This is the sentence you come across, occasionally, during house visits. It is also a statement made by many in gatherings of some sort and different occasions. It’s a proud moment when the person announces to the world that he will not vote next time round.

There are voters who say this from both parties, but for the Nationalist voter it is now fashionable to say “I am not voting”. For the Nationalist voter the reasoning is somewhat vague. The reasons are that the PN has been too long in government, or that this government has disappointed.

When you try to discuss the details of this lament, it boils down to perception. Now that there are no big issues on the burner, the fashion is to state yourself as a non-voter. Personal perception seems to be more important than the future of one’s family. As fashion goes in, it goes out of fashion even faster. The non-voter will regret the move seconds after the ballot boxes are closed. The non-casting of a vote has repercussions far beyond a short period. That no vote is a no vote for five years.

It’s practically like gambling your life savings away in one night on one number out of a 1,000, basing your chances on an electoral promise that makes you think that your number will surely come up.

Reality is not this. The PN government, with all its faults and mistakes, has guided this country through thick times. The country has remained stable, economically viable and financially sound. It has in the meantime adapted to changes as far reaching as the divorce law, and now IVF and cohabitation.

The PN has given peace of mind to the island, which has prospered in tourism and in the financial world. It has given us all a good life. Its own stipend system in the education sector produced Joseph Muscat.

So there is nothing to complain about there. But we still find fault in that the PN is in government for too long. So by default it is wrong to have won six out of the last seven elections. It is judged to be wrong in creating a very good society in Malta.

Perception is that. The facts are Lawrence Gonzi was installed as prime minister less than nine years ago. A number of ministers have come and gone. More will follow. So in itself, the government has changed. Still a long way to go from the traditional 15 to 16-year stints that various prime ministers of both parties had.

The electorate did rush to vote Alfred Sant in on vague promises in 1996. It regretted that vote and on the first occasion dumped him. This will repeat itself again. Rushing in to vote by not voting, boasting about it, being fashionable about it, will end up in misery to your future, and comprising your family future.

For me this gamble is a bridge too far.

Robert Arrigo is parliamentary assistant in the Finance Ministry