe the Government is neither doing a good nor a bad job.

Thirty-two-year-old university graduate and entrepreneur, Karel Dawes, said 'Aye' when she was asked if she would give the Government a pass mark. But she was quick to point out that there was room for improvement in performance.

"I think the Government is doing a good job with regards to infrastructure. In fact, they should be commended for the roads and housing solutions which they have put in place," said the mother of two.

On the other hand, 34-year-old resident of Hannah Town, Christopher Hooper's voice bellows, "Nay" because, in his view, "nothing is happening in my community."

In the meantime, the jury is still out as far as 10 per cent of the respondents are concerned!

Voters' views

How would you rate the performance of the government at this time?

Would you say the government is doing a very good job; a good job; a bad job; a very bad job or doing neither a good or a bad job?

Response

Very good - 5%
Good - 28%
Not good or bad - 19%
Bad - 18%
Very bad - 20%
Don't know - 10%

- Brian Bonitto