The One Bermuda Alliance is clinging on to a one-point lead over the Progressive Labour Party — with both receiving a thumbs down for their performance.

The OBA has a 38-37 advantage on the PLP in a poll commissioned by The Royal Gazette this month, compared with its 38-36 lead in the previous survey in June.

With 25 per cent of people refusing to back either party, both the OBA and the PLP found voters were much more likely to say they disapproved of their performance.

Just 25 per cent of people said they approved of the ruling OBA’s performance, with 44 per cent saying they disapproved; 23 per cent of people approved of the Opposition PLP’s performance, with 46 per cent disapproving.

However, the leaders and deputies of both parties all saw their own performance approval ratings improve, with Michael Dunkley, the Premier, still in front with 42 per cent.

The telephone survey of 402 registered voters by Global Research took place between September 6 and September 12 and has a margin of error of +/- 5 per cent.

A breakdown by race shows that both parties are continuing to rely on their traditional bases. Among whites, 78 per cent said they would vote OBA, down from 87 per cent three months ago; and 4 per cent would vote PLP, up from 2 per cent.

Among blacks, 14 per cent said they would vote OBA, up from 13 per cent; and 63 per cent would vote PLP, up from 53 per cent. The OBA still has the male vote and the PLP has the female vote. Among men, 41 per cent picked OBA and 31 per cent said PLP; among women 35 per cent voted OBA, with 43 per cent picking PLP.

Mr Dunkley’s approval rating is a two-point improvement on his rating three months ago.

He gets support from 68 per cent of whites and 27 per cent of blacks; from 40 per cent of men and 45 per cent of women; and 55 per cent of people aged between 55 and 65.

Marc Bean, the Leader of the Opposition, who went on medical leave in March, has a performance approval rating of 23 per cent, up from 22 per cent three months ago.

He gets backing from 8 per cent of whites and 35 per cent of blacks.

Bob Richards, the Minister of Finance and the OBA’s deputy leader, has a performance rating of 25 per cent, up from 23 per cent.

He gets support from 44 per cent of whites and 11 per cent of blacks. David Burt, the Shadow Minister of Finance who has been Acting Leader of the Opposition in Mr Bean’s absence, has a performance approval rating of 37 per cent, up from 32 per cent.

He gets support from 11 per cent of whites and 55 per cent of blacks. In addition, favourability ratings were recorded based on how much people liked the politicians.

Mr Dunkley scored 44 per cent, Mr Bean 27 per cent, Mr Richards 31 per cent and Mr Burt 39 per cent.