Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/750768
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2016 16 MaltaToday Survey MALTATODAY'S post budget survey – after the speeches made by both political leaders in parliament and the conclusion of the budget debate – shows Prime Minister Joseph Muscat still leading Busuttil by 6.8 points, a marginal decrease of a point over September, when respondents were asked which leader they trusted the most. The gap between the two leaders is now four points lower than it was a year ago af- ter the budget, but before Panamagate made headlines. The survey also shows the PL leading by 3.5 points, slightly up from 2.7 points in Sep- tember. The difference still falls within the margin of error of the survey. But the survey confirms inroads made by the PN and its leader among traditional La- bour voters, with Simon Busuttil emerging as the trusted choice of 8% of those who had voted for Alfred Sant's PL in 2008, up from just 5% last month. It also shows 7% of these voters now intending to vote PN. But the survey also shows Busuttil los- ing some ground among switchers, among whom he loses 13 points. The survey shows a relative majority of switchers (43%) trust neither Muscat nor Busuttil, and do not in- tend to vote in a forthcoming election (39%). Overall there has been little change since MaltaToday's last survey held in September, which suggests that the budget and the op- position's criticism to it have not altered the political landscape significantly. Both political leaders have seen a slight drop in support, with Muscat losing one point and Busuttil losing half a point, which was reflected in a small increase of those who trust neither leader or who are undecided. Both political leaders remain more popular than their respective party. But while Joseph Muscat's trust rating is seven points higher than the support for his party, Busuttil's trust rating is four points higher than sup- port for his party. This indicates that Labour has space for future growth among that cate- gory of electors who prefer Muscat to Busut- til, but who are not committed with regard to voting intentions. 7% of PL voters shifting to PN While Labour starts with this notable ad- vantage, MaltaToday's survey confirms a shift in favour of the PN. While only 1.5% of PN voters in 2013 say they would now vote Labour, 6.8% (up from 6%) of PL voters in 2013 now say they will vote PN. But the survey shows that only 18% of switchers (down from 33% in September) intend to vote PN. On the other hand Mus- cat has gained two points among switchers. It has to be noted that due to the small size of switchers represented in the survey, these results are only indicative. But this suggests that in the past weeks the PN has made more inroads among tradi- Post-Budget: Muscat leads by 7 points, Labour by 3.5 For which political party would you vote if an election were held tomorrow? PL PN AD PD Not voting Don't know No reply 32.2% 28.7% 2.1% 1.3% 1% 10% 15.2% 9.4% Others A small category of switchers who voted for Alfred Sant's Labour in 2008 not only reject Muscat's party now but are willing to vote PN and prefer Busuttil to Muscat Another significant segment of non- voters are PL voters from 2008, 9% of whom will not be voting. The percentage rises to 15% among the whole cohort of 2013 voters Simon Busuttil makes inroads with 2008 Labour voters but loses ground among "switchers" – 40% of switchers today say they will not vote 3% of PL voters in 2008 would now vote PN. But the PN's inroads do not add up sufficiently to overturn Labour's majority AD and PD retain same level of support as in May, support for other parties increases by 0.4%. But not voting remains a more appealing option for voters JAMES DEBONO A Labour rally in 2008: the survey confirms the emergence of a small category of switchers who voted for Alfred Sant's Labour in 2008 who not only reject Muscat's party now but are willing to vote PN and prefer Busuttil to Muscat. This shift may explain why the PN leader has been making a concerted effort to appeal to these voters by focusing on issues like increasing the minimum wage.