Michael Dunkley has a 17-point lead over Marc Bean in newly released approval ratings from Global Research and Strategy Group.

The Premier achieved a rating of 48 per cent, compared with 31 per cent for the Opposition leader, in the poll carried out in June. Mr Dunkley has a disapproval rating of 39 per cent, against 57 per cent for Mr Bean.

A breakdown by race shows the Premier scored a 79 per cent approval rating from white voters and 32 per cent from blacks; Mr Bean had 5 per cent from whites and 46 per cent from blacks.

The poll of 403 registered voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 per cent.

It comes after the release of a Profiles of Bermuda poll, carried out between April and May, which showed Mr Dunkley and Mr Bean both had an approval rating of 47 per cent.