PN leader Simon Busuttil said that should he take notice of the surveys, he would simply give up. Replying to questions by The Malta Independent, Dr Busuttil said that he started with minus 36,000 votes. "I would have run away as far as possible. But I did not come here for the surveys."

Dr Busuttil said that there was one particular person who decided to run for leader because his party had only lost for 1,500 votes, clearly referring to Joseph Muscat. "He was pretty sure that he would become Prime Minister after five years."

"I always had the clear plan in mind, and this is what keeps me going. My hope comes from the fact that my campaign is based on honesty and integrity." He said he knew Joseph Muscat from before the time he came to Malta to serve as PL leader. "I know what is he made out of," he added.

"I said this is in his face during Xarabank. I told him if I hadn't known you before, I would have believed you too."

Dr Busuttil said that he can recall Joseph Muscat before the EU referendum coming up with the "stupidest arguments to keep us out."

Simon Busuttil was replying to questions by journalists following a press conference held at Mater Dei.