The Nationalist Party held its general council meeting last weekend. It is an annual event where the party, every time, opens itself to the people from all walks of life, from outside the party, to hear, listen and note down what the grassroots and the man in the street is saying.

This is part of a total excercise which will lead to the formation of the party manifesto, but only after the party listens to what the people have to say.

It’s a process coming from the lower ranks to the upper. It is not a prepared paper with visions that are taking place, have taken place or are already done. The persons within each workshop, working breakfasts and all the process have names attached to them, unlike the papers prepared by the Labour Party that have remained unsigned.

This conference comes in the wake of good news from the European Union, which issued one certificate after another that the statistics issued are credible and sustainable. This point proves that the attacks, personal and professional, on the National Statistics Office and the person in charge were, again, not believed. Those who accused the NSO were put into place, even by the European Union.

From this, one derives the fact that the attacks and the statistics that the Labour Party were quoting were not believed at all.

This general council meeting was full of confidence, full of fruitful visions, that not only did they cater for the immediate needs, but go beyond to 2015, giving everyone the chance to think about the bright future awaiting this country under a Nationalist government.

It is a vision of more people working, of more education and economic growth, coupled with a care for the environment. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s speech on Sunday was one that mirrored the people’s wishes. Everybody has a space, everybody can arrive at his goals, and this government is preparing the ground for everybody, whether the person is computer literate or a manual worker. In fact, the Prime Minister announced a further expansion at MCAST, where many trades are taught, thus ensuring a global vision.

By contrast, I zapped along the local stations and found a guest in Toni Abela’s programme, speaking on how Karl Marx was right on a lot of things and how marxism is good and useful. That marks the difference between the choice of both parties.

The voter who may be tempted to give a chance to the Labour Party, although its leader lost three elections so far, should wonder on these differences. A voter who has children knows of a Nationalist vision of opportunities for their very own children. And a child is far better that a gun for hunting, and better than a long lost socialist faith.

We are on our last year before next election, wherein you will decide the future of this country and the future for your family. Many things will continue to be done, whether or not the election is next year. The propaganda that this government will initiate projects just because an election is within 12 months is just a fallacy.

This government, which by the way is a new government, under the direction of a new prime minister, is only three years old, and there is a lot of fuel left in its tank.

The best is yet to come and all those who heard the prime minister delivering his speech were surely convinced of his intentions. Any floating voter sees this difference. Statistics prove the path taken was correct, the road ahead is smooth, and no voter will risk upsetting that chart, unless you do not care for your children, that is.

Robert Arrigo is a Nationalist MP