The attempt of the Nationalist Party to win the next general election by instilling a fear of change in the majority of the Maltese people shows how patronising this party has become after more than 20 years in power. The Prime Minister, and some of the media columnists who defend him like the Republican Guards, treat normal

intelligent people as if they were morons unable to decide what is good for them and their families.

The Nationalist government, after having abused the trust repeatedly given it by the electorate over the past 20 years, now has no better weapon to obstruct people’s natural yearning for change than sowing the seeds of doubt about how desirable such change can really be. With brazen arrogance they say that, even if their performance is no longer acceptable to most of the families who have had to put up with their incompetence, there is really no viable alternative to their pathetic governance of the country.

But breaking with the past is the best way of instilling new hope in the long-suffering Maltese families. The spiralling cost of living, the declining living standards since Gonzi took over, the anaemic economic growth when compared to that achieved by other new EU countries, the low level of achievement in the educational sector, the

inefficient medical services and the careless management of taxpayers’ money in major public projects are the reasons why change is so badly needed in this country.

Prime Minister Gonzi and his spin-doctors bend over backwards to hide the faces of the politically geriatric

cabinet who have run out of ideas and who lack the energy to exploit the opportunities of EU membership after having sold the EU dream to thousands of Maltese families. They are so used to accepting mismanagement of public funds and corruption as an inevitable element of political life that they no longer react to decent people’s obvious abhorrence of these negative elements that have crept into the

governance of the country.

Dr Gonzi may project himself as a leader with a “safe pair of hands” but he proved impotent to bring about change when he was sworn in as Prime Minister three years ago. He had every opportunity to change his cabinet and bring in some new faces to energise it. All he was able to do was to sack his rival in the leadership contest to ensure that all those around him behaved like meek acolytes.

Of course change brings uncertainties. No one likes change for change’s sake because we all feel more secure living in our comfort zone. But change is also the seed of renewal. And this country needs renewal. It needs the energy, enthusiasm and the determination to improve the quality of life of our people.

Democracy thrives on the regular periodic change of the leadership of the country. It is up to every one of us to bring about this change. Every vote has its weight in deciding whether this country turns the corner and faces a bright sunny future, or continues to live in the cold penumbra of stagnation under a geriatric regime.

There is nothing to fear more than fear itself. Fear of change, as instigated by the present Nationalist government, will condemn the country to five more years of mediocrity, unbridled arrogance and a deteriorating standard of living. We need to tackle the real issues that affect the quality of life of our families.

We need to address the spiralling cost of living, the poor service provided by our public health system, the low educational standards achieved by almost half of our young people, the lack of proper employment opportunities, especially for women, and several other threats to our quality of life.

Let us embrace change. Let not allow anyone to use the politics of despair and fear to deny us the opportunity for a better life. Let us exploit membership of the EU and the Eurozone to raise the living standards of our families to those of the more prosperous countries in Europe. Let us work hard to make our country a nation of achievers. Let us use our democratic right to alternate the party that leads our country.

Let us go with Labour and get things done.

email: [email protected]

www.mangioncharles.com

Dr Mangion is deputy leader

of the Opposition