Comments on: “Using the Internet, the Leave camp was able to create the perception of wide-ranging public support for their cause that acted like a self-fulfilling prophecy, attracting many more voters to back Brexit”

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:45:00 +0000

We’re talking about campaigning on the internet here, not about construction.

By: James Attard

James Attard — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:22:00 +0000

I find this insight very interesting. I have made additional analysis based on Internet usage.

Internet penetration in UK is: “In quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2015, almost all adults aged 16 to 24 years were recent internet users (99%), in contrast with 33% of adults aged 75 years and over. Although recent internet use is notably lower in the older age groups, the proportion of adults aged 75 years and over who had never used the internet, decreased from 76% in quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2011 to 61% in quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2015.” (source: ons.gov.uk, 2015).

By analysing its demographics one can also see that “the average (median) population age was 40.0 in 2014” (source: National Population Projections, 2014).

In a nutshell, those people in their 40s had a great influence on the outcome if we assume that social media was strategically effective.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:12:00 +0000

In reply to Les Bonbons. With very limited success at present, given how the mood has changed.

By: J Sammut

J Sammut — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Malta’s current government employs people to post comments on the internet.

By: Les Bonbons

Les Bonbons — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:56:00 +0000

Labour (in Malta) did the same thing in 2013 and have carried on doing it, even now.