The choice of the date for the next general election is in the hands of the Prime Minister. So we are told, and so do most of us believe. However, it is apparent from the political behaviour of the Nationalist Party, especially its political machinery, that the party is planning to put on is gear for the electoral game.
The way things are being handled by the Nationalist Party, and the language coming out of its media, are clear signs of these preparations. Recently, local media is also hot on this issue and is speculating on the formation of the Nationalists’ war cabinet and of its regular meetings. We are also being told that the leader of the Nationalist Party has decided to include in the team old-time veterans.
Having said so, however, all this still forms part of the democratic process and the party in government always has the benefit to choose the date most advantageous to it.
This does not frighten the Labour Party. Democratic we have always been and that is the way it will be in the future. We will play the game the way it should be played. The Nationalists might have the wrong impression that by surprising us with an unexpected date, we might be caught on the wrong foot.
How mistaken they are, if this is the thinking in Pietà and Castille! Labour has never been more prepared for the general elections than this time around. Within the Labour Party, “Project Election” has now been going through all its stages and when the whistle blows and the game kicks off, we will be ready to play in the country’s best interests.
The Nationalist Party’s poor performance over the last 20 years is by far the greatest difficulty it has to overcome. This government has failed in delivering what it had promised in its manifestos, in almost all the areas of government. Leaving the Nationalist ministers’ arrogance apart, their delivery leaves much to be desired.
Yes, we do have a certain number who are enjoying the benefits of whatever this government is delivering and may there be many, many more; but by far the rest of us have been in for progressively-increasing harder times. Taxation is eroding our standard of living and quality of life, and there seems to be no way out of this predicament, unless there is a change in the direction of the government’s finances. The management of the oil price increases and their translation into the high energy and water surcharges, is indeed the most painful indication of the inability of this government, to understand the sensitivity of an overtaxed nation.
Coming out of a very successful 1 May celebrations, Labour is clearly showing the way out of this predicament, and this through its preparedness for government. The way things were done by our party to celebrate this great day, shows clearly that we can do it, whatever it takes, from the serious political, cultural, economic and social consolations, to the real meaning of celebration. And, yes, Labour can also party in a different way from party politics. This balance gives us the motivation and energy to move forward.
From the present government with all its failings, the majority of the Maltese clearly want to move on to a government for all. A government that cares, by aiding the successful to progress further and is also willing and able to help those who have failed in getting back on course. The vast majority of the Maltese want a government that plans the way forward and works on its well-built and widely-consulted plans. There is willingness, among others, to get national finances in shape and to keep them that way by serious management and elimination of waste, in the interests of all.
This is the environment for a successful election campaign and the promise of a successful administration. A government that has all the Maltese population, and not merely part of it, on its radar screen. This is the central issue for the next election – that all the Maltese are in the focus of our party activity.
The promise is clear, we will be more than an alternative government – we will definitely be a better one!
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Dr Michael Falzon is the MLP deputy leader for party affairs