Bermuda opinion poll want Premier to step down

A new opinion poll published today in Bermuda has shown that a significant number of citizens want Premier Ewart Brown to adhere to his schedule and step down from office in October.



According to the poll, support for the 64-year-old Brown to remain as head of the government has fallen most dramatically among the majority black community, with 82 per cent now hoping he goes, up from 46 per cent six months ago.



The poll published in the Royal Gazette newspaper also shows that among whites, 96 per cent want to see a new Progressive Labour Party leader in October, up from 85 per cent in January.



The pollsters questioned 400 people between July 2 -6 and has a margin of error of minus 4.9.



Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox has edged ahead of backbencher Dale Butler as the candidate most people would like to take over from Brown, whose four-year term as leader ends in October.