The Opposition Leader’s reply to the 2007 budget speech last Wednesday was far from being cool and relaxed. At best he tried to concoct an almost plausible reply to the Prime Minister’s mastery of the state’s finances. The only saving factor in Dr Sant’s speech was his U-turn that Labour was accepting that Malta should adopt the euro as of 1 January 2008. This is Labour’s own certificate that we have reached the Maastricht criteria and that our finances are on track.

Otherwise his remarks could be described as being the result of a misguided interpretation of facts. This is nothing new. By now, we all know that the Opposition Leader has repeatedly stated just the opposite of what is written on the wall. Even the diehards of his own party must have been wondering whether he was speaking the same language as the rest of us.

We have by now come to assume that his speeches would be full of satiric puns and metaphors. We tend to accept his criticism as being in his style, notwithstanding that the line of thought adopted leaves much to be desired. Did it all make sense or was it just that he was going through the usual motions of saying that all the Nationalist government does is wrong and that only he knows the right path?

What is logical and factual cannot be criticised or ridiculed. In his reply to the budget speech, Dr Sant tended to make comments that seemed totally out of context. His comments, given as his first reaction immediately after the delivery of the budget speech last week, must have awed even his colleagues. Comparing a strong economy to the effects of Viagra is not what one expects from him. He is, after all, a potential Prime Minister in waiting. Even if the comment were to be taken as a joke, it stung of a stale odour.

I believe that his performances are further consolidating him in his present post of Opposition Leader. He does not even afford the floating voters a choice for an alternative government.

Wednesday’s comments must be taken as being in his typical style – that of stating that this government just cannot do anything right and that the solution to all of the nation’s woes can be found only in his own box, the contents of which have become more elusive than ever before. Did he offer one tangible solution to existing difficulties/challenges? – No.

One can perhaps comment that the people expected more, but to try to emphasise that we have got it all wrong seems to be sealing his party’s fate come the next general election. In the days prior to the budget, the opposition had tried to build up non-realistic expectations which even it knew were not feasible.

We are not perfect, far from it. This government will endeavour to do more and, at the same time, correct its inefficiencies. We are sure that after the experience of these last eight years, which have seen our economy face all the challenges presented to it and come out on top, we can take courage from the results we have obtained.

Can one possibly, and bluntly criticize the fact:

• That over Lm200 million have been invested from foreign resources this year into our economy?

• That the government’s containing the deficit to a below three per cent figure in relation to GDP is not a milestone?

• That the millions being invested in education are not by far the best investment one can make for the future of our country?

• That the hundreds of millions of euros coming our way from the EU are not the best window that has been afforded to Malta over the years in order to give us a permanent boost any way we look at policies?

• That the Lm46.9 million to be invested in our infrastructure are projected in the best possible fashion?

• That the various steps and measures being taken towards addressing the modern necessities such as childcare expenses and the ever rising private tuition costs are not a step in the right direction?

• That we are addressing the taxation system in a moderate way which can be further improved when we are sure that our economy is producing enough income to meet the country’s need?

• That this is the second budget in a row presented without the introduction of one measly new tax?

On the other hand, one can criticise various steps and policy decisions, which the Opposition Leader had taken in his hey days as well as in more recent times. It is no surprise that his Premiership came to an abrupt halt after a mere 22 months. Take for example:

• Sant’s hefty increase of meter rental and consumption charges for electricity and water when the price of oil was hitting rock bottom.

• Sant’s move to remove VAT only to substitute it with a six per cent higher CET pyramid system of taxation.

• Sant’s opposition to Malta’s joining the EU and the oft-repeated declaration that our becoming a member would only mean some Lm1.5 million.

• Sant’s repeated insistence that he won the referendum held in March 2003. If 46 per cent is deemed to be higher than 54 per cent, then it’s no wonder that in his government’s budgets all the numbers went wrong and that in a two-year stint the country finished with an extra +Lm280 million deficit.

• Sant’s recent insistence (at Rabat on Sunday 15 October) that he won the referendum makes one very much doubt whether a change in government could mean a further U-turn and showing the European Union the front door.

The time to play around with Malta’s future is long gone and in the past. Insulting the population of a nation, saying that it is incapable of beating the odds even when these are favourable, remains a characteristic of the Labour leadership.

This evening the Prime Minister will make his final remarks. I am sure that these will be worth listening to. I am sure that his words of wisdom will include positive remarks about the future and that a capable Maltese nation can be ambitious and successful. There surely is nothing better than the fact that the Prime Minister and the Nationalist Government have faith in the people. It is the people who shall, after all, make our country’s future a success!

Tony Abela is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister