After having heard both the Prime Minister and a number of Cabinet ministers and backbenchers intervene during the ongoing budget debate in the House of Representatives, it is instantly apparent that they all seem to have one common denominator on their agenda – the continuous “rubbishing” of Alfred Sant.

Although the other day a Radio 101 listener rang up his favourite station to question the utility and feasibility of such a strategy, I can very well understand what is prodding the Nationalists to pursue such a line of action.

Given that they are fully aware that they are in the doldrums, their strategists seem to be arguing that by “rubbishing” Alfred Sant they could give the electorate the impression that there is very little to choose between the two main sides in terms of sterility and mediocrity with the consequence that baffled and disillusioned Nationalists might be tempted to vote PN again, for lack of a better alternative.

In a nutshell, this is nothing but a damage limitation exercise by a party that is fully aware that it has reached the point of no return.

If Dr Gonzi’s budget speech failed to inspire voters and televiewers, his reply to the opposition leader’s intervention in the House was bereft of any vision or forward-looking ideas. It was merely a mud-slinging exercise trying to belittle the achievements of a former Labour government.

But this ball game is by now passè.

When spin becomes more important than reality and when the PM makes it very clear that he is trapped in a world of spin and blandness, then that means the guy is in real trouble.

But the most quotable quote in the House was made by Austin Gatt when he stated categorically without the slightest blush that people are indeed better off today than they were in the past.

The people of different political hues who I meet in my home visits all tend to beg to differ. It is becoming increasingly evident that people are ready to embrace change.

Just by setting up an ethos of distrust in their opponents, the Nationalists cannot expect to win back their long- lost support as will surely be evident during the forthcoming local elections.

Instead of keeping their feet on the ground, the Nationalists are specialising in one particular tactic – that of causing irritation and alienation.

They simply cannot realise that too much spin erodes trust. They seem to be equally blind to this strategy’s damaging consequences, which is causing a lot of ill-feeling among the electorate.

With the show being run by many Nationalist back-room boys, their strategy can only sow one thing – a series of doubts and concerns about the whole political make-up of this shrivelling island.

Those expecting to find hope and inspiration in what the government side had to say so far during the budget debate, should cast their sights elsewhere.

Are we heading for October 2007 elections?

Many people I meet are becoming more and more convinced that the government will not run the whole term of office but will instead call elections prematurely in October 2007. While certain adjustments to the tax system are likely to be introduced by next budget, given that the cut-off date of the working group on tax reform is mid-year 2006, many are of the considered opinion that the government will try and avoid two obvious vote-losers:

The further rise in the water and electricity surcharge to its projected peak of 84 per cent in December 2007;

The introduction of the euro in January 2008.

The latter could easily cost government votes, particularly because reports from Brussels show that most of the Maltese are already of the opinion that the changeover from the lira to the euro will lead to price- abuse and inflation.

There is another factor that must weigh against government.

The budgetary impact of the government collective agreement which will dent our coffers most throughout 2008.

Some might argue that it is pointless as well as premature to speculate on election dates when there could be so many unknown factors that might see the light of day between now and then, but the prospect of October 2007 elections seems to make sense – at least, at this given point in time!

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Leo Brincat is the Main Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and IT.