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Survey results trigger new Xarabank, MLP war

The results of the recent ‘Xarabank’ survey on the political parties’ popularity has triggered yet another war of words between the ‘Where’s Everybody’ media company and Labour party activists.

Writing in the Labour-leaning L-Orizzont this week, MLP activist Joe Sammut caused a stir when he ridiculed the survey, published on Thursday, saying that its results were not credible, since over half the participants were undecided or unwilling to answer the questions.

However, ‘Xarabank’ host, Peppi Azzopardi, defended the survey’s results, suggesting the MLP’s reaction was little more than sour grapes at the outcome.

The survey, which asked questions directly related to political party loyalties, was bound to hit a raw nerve with its sensitive subject matter. It put the Nationalist party ahead of the Labour party by 8.2 per cent in the popularity stakes, indicating the PN had increased its lead when compared to a previous survey done in October.

A total of 33.8 per cent of survey respondents said they would vote for the PN if an election were to be held the following day, while 25.6 per cent said they would vote for the MLP. A total of 14.7 per cent declared their intention not to vote, while almost one out of every four respondents was undecided.

But Joe Sammut lambasted the survey, saying that it was ridiculous to describe the PN as having a lead when just over half the people asked had opted out of giving their opinion.

"How can one talk, give details, make propaganda on a survey in which 53 per cent of the people either did not have an opinion, or did not want to reveal who they will vote for in the next election?" he asked.

"To bluntly state that the Nationalist party is ahead of the Labour party by 8.2 per cent in the popularity stakes does not make sense."

Mr Sammut questioned whether MLP supporters were afraid of making their loyalties known for fear of the consequences.

"A total of 47 per cent participated in the survey and that is strange when one knows how politically polarised Malta is," he said. "Intimidation is not unheard of and that is why I believe some of the Labour Party supporters are sceptical about giving their opinion."

But Peppi Azzopardi said he could not understand why there was such an over-reaction to the survey.

"A survey held last February by us had shown the Labour party in the lead," he pointed out. "The same survey had many people either not answering the question or replying that they were unsure.

"But that time the MLP believed the survey to the extent that they went to Brussels saying that the Nationalists hadn’t got a mandate for EU membership because the majority of the people were in favour of the Labour stand."

Mr Azzopardi said that if the Labour party had nothing to hide it should publish its surveys which are commissioned frequently.

"But it looks as if the Labour party simply criticises the surveys when results are not in their favour and start throwing mud, when all we want to do is reveal the truth," he added.

Mr Azzopardi stressed that surveys are only an indication of trends and not gospel.

"But before the last local council elections, the ‘Xarabank’ survey gave the MLP a lead and it was an accurate sign. So although not 100 per cent correct, surveys, commissioned in a serious manner, are always important."

This is not the first time that the MLP has fallen out with ‘Where’s Everybody’ In October, when a survey giving similar trends was made public, the Labour party criticised many aspects of how the poll was conducted, alongside its results.