Three weeks into the electoral campaign and the picture of what is being offered by the two major political parties is getting clearer every day.

On one hand there is the Nationalist Party who last Saturday held the general council where it approved 353 proposals covering a wide spectrum, from the environment to health, education to the economy, always keeping the family as the focus of its policies. On the other hand, there is the Malta Labour Party who earlier in February also approved their electoral manifesto including proposals which the Nationalist government had already implemented some time ago.

Among the proposals which the MLP are putting forward there are the 14 weeks paid maternity leave, the Act on Foster Care and the closing down of the hospital incinerator in Gozo. Two other major issues conjured by the MLP are the renegotiation with the EU and the reception class.

In the last budget the government introduced the measure that unlike before the 14th week of the maternity leave will be paid as well. This is a fact – all those applying for maternity leave this year will get paid for the full 14 weeks.

The Act on Foster Care went through Parliament earlier last year and not only were the Labour MPs present during the debate but they also participated in the discussion.

The other Labour proposal concerning the Gozo incinerator is a step that the government took in December last year when it was closed down. This is something that can be seen by everyone and there can be no lying about it.

The MLP deputy leader was recently asked by a journalist why these proposals are included in the MLP electoral manifesto. The only reason he could come up with was that the PN promises a lot but never delivers. An even worse answer was given when the journalist was told to sniff it out.

Once more this is a clear indication that the MLP does not believe in the acumen of the Maltese people. I’m sure the Maltese electorate is intelligent enough to distinguish who delivers and who keeps promises.

In the meantime, with the 353 proposals presented, the Nationalist Party committed itself black on white. It is very clear that top priority is being given to the three pillars that the PN government committed itself to, i.e. the environment, education and the economy. But as a woman, mother, wife and employee I cannot help not comment on the PN’s commitment to enhance and strengthen the lifestyle of our families.

I can only barely mention a few of these proposals here but a few that will definitely be leaving an impact on the quality of our life.

In the last two budgets income tax was reduced, thus further generating the economy. The income tax will be reduced further and the tax bands will be raised with the maximum tax band of 35 per cent limited only for those earning more than e60,000.

The Nationalist Party believes in the ability of women and wants to help them find the work-life balance even further. In fact mothers who return to work after an absence of five years will get a tax-free year for each of their children under the age of 16, while every working mother will get a tax-free year for every child born in 2007 and later. Families where both parents work will be able to benefit from a network of childcare centres which will be opened all over Malta.

Unlike the Labour Party, the Nationalist Party proposes that overtime will still be paid as it is being paid today and there will be no deductions to the over time rates that are being paid today. Employees will still have the choice to decide whether to work overtime or not.

An issue where many couples especially the elder are concerned about is the inheritance tax. However the PN election manifesto addresses this concern as well. The PN is proposing that when it returns to government the inheritance tax on the marital home will be removed completely not only when inherited between couples but also when it is inherited by their children.

A major concern for parents is the education of their children. The PN does not believe in keeping our children repeaters but has come up with a set of proposals so that all children can succeed irrespective of their abilities. PN investment in education covers from Kindergarten to Tertiary level.

In two weeks time the electorate will be making a choice. Let’s not undermine the importance of this decision. Those who may feel bitter about some personal issue should not let these personal issues put at stake our future. A bad choice can cost us a lot. It can cost us opportunities for our children; it can cost us the peace of mind that we have come to take for granted. A vote to the wrong party may cost us a sound future for our family.

Michelle Mallia is president of the Nationalist Party Women’s Movement