Time and time again, the Nationalist government looks weak and tired. After 20 years at the helm of this blessed country, ministers have simply lost their glamour and charm.

Their antics may have been successful in the late 1980s to sweep out a number of Labour ministers-turned-demigods from power. Labour governance preceding the 1987 election was out-dated, strained and tarnished Labour’s golden years in the 70s and early 80s. Our country cried for change, and the PN was, by default, the only major party that could offer such change. Prominent Labour activists distanced themselves from the party, while others launched new political formations.

Similarly, we are now faced with an arrogant government that paved Malta’s future in 1987, and rightly so. Yet in 2007, history is repeating itself. The PN lost touch with the electorate, lost its accountability, lost count of all pending projects that are overdue and over-budget, lost its energy and above all lost its soul. New factions are becoming more evident within the Nationalist Party’s ranks, new right-wing political formations have been set up, and just like the late 80s, ministers have become deities.

It comes to no surprise, that Labour has won all five electoral tests in the past four years under Dr Alfred Sant’s solid leadership. The next election will be lost and won on competence, accountability and trustworthiness which can only be offered by a new labour government.

Andre Borg

Birkirkara