The biggest proportion of respondents in a The Times online poll do not think the public trust enjoyed by the government will be translated into an electoral victory.

In a recent European Commission survey, just over half the Maltese had said they had trust in the government.

Just over 39 per cent of those who replied to The Times's poll said this trust did not mean that the government would win the next election.

Close to 30 per cent said it was not necessarily so while 31 per cent were convinced that the confidence would translate itself into an electoral victory.

One of the respondents questioned the validity of the poll, saying it was wrong to assume the government enjoyed the public's trust.

Another lamented that it was not enough for the Prime Minister to be seen holding consultation meetings with some sectors of the public and then refuse to see others.

"The public has made it clear what it wants, especially in environmental issues and unless the government pays more than lip service to this issue, a huge chunk of the electorate remains unconvinced," one person wrote.

Another commented in a similar vein, arguing issues such as the development of Ta' Cenc and environmental issues will guide his vote at the next election.

The issue of illegal immigrants was raised in some comments, the most pointed of which was one calling for the removal of "Arabs and illegal immigrants", adding that he would vote for the MLP at local council elections "and the ANR at a general election".

"To win the next election, the PN has to deliver what it promised," another one mused.

A number of those who commented poked fun at the notion that the government enjoyed public trust.

"You should have waited for the electricity bills first before posting this question," one wrote.

Many of the comments were along the lines that the opposition cannot be trusted, hence the government would win not only because of any merits it may have, but because there is no alternative.

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