“You have to believe in order to achieve.” That was my belief as a young girl, that is my belief now and that apparently is the belief of Dr Alfred Sant. There is no doubt whatsoever that what Dr Charles Mangion stated on the second day of the conference, will be a confirmed prophecy soon to materialise. “We do not plan to remain in the opposition,” he boldly stated with a conviction that convinced the audience at the Malta Labour Party general headquarters that it would only be a matter of time before the Malta Labour Party is in power.

Achieving through believing was running through Dr Sant’s veins as he delivered his final speech. A man for all reasons who held his audience spellbound as he revealed all over again the five plans covering the family, elderly persons, youths in general, working conditions and gender equality. The man in opposition has certainly come a long way since his electoral defeat in 1998.

In spite of many a “sword-thrashing”, in spite of various comments that he should call it a day as leader of the opposition, in spite of many a Nationalist grinning while stating that with Dr Sant as leader of the opposition, the Malta Labour Party would never stand a chance of being leading the country (since when did the Nationalists want the “best” for us?), Dr Sant, a fighter, a survivor, definitely not a quitter, managed to win three seats in the EU against the two presented by the Nationalist Party plus various victories at local council elections.

There is evidence enough to prove that the Nationalists are suffering from a “terminal illness” which will be their defeat at the next general election while the believer and achiever will be walking up the steps to Castille yelling victory for the Labour Party.

The Maltese are tired of blood, sweat and tears over water and electricity rates which will be revised once the MLP is elected to government, as promised by deputy leader Charles Mangion.

Political victimisation at his place of work was the main factor which pushed Dr Michael Falzon into the political arena and he brought to light his socialist values of solidarity and justice which have been absent for a long time under the Nationalist regime.

The Malta Labour Party conference addressed problems like family, elderly persons, gender equality and working conditions which leave me no room for doubt that Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Silvio Parnis, Helena Dalli, Dr Justyne Caruana and Dr Karl Chircop will strive to succeed.

For an interminable number of years now, we have existed and not lived and poverty has reared its ugly head.

If crimes in New York take place every two minutes, we are stepping fast into that direction.

Pensioners are worried about their future, a future with less money to fill their bellies, youths wanting to get married are finding it difficult to afford a place of their own because government plots are now history.

Where is a Nationalist government going to lead us if God forbid, people are fools enough to want them to reign again.

You have to believe in order to achieve. That is why the Malta Labour Party conference will have such a huge impact on people. The Malta Labour Party believes.

Valerie Borg

Valletta