The style of government we have at present can be described in various phases, but the one that is probably most suitable is that the present administration practices government by stealth and deceit. They proclaim all the necessary rhetoric about caring for family welfare, but then treat families with contempt in various ways.
They now want us to believe that they are pro family when the truth is that during the last 20 years they have eroded the quality of life of most families by increasing the tax burden year after year. VAT charges on practically all commodities, including some relating to education, are among the highest in Europe. As if this was not enough, every conceivable charge for a licence or other service provided by the government has been multiplied more than once.
But now they tell us that they will decrease income tax to benefit our families. From every Lm100 this government has taken from our pockets, they are now feeling very generous and are giving us back Lm10.
They try to appease those families who are being crushed by the high cost of living, including the cost of medicine, by solemnly proclaiming that they have now set up a monitoring body to ensure that medicine in Malta does not cost more than the average of other EU countries. And yet we all know that prices keep rising and that we either have to do without certain things we used to afford, or else dig deep in our savings to get what we need.
The Prime Minister repeats his messianic message that he wants us to share his vision of a Malta characterised by a sheen of excellence in IT, tourism, and other economic activities in 2015, but then ignores the fact that after 20 years of Nationalist administration we placed last in the educational achievement league of the EU. The neglect we have experienced in this sector over the past several years will be the most negative testimonial against the competence of this government.
The government machine is creaking from lack of maintenance, and the best thing that could happen to this country is that the electorate decommissions the machine and brings in a new one. No amount of tinkering and oiling at this late stage will deliver the engine we need to propel this country forward to exploit the opportunities provided by our membership in the EU and Euro land.
We have to be careful and understand what is not being said, as much as we listen to what is being said. The deterioration in the quality of public medical services, added to the prospects of ever increasing costs to run the Mater Dei Hospital, gives more than reasonable justification to enquire whether this government is really committed to guaranteeing a free medical service for everyone who needs to use it.
The lame commitments made by government ministers for a continuing free medical service sound too tame and unconvincing to erase the lingering doubts most of us justifiably have. Labour’s commitments on this issue are clear and unequivocal. The same commitment applies to the provision of the best quality of education at no cost to our families to all those who decide to use the public educational system.
These guarantees can be given because Labour’s plan to stimulate the economy to better growth will create the income needed to provide these services. We must not forget the economy. Without significant economic growth, no amount of good social plans can be implemented.
It is for this reason that one of Labour’s top priorities when in government will be to address those issues that are affecting our competitiveness, like the low educational achievement of our young people. We do not underestimate the difficult task we are going in for, but we have the willingness, ability and commitment to face this challenge and we will deliver the results for the welfare of our families.
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www.mangioncharles.com
Dr Mangion is deputy leader of the Opposition.