In 22 days time it will be the day of reckoning. The Maltese people will have 15 hours to decide between what is virtual and what is to be reality. It will no longer be the day of the surveys but it will be the time to vote. That day, 8 March, we have the duty to decide the future of the nation. There are those who have already made up their mind; however it seems that a substantial number of voters are still weighing the pros and cons before marking their preferences on the ballot paper next to the candidates marked in blue or those printed in another colour.

We do have a choice. We can either go for a party which is known to be able to govern – notwithstanding some errors here and there – or else we can strut into unchartered perilous territory. The choice is between a second Gonzi government or another Sant adventure.

Of course one could hand in a vote for the smaller parties but, in my opinion, in so doing under the present circumstances, such voter is showing his or her inability to choose between the two main streams in Maltese politics.

The Nationalist Party, is presenting a tough but doable agenda which holds as its main asset the capabilities and potential of the Maltese nation. We believe in each and every Maltese person. We believe that each one can contribute positively towards reaping in success for the nation, for our families and for the common good of our economy. We understand that not everyone can contribute to the same extent or on the same level, but then we accept that and have taken it into consideration. We believe that we can together make things happen and that if we do work as one, everything is possible. We can really and truly excel.

Then there is the other party. It tends to make much more noise but then the proverb goes that empty vessels make more sound. Unfortunately the present opposition party is not really making any headway in presenting the people with a viable alternative in administration or policy. Now to make things worse for them; some of the statements being made by their leader and his deputies are falling far short of expectations and being also anxiously viewed as alarming.

Dr Sant is back to criticising individuals. He tends to criticise mostly those ministers which he envies most. Now he is making presenting policies and featuring projects that have already been delivered. He wishes to re-open discussions with the European Union. He claims to have it up his sleeve to have a go at the men in Brussels and come out the winner with changes which “could make all the difference”. Even if this were so – what differences does he think he can achieve? Does he wish to fulfil his “promise” that we will only get Lm1.5 million from the European coffers instead of the e855 million which we are already spending in our efforts to make the grade? He simply seems to refuse to face reality: the deal was signed in 2003, approved by the country and there’s no going back on it.

Dr Sant has not realised that the days of proposing the extravagant are over. Perhaps his financial gurus have not yet told him that there is no space for devaluation any more. There can be no more cover-ups in our fiscal economic policies. Now we either make it or we fail. Any thought that we can go for a devaluation is not for real anymore. The cards are no longer on the table for his picking. If elected to government he has to find the means to make this economy move forward. The only snag is that probably this would be in the form of enacting new tax laws or even worse cut back on social services and pensions, taxing the health service or levy bounty on anything that the people cannot do without. His shadow finance minister seems to think that these are the solutions.

To outweigh what Labour is proposing – there is another pair of hands ready to take the rudder of the nation. Dr Gonzi is a realist and has important things to tell the country. He accepts that it has not been a smooth ride and that there are still obstacles to be surmounted along the way to reaching his proposed goals for 2015.

First of all tax bands will be amended so that people will be invited and enticed to work more, earn more and at the same time pay a lesser tax rate than at present. The last two budgets have already done away with substantial amounts of tax – but more can be achieved in this regards.

Each mother returning to work after having children shall benefit for one year’s tax free income without limitations.

We are going to invest more in education on all fronts be it at primary, secondary or tertiary level. For sure, we are not having our six-year-olds repeating a year. Our children are no losers but are there ready to take up the challenge of a holistic education system from the first formative seasons at school. We are going for excellence. We shall address all the problems which will inevitably turn up in this sector. After all our children hold the key to the nation’s future economic success.

Then we are to do our utmost to be even more competitive and less bureaucratic than we are today.

We shall be addressing environmental matters with greater efficiency. There is so much to do here that the next government could very well see a minister solely for environment with a parliamentary secretary also involved within its set up.

We shall continue to address the question of employment – and in the Prime Minister’s very words – as long as there is one person out of a job and really looking for work, there will be no respite. We still have a challenge ahead in this regard.

The government’s vigilance to curtail the rise in the cost of living, even if this is due to price increases from beyond our shores, will be sustained and if the need arises, shall be increased.

MEPA is a primary challenge. Many are passionately for and against it as well as its terms of reference and its implications on the infrastructure of the nation and our environment. The PM has pledged that he will personally handle the matter as he intends to hold on to this ministry himself.

Changes in the present Cabinet will also happen. It is a natural consequence and new blood will definitely be injected.

All these proposals strive to better the positive present situation. We want to go one step better. We want to do well. We need to become more professional in our approach. We are not prepared to revert to the past and expect manna from the heavens. We shall intensify every effort to make the necessary mileage and reap the desired harvests.

This is all possible – and under a future, the next, Gonzi administration – this can be achieved.

Tony Abela is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister