National issues were of little concern to the electorate and the Nationalist Party may have underestimated this, according to former Justice Minister Chris Said.

Speaking soon after it became apparent that the PN had slumped to its worst defeat in decades, Dr Said noted that in Gozo – where he is from – people want to discuss their own problems.

“They were not talking about national issues and this should teach us a lesson to understand what people feel,” he said, adding the electorate’s verdict was very clear.

The PN has to “stop, think and evaluate”, he said. “The PN is capable of coming out of this and regaining its strength in opposition.”

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said defeat was bound to happen after 15 years in government. “It had to happen at some point,” he reflected.

The same sense of dejection was evident in former MP Karl Gouder’s voice. He insisted the PN had to take “a good look at itself” over the next few months as it digested the magnitude of the defeat.

Former Transport Minister Austin Gatt had no comment to make. “I am retired,” he told The Times as he paced the counting hall with a smile on his face.

Dr Gatt did not contest the election but was heavily involved in the PN campaign along with former general secretary Joe Saliba.

Hermann Schiavone, who was prevented from contesting with the PN, said the polls had been right all along.

“Nobody believed the margin surveys were showing even though many expected a Labour victory,” Mr Schiavone said.

The PN has to analyse the result, he added, expressing confidence that the party will overcome this difficult period.