Traffic and corruption are switchers’ main concerns
The survey indicates that this strategic category of voters is expressing concerns on three areas – traffic, good governance and environment – where the present government is perceived to have so far failed to deliver.
Switchers are more concerned about the environment and corruption than is the general population – traffic, corruption and the environment top the concerns of respondents who voted PN in 2008 and PL in 2013, according to the latest MaltaToday survey.
While unease about traffic among this category is just slightly higher than among the rest of the population, worry about corruption and lack of transparency is six points higher and concern on the state of the environment is seven points higher.
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The survey indicates that this strategic category of voters is expressing concerns on three areas – traffic, good governance and environment – where the present government is perceived to have so far failed to deliver.
Despite mounting concerns on these three issues, the same survey had also shown that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat remains more trusted than opposition leader Simon Busuttil among this category of voters. While 47% trust Muscat more, Simon Busuttil is more trusted by 25% of switchers. But the survey had also shown 31% of switchers intending to vote PN at the next election, while Labour retains 42%.
Concern on immigration and buses is slightly lower among switchers, while concern about inflation is slightly higher.
The environment does not feature among the concerns of respondents who are presently undecided on who to vote for or intent on not voting in a forthcoming election.
Although corruption features among the six top concerns of these two strategic categories of voters, it is less of a concern than immigration and bread and butter issues like inflation, jobs and low income.
In an indication of the order of priorities of these voters, undecided voters are more concerned with parking issues than corruption. 30% of this category are either concerned by inflation or by low income.
Non-voters tend to express a greater concern on traffic and immigration than the rest of the population.
Although only 7% of the public is concerned with the job situation, the percentage rises to 13% among non-voters.