Premier Alex Scott?s recent cabinet reshuffle has the backing of more than half the people polled in a new survey, it can be revealed today.

New Education Minister Neletha Butterfield, who moved from Environment to replace Terry Lister in the shock shake-up, is the most popular appointment.

Two thirds of those questioned (66 percent) said they were happy the veteran educator was now in the schools? hot seat.

Only 27 percent were dissatisfied with the move.

Elsewhere, Alex Scott?s decision to make long time unionist Derrick Burgess the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, a move which the Premier himself accepted would raise eyebrows, also appears to have won support.

More than 60 percent of those polled said they were satisfied with a change that saw Mr. Burgess replace Randy Horton in charge of crime, work permits and employment.

A total of 32 percent, however, were unhappy with the appointment.

Elsewhere, Mr. Burgess? predecessor at Home Affairs, Randy Horton, scored the lowest approval rating of the three new Ministers.

But the survey revealed that just over 55 percent were happy with Mr. Horton?s appointment, with 37 percent stating they were dissatisfied.

The phone survey was carried out between September 14 and 17 ? a fortnight after the September 1 reshuffle when Mr. Lister resigned citing personal reasons.

Detailed breakdowns of the results, based on gender, age, salaries and race, show that the new Education Minister has support across the board.

Seventy percent of men are happy with her appointment, compared to 64 percent of women.

More than 65 percent of those in the18-35, 36-54 and 55-plus age ranges expressed their satisfaction.

Ms Butterfield?s biggest support is among less well off and black voters, with 73 percent of people with a household income of less than $50,000 backing her, alongside 71 percent of blacks. A total of 22 percent of blacks were against her move.

A fifth of poorer voters, however, say they are not happy with Ms Butterfield?s new role in Government.

In the $100,000-plus income bracket, 68 percent backed her while 27 percent were opposed.

The new Education Minister got a 59 percent satisfaction rating from white voters; 37 percent were unhappy with the switch.

Meanwhile, the poll showed that Mr. Burgess got a 72 percent approval rating from black voters.

Fifty-five percent of whites disapproved of his appointment, with 41 percent approving.

Richer voters were split on the wisdom of making the former leader of the Bermuda Industrial Union the Home Affairs supremo.

Exactly half of the people polled with household incomes of $100,000-plus were satisfied with Mr. Burgess? appointment, however, 45 percent were unhappy.

Mr. Horton, who when the reshuffle was announced said he was very disappointed to leave Home Affairs, got a 60 percent backing from poorer voters.

Half of those in the richest earnings bracket gave him the thumbs up, with 44 percent opposed.

Some 63 percent of black voters said they were satisfied with him being handed the green portfolio; 28 percent disagreed.

But the majority of white voters were unhappy with the move: 52 percent registered their dissatisfaction, although 44 percent approved.