Labour leads in Sunday Times poll

R Gatt

Jun 2nd 2009, 22:45

It is amusing to read all these posts hurraying a PN most probably (heavy) defeat. Does anyone even remember that this is actually an EP election not a general election? Judging from the discourses held by the current 5 MEPs, it is quite obvious that only one candidate is really in his right place. As long as he is re-elected, I couldn't care less about the rest ... after all its 5/6 seats we're talking about, hardly anything to yahoo about.

Ron Camilleri

Jun 2nd 2009, 22:37

Mhux nistageb b'din id-differenza li qed jghidu li se jkun hemm. Il-poplu xeba jigi injorat f'kollox. Il-Gvern jghid haga u wara jghamel ohra. Iweghed mod u isir mod iehor. Hu minn tad-Dockyard li kien qallhom xoghol fiz-zgur xghamlilhom. Flok gabilhom ix-xoghol gelhom jiehdu is-somma u jitilqu bhal f'azjendi ohra - Maltacom u ohrajn. Dan bdetriment ta'telf ta'impjiegi u piz fuq il-poplu, thul inqas ta'taxxa u bolla ghal pajjiz. X'ma jkollniex defecit u kaxxa ta' Malta mifquha. X'baqa ghalxiex inhallsu izjed mill- laraq ta' xogholna. Ara huma iz-zjieda ta- l-fuq minn mitt lira fil-gimgha haduha' u tfittex xoghol qed jghamlu ghall pajjizna ma'sibx xejn. Hemm bzonn inkunu sinciera mal-poplu u ta'kelma. X'ezempju qed nghatu liz-zaghzagh t'ghada u tfal li tielghejn. Pajjiz tal-biki. Hemm qawl li jghid li thott minghajr ma' trodd is-swar thott, u hekk gralu pajjizna taht it-tmexxija tal-PN. Il-kbar illegelgu u iz-zghir mejjet ghal qatra. Is-servizzi socjali kwazi spiccaw jew kwazi spiccaw kollha wara dawk is-saggrifficcji kollha li ghamlu missierietna biex bnewhom. Nispera li l- poplu tghallem wara da'zmien kollu ta'dahk bih. Dockyard li ma'rnexxilhomx ibieghu 'Bailey' u 'Swan Hunter' ghamilha l-Gvern stess. Xhasra ghal pajjiz ta'telf ta'rizorsa ta'nies tas-sengha.
Flok xoghol hajjarna n-nies biex jieqfu.

Edward Mizzi

Jun 2nd 2009, 20:46

Yes Carmel Attard you are right. If don't trust the Sunday Times then you should have a look at the Eurobarometer maybe the statistics in this report maybe misleading as well!!!! OHH COME ON!!!

Anthony Pace Gouder

Jun 2nd 2009, 15:02

I'm not surprised with this 10 per cent lead , and this could even increase by ELECTION SATURDAY. I have always been in favour of the EU ,but I am unimpressed and disappointed by the results since we became full members. The EU is being used as a scapegoat and an excuse to burden the people with new taxes and tariffs (?) to replace subsidies ,environment regultions etc. etc. Meanwhile standards have hardly changed ! Just look at the state of our roads ,a shame when compared to roads abroad , and our Public transport . Agricultural products are marketed ignoring EU standards, and there still doesn't seem to be any EU policy in what we should produce. I do hope GONZI's latest proclamation of bringing the EUROPEAN UNION to the heart of every town and village will not be in the shape of 4 BELL SHAPED waste seperation containers ,as in our street .Day in day out we have to endure the noise of shattered glass , even at night , papers and other discarded material constantly filth the area. What happened to the odd SIX bring-in-sites planned for Sliema over a year ago ?

Carmel Attard

Jun 2nd 2009, 13:58

Do not be misled by this caption because this is only a Sunday Times poll which is open to further scrutiny. The result of this very optimistic survey should make Labourites and also non-Labourites to cast their votes on polling day in favour of the Labour Party to make it veritable and defeat the Nationalist Party. Remember that by staying away you will be rewarding the Nationalist for their high handedness and sheer arrogance.

R. Grech

Jun 2nd 2009, 13:34

@ J Micallef: Trying to make labourites not to vote is in itself a negative campaign.

Joe Micallef

Jun 2nd 2009, 11:49

P.Schembri

The leader of the Opposition like yourself have been harping on your convinced knowledge that the majority of people are fed up with the Gonzi “perceived” mess.

If as you say they truly are, how come you question the surveys indicating a landslide victory. Are people fed up or not? Make your mind up.

charles zammit

Jun 2nd 2009, 11:48

ms md vella. the point that i wanted to raise is not that we will get our money that the government has robbed us back but that with a strong showing by the pl even if these are eu elections this minority government will think twice about steamrolling over the maltese public in general be they pensioners, labourers, smes, teachers, doctors, paramedics, hunters, environmentalists and what not. by voting LABOUR candidates this time round YES WE CAN stop this steamroller.

P. Schembri

Jun 2nd 2009, 11:08

According to a local newspaper (not Labour), a survey was stated that Labour has the advantage of 10 points over the PN in the coming elections.

It was discovered that this is not the truth. This is part of Simon Busuttil's campaign manager to mislead.

r ferriggi

Jun 2nd 2009, 10:52

whether PL wills landslide or not,,,, i am noticing that PL and especially its leader is 'sliding' into the mould of previous leaders and their strategies.

firstly eliminate the dirt ( e.g. the very ugly perici speech incident)
secondly, eliminate the EU scepticism once and for all ( its there for all to see!!)
thirdly, be sincere about 'opening up' the party. not all is indicating this direction.
fourthly, if and when the PL is in power, it is going to have to swallow ALOT of criticism it is dishing out. therefore,,,, the less cheap talk,,,, the less pain after!!

R. Gatt

Jun 2nd 2009, 10:16

Mario Busuttil said: "pity it will be just a victory for the party and not for the country". I completely disagree with this statement !!! I think that in these EP elections, it is the country - Malta - as a whole, and not PL or PN, which will either win or lose. Busuttil's statement confirms why the PL's entire EP campaign was based on the wrong footing. This election is not a general election or a rehearsal to a general election, but an election where we are going to elect a number of NATIONAL representatives abroad, and not a PARTY - PL or PN !!! So the winning team is not PL or PN, but Malta as a whole nation stands to either win or lose depending on the performance of the Maltese MEPs elected for the European Parliament this time round. So basically I am going to look at the past performances of MEPs and aspiring MEPs from all the political parties concerned, and vote accordingly! The issue is not whether PL/PN etc elects the greater number of candidates for the EP. The real issue is which MEPs have consistently and univocally defended Malta's interests in the EP!!!

Danika Vella

Jun 2nd 2009, 06:40

@charles zammit: do you really think that the gov will cut down the W&E bills just because he lost this election? And do you really think the EU can pose directives on Malta to cut down its W&E bills? As far as I know the EU does not interfere with domestic things.

Don't just vote for Labour just because the Gov is giving you high bills. This is not about bills. It's about people who may or may not help Malta get the best deal out of the EU. This only happens if the MEPs we choose do their work properly, and don't just go there for a fat sum of money (I calculated it's about Lm3000 of our old liri per month). At least choose a candidate that you think is doing a good job out of it!

Danika Vella

Jun 2nd 2009, 06:32

"PL candidates have a much tighter contest with John Attard Montalto and Edward Scicluna leading the way, followed by Marlene Mizzi and Louis Grech."

WHAT?!? JAM who has the WORST track record of all the MEP's is LEADING the way, together with Scicluna?!? And Louis Grech, with the best track record of the PL MEPs is battling it with Marlene?

Come on Labour, at least if you vote Labour, try to elect someone who wouldn't go to Brussels to warm the seat (if he's there for enough time that is, and not on a trip to the Caribbean) or who is eurosceptic! Show the PN that you have good candidates who do their work, not just people who want to earn a comfortable life while doing nothing!

Mario Busuttil

Jun 1st 2009, 18:03

Go ahead labour and get your landslide victory. pity it will be just a victory for the party and not for the country. PN supporters who will not vote for eu representatives, will get one day of satisfaction, and five years of bad representatives. but it is democracy at work, something labour uses but does not believe in.

charles zammit

Jun 1st 2009, 17:27

Notwithstanding what the polls show we labour supporters should keep on fighting for every vote. this is not just a vote for european parliament it is also a vote against exorbitant bills against unemployment and for the continuation of free health. so one last appeal to all my friends who are still undecided for your sake go out and vote next saturday ....and vote labour

C Cilia

Jun 1st 2009, 17:23

@M'Grace Sciberras

tixtiq hahahaha.... wait and see.

Joseph is a born leader, he never lost a single post he contested for, and he will win the old gonzi for sure! next sunday i will b just the first small step

R. Grech

Jun 1st 2009, 15:53

@ M'Grace Sciberras: Your comments just show how much brainwashed you are. The problem with EU accession was that the conditions were not good, since we applied for third class application.

Joe Galea

Jun 1st 2009, 14:57

@Joe Micallef: If I were you, I'd better not confirm that I am so intelligence deprived by posting such no sense comments. At least it made me laugh.

@Tonio Aquilina: Ys cry, for your fellows as most of them realised that they have been cheated by the PN over and over again. Tell them to be Nationalist and put the Maltese needs first and foremost and vote Labour as otherwise if they vote PN they will get lackey people representing them working in favour of the EU and not of Malta. Tell them that we want ffighters for our rights and not yes-sirs. People choose Labour as during the past 5 years of EU membership, the PL MEP's achieved highly. So a vote for the PN means a vote against yourself and against your future. .....Now you can stop crying your blue tears.

Graham Crocker

Jun 1st 2009, 13:13

Joe Micallef. Thank you.

Divorce being a civil right is the only relatively progressive idea they hold.

charles zammit

Jun 1st 2009, 12:21

the polls show exactly what the maltese feel about this minority government. but the polls must be transformed into actual votes. so between now and next saturday we must ensure that it is not only us who will vote but also all the persons we know. a vote for labour will mean a big no to the exorbitant bills to unemployment and will disuade govenment in introducing any form of health payment. let us persuade the undecided that only a labour victory will stop this government from steamrolling over honest citizens....and ms sciberras little things please little minds......

Fenech M D

Jun 1st 2009, 10:34

Last Friday I watched Xarabank (kien qisu l-Eurovision tal-kandidati tal-EU), and Mr L Grech said that many PN voters are not going to vote next Saturday because the PN always blames the EU for the PN's faults. Mr S Busuttil replied, 'Ara vera jrid ikollok wicc biex tghid li ahna nwahhlu fl-EU......'. Watching Mr Perici Calascione this morning (Repeat of programme Staqsi Wahda on Net TV) he BLAMED the EU for not letting hunters practice their hobby in spring.

I do not blame them for not voting, and there are hundreds of other people (Dockworkers, Go staff, public transport, factory workers - remember the bet? very high W&E bills etc) that feel they have been taken for a ride by this govt. and not voting PN or voting LP is the only way how to get their message to the authorities.

Let's hope that Dr Gonzi will finally get the message.

joseph mallia

Jun 1st 2009, 07:38

Seeing labour supporters waving european community flags yesterday at ta' Qali made me smile. It was so out of place as bird droppings on a white Lacoste top. Give us a break....

Joseph E Briffa

May 31st 2009, 23:31

@ I Galea...Like you say we need fighters in the European Parliament. We need people who attend regularly, who take up issues of substance not trivial partisan matters, who take part in debates, prepare reports, who are capable of voting the way they think, who are not johnies head-in-air and can distinguish between a red and a green button, who are not Eurosceptics. We have just five votes in the European Parliament so we can't afford to waste any. To have some clout we have to persuade the big countries to support us, like Simon did in the case of illegal immigration. But to ensure that all the 5 MEPs are worth their salt we must have voters of calibre, voters who are capable of analysing things and drawing the right conclusions. If most voters were of this calibre, we need not worry. Unfortunately however there are lots of voters who don't know whether they are coming or going; who are not capable of thinking and are easily fooled, . It's really a tragedy that their vote counts as much as that of smart voters. But that's the price we have to pay for democracy.

Tony Camilleri

May 31st 2009, 22:58

In a democracy every one has a right to vote for the party and the candidate of his liking. I just hate the routine rhetoric of some bloggers who are arrogant enough as to suggest that half the maltese electorate should not even be entitled to vote for the eu. elections.

They look down at us, as if we are second class citizens.

May next Sunday's result be accepted by one and all, and that the political parties take note of the electorate message.

louis zammit

May 31st 2009, 21:07

in a way i wiah that i would not go out to vote asa PROTEST to th BIG PARTIES LP AND PN..cos it seems that this is a gerneral ELECTION...when are our big parties gowing to grow up....they are only interested to get votes.........................they all promise a heaven on earth and nobody can really do that.....

M'Grace Sciberras

May 31st 2009, 20:40

MELA ISSA TAJBA L-EU? MA XEBAX JAJD KONTRA L-EU L-PARTIT LABURISTA? RIDT JITLA GEORGE ABELA BIEX IL-LABOUR IKOLLU CANS JITLA FIL-GVERN, AX BDAN FEJN KIENU SER JIBQAW

IM PROUD TO HAVE A BLUE DNA !!!

Joe Micallef

May 31st 2009, 20:28

@ RUDOLF DEGIORGIO

1) I WANT A PARTY WITH SOME FRESH NEW IDEAS. Like what? Take a ballot box to Cyprus. Build different immigrant centres to accommodate different ethnicities, restrict the ability to work more than 8hours overtime…

2) I WANT A MODERATE PARTY. Like Toni Abela, Anglu Faruggia

3) I WANT A PROGRESSIVE PARTY. Pretty sure that you like Dr. Muscat have no idea what the movement is all about. Let me play your game - What is the relation between progressives and religion?

4) I WANT A NEW STYLE OF POLITICS. Like what, the cases of Perici Calasione, Louis Refalo, the irresponsible anxiety mounted on the sick for a few votes.

5) I WANT AN HONEST LEADERSHIP. Like Dr. Muscat bringing over PES leader Schulz to sustain his campaign

6) I WANT THAT THE PEOPLE'S INTERESTS COME FIRST. Like telling everyone that hunger is widespread and then spend €60.000 on 2 cars.

I BELEIVE THAT THIS COUNTRY DESERVES MUCH BETTER.....JUNE 6th .....VOTE LABOUR

If I were you I’d first get a keyboard and some lessons how to use it

List limited by word count

R.Degiorgio

May 31st 2009, 20:14

Unbelievable how SOME people comment in this country. Still talking about the past that certain party didnt want the EU. That is not what people is talking about today!! We talking about who we think is better to represent US maltese citizens in the EU! Now we in the EU...some people agreed and others didnt...but that got nothing to do with what we going to vote for next saturday! Thats the kind of useless comments that SOME maltese never change!!! I wonder when this country will change and start acting more mature...so shameful! Different people , different opinions but democracy accept what the majority says and that's what happened in Malta.

Its about voting for the MEP now. So to all those making non-sense comments and still talking about the past, do us a favour to us young people and stop making such comments. Thats the difference between the new PL and the old PN.

Next saturday vote for the fresh new PL MEPs because we maltese deserve the best!

David Busuttil

May 31st 2009, 19:47

Great to see the poll. But to be honest I did not expect it different. Just remember the past PM promises and what you really got!

jbusuttil

May 31st 2009, 19:27

@ Joe Borg
This post is what I call heavy. Yes there are lots more like you as I meet them, not knowing their voting intentions.

Muscat.Pat

May 31st 2009, 19:04

Change is in the air. Do you want to be arrogantly told yet and again that Europe matters only when MEP elections come? PN has lost the propulsive energy to renew itself and Malta. If Malta were governed by angels, 20 years would be more than enough! Be a European , give a breath of fresh air to your surroundings, to the arrogant officials at Castille and the other government departments and Mepa. Yes, we can change: vote Joseph Muscat, vote PL a breath of fresh air!

alexander genuis

May 31st 2009, 18:53

YES,THIS IS NOT A GENERAL ELECTION,SO IF THE PN LOSE YOU DO NOT MIND?YOU BE HAPPY/YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AFTER ONE YEAR FROM WINNING THE GENERAL ELECTION BY A SLIM LEAD LOSE THE MEP ELECTIONS SECOND TIME RUNNNG?NEXT ELECTION 25 YEARS IN OPP?WELL,IT'S NOT HOW MUCH YEARS YOU DO IN GOV COUNTS,HOW MUCH YOU DO GOOD!!!MINTOFF DID ONE THING GOOD??VOTED AGAINST LAB GOV??WELL,FETCH IN ANY ENCYCLOPEDIA,LOOK WHICH ONLY MALTESE STATEMAN IS LISTED!!!!SIMON AND DAVID WERE GOOD/WHY NOT HAVE THE BACKING OF THE PN FOLLOWERS LAST MEP ELECTION???LP?AGAINS E.U.,MUSCAT?AGINST E.U.?THE OUTCOME?PL WOON AST ME ELECTIONS,MUSCAT GOT THE MOST VOTES,IMAGINE IF LP WAS IN FAVOUR!!!!WHAT ABOUT THAT PN FOLLOWERES????

Robert Scullion

May 31st 2009, 18:44

@lgalea
The EU can't ask for a referendum, only the national Government of each country can decide that.
'We SHALL get out' .. yep no problem with that if thats what the people want. However the people decided to say yes. Or does you brand of democracy only go as far as 'we'll keep voting until the vote goes the way I want it' ?

john tanti

May 31st 2009, 17:56

please note this is not a general election as Dr Muscat is trying to make us believe, General election is in four years time so four yeras in opposition after 25 years.......

Joe Borg

May 31st 2009, 17:54

WHY I WILL NOT BE VOTING LABOUR!

1) I AM A TRUE LABOUR.

2) MLP HAS BEEN TAKEN HIS SUPPORTERS FOR A LONG RIDE SINCE BEFORE EU REFERENDUM.

3) NO LABOUR SOUL REMAINS WITHIN MLP

4) MLP HAS BECOME THE SPECIALIST IN HITTING AT HIS OWN CONTRIBUTORS, CANDIDATES, HELPERS AND VOLONTEERS.

5) MANY DELEGATES AND THE MLP PROPOGANDA MASCHINE HAVE IGNORED AND HUMILIATED ITS OWN SUPPORTERS DURING THE GENERAL CONFERENCE BY ELECTING OFFICIALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE TRUE MLP SUPPORTERS DO NOT WANT.

6) DURING THE SAME CONFERENCE AGAINST THE WISH OF THE MAJORITY OF THE MLP SUPPORTERS, JASON MICALLEF WAS RECONFIRMED AS SECRETARY GENERAL.

7) IT IS TIME FOR THE TRUE MLP SUPPORTERS TO SHOW THE MLP OFFICIALS THAT MLP IS OURS ( MLP TRUE SUPPORTERS) AND THEY ARE THERE TO SERVE AND NOT MANIPULATE AND HUMILIATE THEIR OWN KIND TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR POSITION.

THIS IS WHY, I AN OLD TRUE MLP SUPPORTER WILL NOT BE VOTING MLP THIS TIME AROUND.

I JUST HOPE MLP WILL TAKE THE MESSAGE SO I WILL NOT HAVE TO DO THE SAME IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Andrew Cachia

May 31st 2009, 17:43

It seems that the only reason why gonzi is still in power is Alfred Sant!

Galea. L

May 31st 2009, 17:37

Joseph E Briffa
Briffa, whatever you say will not prevent the PL landslide victory.
We need fighters in the eu not eu lackeys who will just say "yes sir" to whatever is ordered.

jbusuttil

May 31st 2009, 17:29

@ Anthony Lee
Just a small correction on your last post, last two lines should read that " il-Lira Maltija llum ma kienet tiswa xejn". We are living the reality of the World wide economic problems. Just ask any one in Iceland.

RUDOLF DEGIORGIO

May 31st 2009, 16:54

WHY I'M GOING TO VOTE LABOUR NEXT SATURDAY?

1) I WANT A PARTY WITH SOME FRESH NEW IDEAS.
2) I WANT A MODERATE PARTY.
3) I WANT A PROGRESSIVE PARTY.
4) I WANT A NEW STYLE OF POLITICS.
5) I WANT AN HONEST LEADERSHIP.
6) I WANT THAT THE PEOPLE'S INTERESTS COME FIRST.

I BELEIVE THAT THIS COUNTRY DESERVES MUCH BETTER.....JUNE 6th .....VOTE LABOUR

Anthony Lee

May 31st 2009, 16:25

@ J.Cachia

Le ma ninsix, imma int ala tuza l-air malta?Taf kemm ettu kontra meta ftahnia? Ala tiehu l-pensjoni jew xi servizzz iehor b`xejn? Taf li dawn kollha ivvutajtu kontrihom? Ghid ala tuzahom mela? Ghax int wiehed min dawk in-nies li tahsbu li ghantkom xi poter fl-Ewropa.Fil-Messag li bghat int ma wegibtnix ala tuzahom mela la darba dawn l-affarijiet ivvutajt kontrihom.Tghidilhom lin-nisa li taf int xkien jghid il-PN ghalihom? Jew tisthi? Xejn ma wegibtni min dan kollu.Ghal editing esperti intkom u issa qed titkazaw.Insejtu kemm carratu mis-sens ta` Charles Mangion, u ohra fit-2003 ta` G.Vella?Safrattant fuq Net t.v. ma semmewhx kollu it-tape,ghax ma semmewlkomx kliem Lawrence Gonzi!! Dak arukasa ukoll.Najdlek ukoll jek xi darba titkaza fuq l-izvalutar tal-lira,haddem naqa mohhok ta, ghax meta qabel konna ghal kull lira niehdu 2.50 euros, illum qed niehdu 2.33euros.Ahdem naqa somma u ara x`gara fl-izvalutar.

Joseph E Briffa

May 31st 2009, 16:12

The MEP elections are completely different from the General elections. This is NOT a party contest The two sides particularly Labour want to make it look as if it is. Labour are more than aware that except for Louis Grech their members didn't do much. Not to mention that they seem to be incapable of voting in line with their thinking; maybe they can't distinguish between green and red, or maybe they see 'red' all the time. One must analyse the performance of the 5 MEPs and vote for those who raised questions of national importance like illegal immigration; attended sessions regularly, drew up reports, took active part in debates etc Labour MEPs did not tackle one single issue of substance, only trivialities like VAT on car registration fee, departure tax. These issues should have been tackled by local Labour MPs in the local Parliament not in Brussels. Brussels is the forum for issues of national importance not for partisan politics. Everybody is aware that Simon and David had an excellent performance; Louis was good, John could have done much more, as for Glen................ Also, a vote for Eurosceptic candidates is a wasted vote. The choice is obvious.

lgalea

May 31st 2009, 16:12

c. camilleri
I say it the other way round.
The eu doesn't deserve our membership.

D Ellul

May 31st 2009, 16:08

@c camilleri
How paternalistic. No wonder the Maltese are turning their back on the PN. So according to what you said the Labour party have no right to field their candidates for these elections just because 6 years ago they were anti-EU? Do you want a one-party state by any chance with no other choice than to vote PN? YOU do not deserve to be an EU member for sure, your ideas remind me of the dark days of communism.

M. Catania

May 31st 2009, 16:01

@Joyce Aquilina

Mintoff haga wahda ghamel tajjeb. Ivvota kontra l-MLP fil 1998 u b'hekk regga tella fil-gvern lill-PN u regghet giet reattiavatal-applikazzjoni biex insiru membri tal-EU. Ghal din biss grazzi Dom Mintoff.

Matthew Agius

May 31st 2009, 15:30

The polls are the polls. If they are scientifically carried out, they reflect the truth.

Nevertheless, one week to go.

It is OUR RIGHT, DUTY, and RESPONSIBILITY to vote, and VOTE WISELY!

This election will not change government. Government was confirmed by General Elections in 2008.

The real matter this time round is whether we want those who have been CONSISTENT and CREDIBLE representing us VS those who SHOUT angrily at the EU flag, mix up votes when it mattered, did not convince their Parliamentary Political Group to vote in our interest, etc etc etc......

c. camilleri

May 31st 2009, 15:27

If the polls prove right i think that there is something wrong with the Maltese to vote for people who fought tooth and nail against Malta's entry into the EU and who are still not convinced about Malta's membership. We surely do not deserve to be members of the EU.

Charles Ebejer

May 31st 2009, 15:21

Even if the polls are showing that the Labour party will win the June 6th election for the EP however the PN will still be governing Malta until 2013/4. The Labour party will be sending its representatives to the EP only to hamper the actions of the government ( meaning among other things voting the wrong way, abstaining from voting, trying to block funds destined for Malta as they tried to do before) and not to be constructive and work for the interests of all Maltese. I understand that some people have reasons to register a protest vote or even stay at home but I would suggest that they rethink their position and find another way to demonstate their dissatisfaction as the decisions in the EP once taken will affect all the Maltese for many years to come and cannot be erased , even though the Labour MEP's would want us to believe otherwise. Surely if we check the good service the Labour MEP's have contributed to Malta this will count less than the questionability of their messy voting pattern in the EP where Malta's most urgent interets were concerned. So please think again before it will be too late.

G. Cachia

May 31st 2009, 15:16

@Anthony Lee:

U jien ma nistax nifhem kif int tinsa malajr. Mela insejt li 1996 kif il-Partit Laburista irritorna fil-Gvern l-ewwel haga li ghamel IFFRIZA L-APPLIKAZZJONI ghall-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Jista jkun li "IFFRIZHA" biex jimpressjona?

Nispera li ma jkunx hemm minn jaqbez minn fuq il-vapur wara li jkun elett. Ahna qeghdin fuq vapur li bhalma jiltaqa mal-bnazzi daqs tant iehor jista jiltaqa mal-maltemp.

Imma l-vapur ghazilnih ahna u s'issa ghall-grazzja t'Alla il-Kaptan mexxih sewwa anki meta iltaqa mal-maltemp.

Patrick Cilia

May 31st 2009, 15:11

It seems to me here that people are really hatching their chickens a week early!!! Opinion polls are not the REAL picture and the REAL picture can change in 5 minutes (let alone in the next 5 years till the REAL test!) - if people really feel responsible and search their consciences about the vote they will (and INDEED should) make next saturday they will see that there are five or six candidates who have always spoken with conviction and commitment about the EU and others like Sharon, Edward, Joe Cuschieri and the whole gang have only tried to make feeble excuses for their ineptitude to even concieve a strategy in favour of MALTA and not in favour of the PL (100w lamps as Glen once put it!)....my plea...I will not be wasting MY VOTE and I hope by Saturday YOU will not waste YOURS either!!

Julian Zarb

May 31st 2009, 15:04

Looking at these results, it seems to me we have a situation where the sample size needs some explanation. What demographic basis was used? What questions were asked (how pointed were the actual questions)? For example the basis on which the first three candidates were chosen? At the end of the day I say the most important thing is that EVERYONE spends a fair time this week reflecting in their heart of hearts not how THEY feel but how the country has changed in five years thanks to EU membership...incidentally, this is not a General election so we can be apolitical on this issue and thought, which helps....but it also helps to see who is working under the ticket of commitment, honesty, trust and conviction and to me there is a group of candidates who fit that bill very well....I leave the actual choice to you, one hint, there is one candidate who has chosen three simple words for his sloga - Trust, Balance and responsibility..now those are words I KNOW I can believe in!!!

Anthony Lee

May 31st 2009, 13:51

Ma nistax nemmen kif certu nies jinsew l-istorja malajr. Taf li intkom ghatkom tghidu ghax il-PL kien kontra l-EU, jien infakkarkom biss, li il-PN kien kontra u jmaqdar l-Air Malta, illum, jiftahar b`35 sena ta` success. Jekk nimxu bl-istess mod, ma nahsibx li tuzaw l-Air Malta ux. Is-Servizzi socjali, il-PN ivvota kontrihom, ma nafx, imma nahseb li ghalkemm il-PN ivvota kontrihom, nahseb li kulhadd jehodom ux, avolja ma tkunx laburist. L-iSptar b`xejn kien ghamlu gvern laburista, il-PN kien jghid li se jsallab lil Malta, illum? U in-nisa ghandi bzonn infakkarkom ghalxiex il-PN kienu jghidu li huma tajbin biss?

salvu calleja

May 31st 2009, 13:31

I don't believe in polls but what do I believe is that citizens now are more intelligent and capable to transmit what they feel. Unfortunately GonziPn has lost control and credibility and still persists in treating the common citizen as stupid and not intelligent enough to evaluate what is going on in this country.Dear GonziPn let me assure you that people certainly know when to PRESS THE RIGHT BUTTON and it's only your choice to listen or not.

lgalea

May 31st 2009, 13:30

Robert Scullion
Never say die Scullion. Mark my words. We SHALL get out.
How many times did the eu ask for another referendum to make people change their minds?

A caruana

May 31st 2009, 13:29

@ Stephen Farrugia

you are wrong my dear friend. Politics as it is, is not waste of time at all. Its all the same around the world. Taking in consideration the MEPs imagine yourself with a 7000E pay cheque PER MONTH for 5 years (420,000 Euros = Lm180,000). Its like winning a Super 5. This sum does not include the benefits allocated. How much money would us normals would be able to save in our life time?

Look at them when you watch Euronews and CNN. They are always showing off BIG smiles. None of them are worried about rising cost of living, or of becoming redundant. No way, instead they ll say that the workers have to adjust to the new reality however looking back from the 1900s to now... how much did their job adjust? NOTHING! It just changed the look but essentially remained the same. The same words just packaged in colored plastic. Same contents different vision.

Wont you smile when you have that amount of money for literally sitting on a bench, occasionally scribbling some article and pressing buttons?

never believe what you see. Believe what you don't see.

joyce aquilina

May 31st 2009, 13:12

@ m catania, and if it was not for DOM MINTOFF us women would not be able to vote on saturday,


@ tonio aquilina, that is why i am voting pl on saturday because i love my country.

good luck.pl

Steven Brockwell

May 31st 2009, 13:11

Stephen Farrugia haha your so right most of our politicians don't know squats about running a country. they all spend more when they earn more from taxes then they wounder why we have a deficit ???? lame people all of them xx

george gauchi

May 31st 2009, 13:04

Five years ago when most of Malta was still happy because we entered the EU the PN party with everything in their favour got two MEPs members elected and the MLP got three members elected and now five years later with the PN party with all those broken promises,high electricity and water prices,high cost of living in a few words,everything is against them,they will be lucky if they elect one MEP member,

Stephen Farrugia

May 31st 2009, 12:53

PL... PN ... A decadent pair if you ask me! I don't think any of them are ready to rule a country, AD shouldn't even exist ... so i think that we need to really invent some new strategy to make this island grow ... cuz tbh... politics as it is, it's just a waste of time.

C Bartolo

May 31st 2009, 12:53

Irrespective of Saturday's result, Gonzi is and will remain PM for the next 4 years at least. Also cannot understand why PN took up the PL's bait to run this campaign as though its a general election - foucs should have been on EU matters!!!!

Jason Borg

May 31st 2009, 12:52

On Saturday you have a choice 1) vote to make someone rich; 2) DON'T vote ... strongest message you can send to all politicians.

J Brincat

May 31st 2009, 12:46

And righly so!

At least this is a clear sign that people expect that promises are meant to be kept and not blatantly broken!

Andrea Damato

May 31st 2009, 12:44

Let's on Saturday show this arrogant and incompetent government that the Maltese have had enough of him and of his vote catching tactics based on outright lies. Hunters, dockyard workers, bus and taxi drivers etc well know what's all about.

A clear message should be sent to Gonzi and his PN next Saturday, vote Labour !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALEXANDER GENUIS

May 31st 2009, 12:39

LAST MEP ELECTION,PL WON,THE PEOPLE ACCEPTED THE PL,PROOF OF THIS WAS THAT DR.JOSEPH MUSCAT OBTAINED THE LARGES VOTES!!THE PEOPLE VOTES FOR MEP,BUT THEY VOTE FOR THE BROKEN PROMISES,COST OF LIFE,TARIFFS ON BILLS??LOOK AT THE PARTIE'S ISSUES!!ATTACKING P'S LEADER FOR BUYING A CAR??FOR BEING IN FAVOUR ABORTION,WHICH IS NOT TRUE???MISGUIDING??HEALTH??WE MUST APY??WHERE IS IS THE SAGROSANT AT HEART???WE ARE PART OF E.U.,PL ACCEPTED PEOPLE'S WORD,THE PEOPLE??THE PEOPLE ACCEPTED PL'S TRUST BUY VOTIN ON 2004 AND NEXT SAT.YOU CANT PROMISE AND DO NOT DELIVER.DID E.F.A. WORKED FOR CORRUPTION??SCANDALS??MITTS,VAT,MEPA,DID HE??IF WE TALK ABOUT WHAT PN OPPOSED,WELL I NEED A YEAR,I NAME FEW,AIRMALTA FREE HEALTH,VOTE FOR WOMEN,PENSIONS,FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL,SO LET'S LOOK AT THE FUTURE!!!!PL IS THE FUTURE,THE PEOPLE UNDESTOOD THAT BACK IN 2004,PL WON,NEXT SAT WILL DO AGAIN.THROWING DIRT AND ATTACK PL LEADER PERSONALLY MEANS THERE ARE NO FRESH IDEAS!!!!LOOK AT TODAY'S PN'S MAIN PAPER!!!!WHAT FAQAR!!!!!GOING BACK 30 YEARS TO GAIN VOTES FOR 2009!!!!!!

Patrick Vella

May 31st 2009, 12:30

To all voters

Next Saturday stay at home.

SILENCE IN GOLDEN !!!!!!!!!

J. Scerri

May 31st 2009, 12:29

Differently from the past Elections, I think that this time that 15% of voters still undecided will remail the same or it will increase. Sadly the Maltese this time will have to vote for 2 parties which are losing credibility more once one of their party opens his mouth.

And don't say that you'll vote for a party or another cause they do things differently (better) than the other, they are using the SAME mentality.

Let's take the PN, before the election they said things that once in power again, they are doing the opposite. And that 's quite normal for a party that ALWAYS win so even that ARROGANCE that some or most of their rappresentants shows is expected.

Then if you mention ALL the MLP (or PL) U-TURNS made in history. You'll have to be very courageous or just trying to betray people by saying that they can be trusted. To mention some of these: being AGAINST the VAT, The Local Councils, The EU accession, the private Radio & TV stations & then PARTECIPATE once they are introduced. And the problem is that these were made by the same people, today are asking for your vote today.

.

Robert Scullion

May 31st 2009, 12:27

@lgalea
Ah still fighting a vote loss over 5 years ago

J. Mifsud

May 31st 2009, 12:15

@ To some of the PN bloggers (sympathisers)

You are only reflecting the same paternalistic effect that the PN has passed on to you. Do not treat the PN supporters as morons, and stop giving them puerile advice. Everyone has a mind of his/her own and can read between the lines. The result next Saturday will send an alarm to the PN that arrogance is speeding the party into a solid brick wall.

Stop using infantile excuses about pushing the right buttons because only recently Mr Vince Farrugia did a Dr Paul Borg Olivier gaffe (froga) by forwarding to 'The Times' by mistake a directive issued to all PN MEP candidates on how to respond to such questions.

Malta is the EU, period. Therefore, in voting, I will do my utmost to vote for all those who are Maltese first and foremost, because then they can really 'fight' for our rights in Europe. I do not want any yes- men/women representing me in the EU parliament.

Steve Rogers

May 31st 2009, 12:13

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL,

Next time pay your W&E bills just remember you are paying them and not the PN MEPs with the large salaries.

Next time you turn the ignition to your car and remember how much more you paid when compared to other EU Nationals just remember the PN MEPS who drive those nice expensive cars bought by our taxes.

Next time you vote remember who is fighting for your rights to live a decent life!

A.Mifsud

May 31st 2009, 12:10

PL always lead in polls - but never lead in the real thing!!

M. Catania

May 31st 2009, 12:10

@Emanuel Farrugia

Il-problema hi li l-Labour bellakom li l-partnership ahjar u li kieku ma kienetx il-perseveranza ta' Fenech Adami, kieku m'ahniex ha nivvotaw nhar is-Sibt. Imma l-aqwa nibilghu dak li jghidilna il-leader!!! U jekk jghidilna immorru naqbzu ............

M. Pisani

May 31st 2009, 12:08

The Govt has failed to deliver. Once I admired the strategy used by the PN to keep it's Government on it's toes despite being there for so many ears ... however these past 5 years have shown a decline in the quality of life .... hence something is wrong .... with reference to EU issues .... I strongly beleive that the PL Members have striven hard to protect our interests .... the Maltese Electorate has matured over the years so I guess that the result obtained next Saturday will reflect the people's feelings about the situation.

jbusuttil

May 31st 2009, 12:07

If you had to take stock of all those in all these last weeks blogs mostly those who are saying that in the last election voted PN and said that this time will be voting PL and the fewer who said that they voted PL and now will be voting PN then not even one poll is correct as the majority are all PR. To convince me to vote either way and vote against what I vote last general election you have to convince me with facts and not these silly statement of I voted PN/PL and now ill be voting PL/PN.

M. Pisani

May 31st 2009, 12:07

The Govt has failed to deliver. Once I admired the strategy used by the PN to keep it's Government on it's toes despite being there for so many ears ... however these past 5 years have shown a decline in the quality of life .... hence something is wrong .... with reference to EU issues .... I strongly beleive that the PL Members have striven hard to protect our interests .... the Maltese Electorate has matured over the years so I guess that the result obtained next Saturday will reflect the people's feelings about the situation.

David Buttigieg

May 31st 2009, 11:52

@Emanuel Farrugia
"The people spoke in the General Election"??

Actually they spoke overwhelmingly in the referendum but the labour party IGNORED that!

Carmelo(Nenu) Aquilina

May 31st 2009, 11:44

Prositt Sur Tonio Aquilina, Inzertajna t-tnejn Aquilina, inzertajna t-tnejn ghandna l-istess fehma. ghalhekk iddeċidejt li jekk ma jimpurtax inkompli ftit ma' l-ittra miftuha tieghek lil poplu nazzjonalist Malti u Ghawdxi.
Jiena nemmen b'konvinzjoni li n-nazzjonalisti huma wisq izjed inteligenti minn daqshekk. Mhux unur ghal-partitarji nazzjonalisti li ghamlu lill Malta taghna pajjiz ta' succes kbir, imbghad m'ghandniex il-hila li nirbhu u immexxu maggioranza fl-Ewropa.
Fejna l-inteligenza taghna nazzjonalisti? fejnu dak l-entuzjazmu lejn il-partit u l-gvern nazzjonalista? fejna dik il-kburija nazzjonalista biex nirbhu dejjem u ma nitilfu qatt?
Allura qumu minn hemm nazzjonalisti Maltin u Ghawdxin, ejjew ilkoll flimkien niftakru biss fil-gid kbir li gab il-partit nazzjonalista, iddaħkux lil min jobghod l-Ewropa, u lin nazzjonalisti,
tpaxxux lil min irid jaħtaf il-poter akkost ta' kollox, tinsewx il-passat ikrah tal-gvernijiet Laburist!Malta ghanda bzonn il-vot tieghek ghejn lill Malta billi tivvota lill ghaxar kandidat bravi tal-partit nazzjonalist biss!
Kemm thossok kburi u ferhan habieb fis-7 ta'Gunju 2009 meta tisma li l-partit nazzjonalista rebah il-maggioranza fl-Ewropa! Imma minn jaf kemm ser tipki meta tisma il-hornijiet tal-laboristi jdoqqu ghax ikunu rebhu huma.
MELA NAZZJONALISTI HUMU MINN HEMM , GHAMLU KURAGG, U GHAMLU DMIRKOM TA' NIES INTELIGENTI, KUNU NAZZJONALISTI U !MALTIN TA' VERU MORRU IVVOTAW! GRAZZI!

J Spiteri

May 31st 2009, 11:34

Lina Caruana:
"If they want their wishes pursued they should strenghten the government.'s stand in EU not weaken"
Hekk qed jghidulkom biex tigu brainwashed? U emminthom? Possibli ghadek temminhom f'kull ma jghidulek?

I never supported PL under the helm of Alfred Sant, with all due respect to him, but it's not the same with Joseph Muscat!! I'd rather trust him and his MEP candidates rather than trust the PN with all its candidates from whom I was betrayed on electing them once again in 2008! Dahqu bina u ejja nammettuha!

Fool me once, shame on you .... fool me twice shame on me!

lgalea

May 31st 2009, 11:34

Carmel J Farrugia
We are in the eu only temporarily whatever the politicants who are only looking after their own pockets and disregard the burdens imposed upon the people by the eu petty dictators say.
Just wait and see.

Joe Vella

May 31st 2009, 11:33

@Tonio Aquilina.

I am a citizen 365 days a year and not 30 days before the election. I think many people are going to invalidate the vote or not voting at all to the nationalist party candidates. The message is clear but the government is not listening so this is the way many voters are going to pass their frustration with the current situtation.

The government slept on many issues during the past five years which are going to cause him a defeat again i think. For me the fact that the issue with the car registration tax was not tackled seriously so we can buy a more enviromental friendly car at a price the same as in other european countries and other matters is enough for me to think that we are not threated as other european citizens. I recommend everybody to match the car prices in Italy and the UK with those in Malta. It's easy with a few clicks.....

As we already know the goverment will reduce the fuel prices next week to try to impress us a couple of days before the elections!!! Don't fall for it. Remember we are citizens everyday of the year.

Emanuel Farrugia

May 31st 2009, 11:28

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL NATIONALISTS.

DEAR NATIONALISTS ,
Joseph Muscat was quoted as saying in this media that the discussion on EU Accession is now closed. The people spoke in the General Election and democracy dictates that the word of the people is supreme. The Labour party policy was changed accordingly.
When Labour Party MEP's started working in the European Union, the people started noticing that to do is better than to say in relation to their daily life.
And that is what matters most to people.
They now have found the courage to put aside and ignore ALL rhetoric similar to what Mr. Tonio Aquilina is harping about and concentrate on the essential AND THE FUTURE.. More people are beginning to believe that the PL keeps its word. They trust that this is what will offer them a better daily life. Cutting your nose off to spite your face will not give you a better life. The choice is yours. After next Saturday, we shall see who is correct.

R Gatt

May 31st 2009, 11:26

Oh that is so amusing. In an ideal world one would actually vote for the best candidates, and I fail to see how voting errors by some candidates make them the best of the lot when they're not even capable of pressing the right button, probably cos they were asleep or couldn't careless .. and seriously David Casa? please.

Hildbrand Bianco

May 31st 2009, 11:11

Ghalfejn il poplu qed juri bic car li ma jridx lil tal PN? u jrid lil kandidati tal PL? Ghax minhabba l hnizrijiet tad dawl u l ilma, ghax il kandidati tal Meps li telaw 5 snin ilu tal PL gabu rizultati kbar ; tas satelliti, tar roaming, li stajna naraw il football u l formula 1 fuq ir rai, ghax qed jiggieldu ghalina fuq il car registration tax biex niehdu l flus misruqin lura u ghax l aghar wahda hi li Gonzi tilef il kontroll. JPO jaghmel il party fl akbar skandu ta Malta .. Il Mistra. Joseph Muscat hu mexxej li ghandu vizjoni cara. Il kandidati tal PL ma jiddejqu xejn jiggieldu ghad drittijiet tal poplu Malti. Mux bhal Pn jilaqu jilaqu jilaqu jilaqu biss.

Charles Miceli

May 31st 2009, 11:07

I thought that next Saturday's elections had to do with European Parliament. But it seems that I am making a mistake as finally it all boils down to local party trivialities.

Carmel J Farrugia

May 31st 2009, 11:03

We are now in the EU and that is past history. We are now there to stay. I acknowledge that this was due to the Nationalist Party, but this does not mean that we should continue voting for the PN no matter what. The instances of bad governance that one can see and touch every day are too numerous to mention. A point needs to be made that the PN government must clean its act. It is in this election that one can make this point. No matter who wins this election, there will be no lasting effect on the day to day running of this country. It is only a race for which candidate gets the EUR 400,000 in one year or EUR 2,000,000 in five years.

P. Schembri

May 31st 2009, 10:58

@Tonio Aquilina. I agree on one thing for you. Where's the PN when Malta needs you most you should have said. Because from your missive, you have put the party's interests first and foremost and not the national interest.

The Maltese will give their opinion next Saturday. Don't hold your breath for so long to see the result!

Tonio Aquilina

May 31st 2009, 10:23

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL THE NATIONALISTS

Dear Nationalists,

Looking at the Polls, one can see that the PL, the party that voted against the EU membership will once again take the majority of the chairs. All this baffles me. Do you remember how hard Dr. Fenech Adami worked for all this, and I ask? What are we doing ? Do we want to go for the 2nd defeat which is ridiculous losing to a party that opposed the EU. In 1996, Dr. Sant froze the application and we were all so angry. Do you remember the Anti EU member from the PL, the famous Ellul Bonnici who now wants to go and represent Malta as MEP !!! Last Friday one could hear the front runner of the MEP Election, Dr Simon Busuttil talk about all this and yet again I keep on asking you. Were are you when Malta and the Nationalist Party need you. Are we trying to get back at Dr Gonzi or we being the Maltese Nationals that ones voted for us to be part of the EU?

So on the 6th June let us show who we are and what we believe in