Only votes count

I think that George Vella was trying to be funny when he stated that unless more than 47.5 per cent of eligible voters vote for EU membership in the forthcoming referendum, he will consider that the result should be against.

I never expected this from a person with the parliamentary experience and stature such as Dr Vella. He should know much better than I, a simple man-in-the-street, that even in parliament, whenever a vote is taken, it is the members present who are counted, not the members elected.

He should remember vividly members being taken on stretchers to parliament to vote for or against an important law. When Dom Mintoff abstained from voting, when Dr Vella formed part of the last Labour government, the speaker promptly saved the day for the government. But when he voted against, it was bye-bye to the hot, comfy seat!

When the Labour Party was electing its leader, only the votes of those present were counted.

So please, Dr Vella, do not try to be funny - it is not your job, nor does it fit your personality. It is a well-known fact that those who either do not go to vote or invalidate their vote know that their vote will not be counted and only those who vote for or against will be taken into consideration.