A number of billboards used by the government to promote the Brian May concert and Malta’s 10 years in the EU celebrations have now been replaced... by adverts promoting a brand of canned tuna.

It was an ironic twist given the political developments of the past weeks.

Late last month, the Nationalist Party slammed the government’s 2 cents reduction in petrol prices, saying that the pomp behind the announcement was reminiscent of the days when the government would announce reductions in the price of canned tuna and expect thanks from the public.

Whether coincidental or intentional, the canned tuna billboards could not have come at a more fitting time.