A total of 58 per cent of respondents to The Malta Independent’s online survey believe that the absolute majority vote achieved by the Malta Labour Party in the local elections will be reflected in the next general elections.

The word on the street is that the (Nationalist Party) government is facing a wake-up call in the face of the results it achieved in the local elections. Many topics of conversations included the fact that not only had the MLP won consistently, it had also won in traditionally-Nationalist strongholds, such as Mosta and in Gozo.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents said they believed that what happened in the local elections would be reflected in the outcome of the general election. On the flip side, 42 per cent said they did not think this was the case.

Some comments made about the poll include: “The record of PM Gonzi and his party is obviously negative. As registered PN supporters, the hunters without a doubt have the upper hand. I hope and pray that the MLP will fail to influence the council’s elections. Two negatives never make a ‘positive’.”

Another respondent said: “Pity the present government is burying (its) head under the sand and not facing reality and what is really relative and realistic to our islands. But there again history repeats itself and next year we will wake up to a new Labour government – just read the writing on the wall – very clear guys…”

One of the ‘no’ respondents said: “It will not reflect the result of the general election because people are ready to make a protest in local elections and unfortunately they are not ready to vote against their family beliefs. Unfortunately in a general election, most of the people still vote according to what their favourite party says.”

Another respondent chipped in: “The British Services pensioners do not vote for the PN because we are being robbed of our pension. We vote for the MLP as Dr Sant said that it will be written in the electoral programme. The PN should at least give it to those over the age of 75.”

So, it seems that many people do believe that the MLP will carry off a majority in the next general elections. However, the old maxim also seems to hold true that the people of Malta only use their vote in protest when it comes to local or European Parliamentary elections. We wait with bated breath.