I’m not exactly fond of opinion polls. They’ve been proved wrong both locally and abroad. People who go only by data that comes out of opinion polls tend to care more about how to influence those same polls than about the substance of their thinking and principles.

People who do this end up being paper-men, easily swayed by the wind and by vote-catching.

Notwithstanding their shortcomings, surveys can’t be totally disregarded. Modern politics needs them. The secret is to weigh their results carefully and, like most things in life, not obsess about them.

Just over three years ago an ever-smiling Joseph Muscat did exactly what the polls were predicting. He led his movement to a historic victory at election time. While leader of the Opposition he had screamed, organised a multitude of press conferences and railed constantly against all the wrongs of the Nationalist Party. Truth be told, he did exactly what was expected of him as leader of the Opposition.

Muscat promised meritocracy along with other mantras and delivered nothing, showing them up as just hollow silly words

While exercising his constitutional role, he was also dishing out all sorts of promises. Like many Labour Party leaders before him he also said the expected platitudes regarding how he would change politics. He promised new life to the country. The country was not doing badly under the PN but people wanted a new bandmaster. Muscat seemed to the big majority of electors a great man to pass on the baton to.

Having experienced his premiership for three years, we can analyse how well he has kept his promises.

He promised transparency and he has failed abjectly.

He promised good governance and he has ruined it for many years to come.

He promised meritocracy along with other mantras and delivered nothing, showing them up as just hollow silly words. But people fell for Muscat’s sleek words, his glittering hope.

Once in power he changed quicker than Jekyll into Hyde and the transformation from gentle dove to vicious jackal was complete. His mantras turned to paper which burnt ever so quickly once he climbed up the stairs to Castille.

All he wanted, all he planned with his restricted inner circle, was to take over the country. To achieve that he needed votes, which he set out to gain by seeming ever so accommodating, ever so nice to all from switchers to disgruntled people who were ready to trade in a vote for their own personal advancement.

The country’s voters felt deluded and sought refuge in Muscat. This after Gonzi and the PN had put Malta on its feet and rocketed it gloriously into the European Union.

The PN had also put the country right where it belongs: in the top division instead of having it languish in the Third World region, as it did under the stewardship of Labour in the 1970s and 1980s.

After hijacking the Labour Party, Muscat—who is incredibly capable for the wrong ends—hijacked the country. People by the droves believed in the man and empowered him to be prime minister but at the same time entrusted the country lock, stock and barrel to him and Keith Schembri, his shady chief of staff.

The latter, before managing countries and their financial portfolio, had built a business empire mainly selling paper.

If you look at the mayhem Muscat has wrought in the police, army, the environment, and now tragically even in the financial world, you would be excused to think that he has been in power for a decades, rather than a few short years.

He has even changed his tune lately and from being ever-ready to pander to the free press he now thunders and rails against them.

The two main newspapers in English have, editorial after editorial, highlighted this change in attitude by Muscat and his team. This should set off a frightening array of light bulbs to signal a situation of distress.

Instead, the now grim-looking, stern Muscat uses bullying tactics with all, not just allowing ill-advised consultants to remain in power but spouting vile, horrendous attacks on anyone who dares criticise the Labour Party.

Muscat has removed his mask. This is scaring his voters and, according to a recent poll, the difference between the two main parties is now paper-thin.

Muscat will do anything in his capacity to smile again and shower the Maltese people with paper glitter—the money type. He might not do so illegally but he will dip into Malta’s pockets to go back to pre-election mode and promise everyone everything.

Like the sleazy snake oil seller he will try pulling off another victory by posing as young, energetic and someone who can deliver.

It will serve the country and its future well if the people keep their eyes wide open and not fall for the fraudulent sales pitch once more.

Mario Rizzo Naudi is a Nationalist Party election candidate.

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