. It would seem that the 2007 round of local elections has proved to be their worst nightmare and convinced them even more that political parties should stay out of local councils.
The Malta Labour Party have engaged on a rampage that is totally out of proportion to what the residents of 22 localities will vote for. Labour have not limited themselves to promoting what they can do. If they had done this it would be justified for them to argue that they are trying to convince the electorate that they are better than us.
However, they have degenerated the whole campaign in attacking mayors and contractors, and coming up with stories that are far from the truth. The fact that these elections may be the last before the national polls does not justify Labour to use these tactics to garner votes. If this is the prelude to the general elections campaign the electorate may take an opportunity to vote against this sort of politics, now before it descends into free fall.
Labour think that it is was a bright idea to attack Nationalist majority councils because projects overran, or else they are paying a contractor as much as the Commissioner of Police, or else a fountain does not work, or else a footpath was covered with concrete. Those who are not familiar with council workings may think that these are all scandals and that this are only limited to Nationalist majorities. In actual fact, councils do a marvellous job and have helped our country collectively by working in order to improve our environment. The fact that a project overruns takes place in every locality, whether having a Nationalist or a Labour majority and the cause may be out of the control of the council. There may be technical or financial reasons, and where party politics has very little influence.
The fact that a handyman contractor receives gross payment more than the salary of a Commissioner of Police is not out of the ordinary. In my locality (Pieta), the council pays the same amount to the rubbish collectors and the street sweeper. If the Commissioner of Police feels that he is in the wrong profession is another matter; however, anybody who works within Councils know that contracts are not cheap. Every council has a handyman service and is paid for a variety of works that are done, on the nature of the works offered and also depending on the size of the locality. Mosta is one of the larger localities and that is why Labour councillors had approved and voted in favour of his payments.
The Nationalist Party could have also listed the numerous shortcomings of Labour mayors and councillors and it could have blown out of proportion some examples. The fact is that such negative campaigning is not acceptable in today’s political atmosphere.
Criticising policies and works would be expected from the competing parties. The fear of criticism keeps a politician on the right track. However, there is a clear distinction between the criticism of policies and blowing things out of proportion while giving wrong impressions that certain things are not part of the workings of councils. Labour is certainly guilty of exaggerating incidents in order to create scandals when there is, in actual fact, no scandal at all.
Councillors work within the locality free of charge while mayors receive a small remuneration of less than Lm2,000 per annum. They consequently give up their time in favour of discussing and deciding upon politics and works that take place within their community. Many councillors work beyond council meetings, and hold meetings with government department officials, oversee works while they are being carried out and more importantly their constant availability for the locality’s residents and more. To be unjustly crucified in the media for doing one’s duty just goes to show you how Labour are desperate and unable to play politics fairly.
No number of votes that may be obtained from these tactics justifies the way people in public office are morally destroyed. Unlike ministers and parliamentarians, most councillors do not have a back up staff, nor public relations officers in order to fend off such attacks and from experience councillors under the relentless attack of the Labour media feel helpless and frustrated on how these lies are allowed to continue.
The only defence should be the electorate itself. If you are disgusted with this type of politics, then the option not to vote and turn away should not be resorted to. Abstaining from voting on 10 March because you are fed up with the bickering and the mud slinging will only allow Labour to achieve the result that they want. This will encourage Labour to increase its dose in every election.
The Nationalist Party is responsible for a campaign that focused on local issues and has criticised Labour gimmicks and inactivity, when they had the opportunity to work better. We are presenting a group of candidates that are willing to work in the stress and pressure of local politics in order to achieve a better quality of life in these 22 communities. We are not promising perfection, but a clear commitment towards the direct interest of the locality.
Dr Mifsud is president of the Nationalist Party College of Councillors