The MLP's deputy leader for party affairs has a lot to smile about.
Michael Falzon has been one of the brains behind the organisational work that goes on behind the scenes in each election, particularly in so far as the electoral process is concerned. Elections are his pet subject.
The latest result in the round of local council elections where Labour was playing "away" was won in a convincing manner by the MLP. This was the third consecutive round of such elections won by the MLP, which polled just over 50 per cent in 2004, 53.2 per cent in 2005 and 54 per cent this time round.
"The MLP had never won this round as they were dominated by localities that were traditionally PN strongholds. So this victory is more significant for us. Having said that, however, one still has to keep one's feet on the ground because the turnout was 66 per cent and the result of a general election, where the turnout is higher, might be different. But I do believe that the shift is accentuating itself. The swing towards Labour is tangible and I thank the Maltese and Gozitan voters for this," he said.
Asked whether he believed the turnout for local elections will continue to decrease, Dr Falzon said that since both parties started contesting the local elections the turnout has averaged 70 per cent, so this year's turnout was lower by some four per cent.
"The storm there was on Saturday evening could also have affected some people who left it until the last minute and then could not vote. But many could also have decided to vote with their feet, by abstaining. This could be both a result of disillusionment at a local level as well as because of national issues," he said.
Dr Falzon is satisfied with the result the MLP got for several reasons: "One cannot compare this result with 2003, when the turnout was so high because of the EU referendum. One has to compare it with 2000, when the turnout was 70 per cent. The MLP has actually gained votes, not lost 4,600 as some are arguing. Any comparisons with 2003 are bound to give skewed results," he insists.
How does he interpret the decline in votes for Alternattiva Demokratika?
"AD's votes are on a diminishing scale. The party may have a certain backing on particular issues, but this is not translating itself into votes, or in popular political support. The country has two main political parties and it's pointless trying to pretend this is not the case. I am not saying it's right or wrong, but that's the way it is," he said.
Dr Falzon said a closer look at the results showed that the MLP increased its share of votes in all but three localities (Gharb, Ghaxaq and Mgarr; the latter two showing only a very marginal decrease).
On a local level, analysis of the results shows some interesting facets: the PN could have elected an additional councillor at Gharb had they fielded another candidate, but they only had three, so the MLP ended up electing two candidates. At Xghajra, the PN got their only councillor in the five-man council thanks to two votes. They polled 116 votes, two votes more than the quota. Had they polled 113, the MLP would have occupied all the five seats.
Asked what factors came into play for this result to materialise, Dr Falzon said poor performance by some PN-led councils contributed heavily.
"You had councils such as those at Msida, Birkirkara, Pietà and San Gwann which in the eyes of voters performed very poorly. On the other hand, some were satisfied with Labour led councils, such as in Tarxien, Gudja and Xghajra and others".
Among local issues that could have affected voter turnout was the issue of the Qui-Si-Sana car park in Sliema. The Ta' Cenc development was a factor that might well have helped AD in Sannat, though the MLP increased its share of the vote there too.
But the national climate has an effect as well, he added.
"There is widespread discontent with the government. The excuse being put forward by the PN - that it is busy running the country - is seen as arrogance by those who have been complaining about the state of their road or pavement. There are many other issues as well; not least the general standard of living.
It is insensitive of a government to react in this manner. Saying the country is doing better when people are not seeing it is also very insensitive. It's difficult to make everybody happy, but a heavy dose of arrogance is doing little to make people's aspirations come true. People want a change," he said.
"The surcharge issue is a case in point. The government knew oil prices were going to increase and even wrote this in black on white in the revised convergence plan presented to the EU. So why did it do nothing about it? Why was price hedging not taken up again?"
Everyone speaks about the ill-effects on the country being in an election mode every year because of elections. Does he foresee a change, perhaps extending councils' lives to five years and timing the ballot to coincide with the elections for the European Parliament?
"I never say never. I like to keep all options open. These elections keep political parties ticking. They are a barometer, and they were designed to be like that by the PN. When the councils were designed by the PN in 1993, they were not designed haphazardly, but to give an indication of how the country is ticking," he said.
"There has been some discussion about this, the extra costs involved and so forth. One thing is for sure; the government should really rethink the distribution of voting documents by registered post.
This cost some Lm80,000, and the same distribution when done by policemen cost a fraction of this and produced the same results.
"Holding elections every five years has its pros: it gives the country more stability, cuts down on costs, but there are cons as well. Are five years too long for a council? One has to weigh every possible aspect and then decide."
Does he think the PN may have wanted to lose these elections deliberately?
"I don't think so. I do not think the PN liked the bad press they got, and that was something they could foresee. No party likes losing," he said.
Can the MLP maintain these results at a general election?
"These results put a big burden on our shoulders. We have more responsibilities to bear, both on a local and on a national level. We must also always remain humble with the people, whom we are all in duty bound to serve. We have to strive even more to fulfil people's expectations. It's too soon to say. One has to see the political climate at the time. As they say, a week is a long time in politics."
Can a party win or lose an election in a week?
"It depends on how big one's support is. If the result is a very marginal one, yes, one could possibly win or lose in just a week," Dr Falzon said. However, he added, that is not what the MLP is aiming for. "The party's aim is to give the Maltese and Gozitan people what they deserve; not just an alternative government, but a much better one."