Speaking to the World Economic Forum last January, UK Conservative Party leader David Cameron said that “real success comes when you set out a clear, long-term vision”. This is what we, the Nationalist Party, have set ourselves to do over recent months. Through our general councils and the innumerable discussions held with various social partners, the Nationalist Party is now proposing a strategy that will guide us through to 2015 and will make us a centre of excellence in various fields.

The prospects of excellence in the environment, in ICT and in the financial services sector, among others, excite us. I am conscious of the fact that this will mean hard work, once in government, but I also know that, if elected, I will be up for the challenge. With this in mind, however, I want to share some thoughts with you.

Seeing the progress that has been flourishing in our country, I feel let down – as I am sure you do – when I see that the other parties, notably the Labour Party, have not prepared themselves as should be due to our country and are now proposing just a word “change” with no substance whatsoever. I feel let down because I know that you deserve better.

Indeed, while the Nationalist Party is already making concrete forward-looking commitments to the electorate, such as the change in income tax bands that will have a positive effect on all sectors of society – and which is not an election gimmick because our country would not be ready for it, were it not for years of preparation under the Nationalist administration – Labour, on the other hand, under the guise of change, is confirming that it is too undecided to be a decisive force, were it to be in government.

Labour is not only too undecided but it has no concrete plans on matters of public accountability, taxation, social dialogue, education, energy and the self-employed. Their only vision is suggesting proposals that are already being implemented by the Nationalist Party. This is not the way anyone’s intelligence should be treated.

Let me take social dialogue as an example. At a recent business breakfast, I listened to how the MUT is voicing its concerns over Labour’s proposal for a reception class, especially in relation to the logistical expense such a proposal would entail. Their argument is simple: How can you expect more classes with fewer primary teachers graduating from university? Do you think that Labour has even thought about such concerns? All Labour has done so far is stick to its guns and repeat the proposal, without even having the decency to listen to and, more importantly, act upon what the social partner that is the most representative of the sector has to say. This is not the way social partners should be treated.

Investment in renewable energy is an important challenge that our country will face over the coming years, given the real threat of global warming. However, Labour has shown that it has no proposals for this area. In a speech in Senglea, Labour leader Alfred Sant has very vaguely, or lets say conveniently, proposed that a prospective Labour government would offer incentives for energy efficiency and the exploitation of Malta’s natural resources. Here the leader of the opposition is just showing us that he paid very little attention to the last budget presented by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in which he announced the target to reduce greenhouse gases by 1,300 tons per year and allocated e5.4 million in incentives for using alternative energy sources. So Labour is proposing no change at all, while the Nationalist Party is already setting the targets for success.

The entrepreneurship sector – a sector in which I have an active interest, having devoted my professional life to entrepreneurship education – is another area in which Labour has already failed to keep its promise to bring about change. During a walkabout in Hamrun, Dr Sant in fact proposed the setting up of a venture capital fund for business start-ups and the better upkeep of industrial zones. He is misinformed on this issue as well. Government set up a venture capital fund as far back as 2006, while it has voted more than e5 million for the improvement of industrial zones. Furthermore, the self-employed have already been given a boost through the income tax bracket adjustments, leaving them with more money to invest in their enterprise, thus creating more jobs. Here, once again, track record as opposed to vague promises will be your key thought when voting.

Labour is also already failing to show it has the credentials to apply the principles of good governance that are spoken of very fondly. Tuesday was, in fact, an interesting day in Maltese and British politics. While Labour in Malta just suggested that all Cabinet Ministers should sever their business ties, although falling short of suggesting how this will be done, David Cameron launched what is known as the Right to Know Form, which will be completed by all Conservative Party MPs. This form will contain a declaration of MPs income and expenses, the names and positions of members of staff and, where a relative is a member of staff, the total salary being declared. While being an interesting innovation worth exploring on the local scene, it goes to show that real politicians have real targets that they start to achieve from the very beginning – just as politicians like Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi did from day one when he became Prime Minister.

Change is a word that has “handle with care” written all over it.

One requires the right levels of energy and expertise to handle it. It has to be accompanied by a clear and long-term vision directed at informing the electorate and not by a myopic vision buttressed by populist arguments, vague suggestions and half-baked promises. Change or, even better, the attainment of a clear and long-term vision is something that only an energetic party such as the Nationalist Party can achieve.

Karl Gouder is a candidate for the Nationalist Party in the 9th and 10th districts