ANGRY voters have sent former Liberal Martin Hamilton-Smith a strong message over his defection to the Labor Government, in a survey showing that almost half those in his electorate are less likely to vote for him and more than 40 per cent want a by-election.

The Advertiser survey of 350 voters in the south-eastern suburbs electorate of Waite also revealed 42 per cent felt betrayed by Mr Hamilton-Smith’s decision on Tuesday to leave the Liberal Party and join the Labor Government’s Cabinet as an independent Liberal.

The new Investment, Trade and Defence Industries Minister has stopped short of predicting that he will retain his seat at the 2018 election, but believes many voters will come to understand his decision in time.

The Advertiser survey found 45.71 per cent of people were less likely to vote for Mr Hamilton-Smith following his defection.

However, his shock decision made 20.57 per cent more likely to give him their vote. Mr Hamilton-Smith’s defection left 42 per cent of respondents feeling betrayed, compared to 46 per cent who did not.

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There were 41.14 per cent of voters who wanted a by-election in Waite — despite it being only 10 weeks since the last state election — but 43.14 per cent did not.

Liberal leader Steven Marshall has called on Mr Hamilton-Smith to resign and force a by-election but the now-independent MP has refused.

“I can understand that people might feel surprised and disappointed, particularly if they are politically wed to the Liberal Party,” Mr Hamilton-Smith told The Advertiser last night.

“I think when people have an opportunity to consider carefully and reflect on the decion I’ve made, I’m quietly confident that many of them — if not most of them — will see the merit of my decision.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said he would write a newsletter to his constituents explaining his decision.

He has also temporarily taken down his website to update it.

Asked if he thought he could hold Waite in March, 2018, Mr Hamilton-Smith said it was “too early to tell”.

He conceded his primary vote would likely fall in a “three-cornered contest” involving the major parties and an independent candidate.

“I would be certainly very hopeful that I would hold the seat of Waite,” he said.

“I wouldn’t presume for one moment what the outcome would be. I’ve got three-and-a-half years now to prove to the people of Waite that the decision I’ve made was the right one.

“I intend to work very hard on their behalf and get some results. If the good people of Waite re-elect me, I’ll feel vindicated. if they don’t, there’ll be a message in that.”

University of Adelaide political analyst Professor Clem MacIntyre said it was possible for Mr Hamilton-Smith to retain the seat but “I wouldn’t think it's a strong possibility”.

“I think he’s going to struggle but that’s four years out,” he said.

“It will be an extremely tough challenge for him.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith continues to draw scorn from former Liberal colleagues.

Yesterday, first-term MP for Mitchell, Corey Wingard, released a statement describing his defection as “the best thing that could have happened to the South Australian Liberal Party”.

“If you’re not honourable, trustworthy and committed to South Australia’s best interests, then we don’t want you in our united team,” Mr Wingard said.

“We’ve seen it in sport — Carlton got rid of Brendan Fevola, the Brisbane Lions showed Jason Akermanis the door because he was hurting the team. Mr Hamilton-Smith has done us a favour.”

Liberal backbencher and former independent Mitch Williams echoed those sentiments on ABC breakfast radio, blaming Mr Hamilton-Smith for past disunity in the party.

“This guy has been a serial challenger (for the party leadership) and I would argue has been probably the main cause of the discontent and disunity within the Liberal Party over a long, long period,” Mr Williams said.

Mr Marshall called on Mr Hamilton-Smith to take the “only honourable course of action” and resign to force a by-election.

“The Advertiser’s survey reveals that almost 50 per cent of South Australians living in the electorate of Waite are less likely to vote for Mr Hamilton-Smith after he treacherously turned his back on his community,” Mr Marshall said.

“In fact, more than 40 per cent of South Australians living in the electorate of Waite support my call for a by-election.

“These South Australians voted for a Liberal candidate, but got a Labor Cabinet Minister.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith argued that he still holds the same values he put to the electorate in March and will act in line with these as part of the Labor Government.

Asked to respond to the survey results, Premier Jay Weatherill said: “People need to accept that Mr Hamilton-Smith has made his decision and we should now focus on what he and the Government can achieve together.”

Mr Hamilton-Smith said he had been the target of “a lot of personal vitriol” but more supporters were coming forward as the week progressed.

He was eager to take part in his first Cabinet meeting on Monday and provide “a different set of eyes”, along with independent kingmaker Geoff Brock, in a room full of Labor ministers.

Labor ministers yesterday welcomed Mr Hamilton-Smith’s perspective.

“When we go into the Cabinet room we’re all equal,” Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said.

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