It does not need to exist in Malta, but politically it is there.

I believe that in this, my last article in The Malta Independent prior to the next general elections, I must address this situation.

It is unfortunate that instead of having a mix of effective policies and projects from both main political parties, which would guarantee a better future for the country, we are faced with a Prime Minister who is forward looking, precise and clinical in his ideas and an Opposition Leader who, even at this late stage of the electoral campaign, persists in remaining on cloud nine. Dr Lawrence Gonzi is known to be realistic, does not mince words and neither does he sound any retreats on any of his proposals; the vision and strategy are the result of serious planning. On the other hand, Dr Alfred Sant tends to change his views according to the audience he faces in a simple vote catching exercise.

During the past four weeks, Dr Gonzi, in more ways than one, has put forward his ideas, the party’s manifesto and the concrete measures he means to take to assure the country of a future, which will definitely mean financial stability and sustainability, economic success as well as achieving excellence in various sectors. The country has the potential of becoming state of the art. The goals for 2015 are very much in the Nationalist Party’s prospectus. The PN campaign has focused on education, the environment, finances and this week on work. In all the four sectors what is being envisaged and proposed is attainable. Of course, we have to work – and indeed hard – without wasting any time since the competition, from all sides, is not only intense but also well planned.

As regards strategy, we do not have to envy anybody. We have experts who are capable of doing a good job, a workforce that is not afraid of challenges and, more importantly, we have a Prime Minister who believes in the people, their potential and capabilities. Added to these, there are local funds emanating from the steep rise in economic enterprise as well as monies which we have qualified for at EU level. All in all, between 2007 and 2013, Malta and Gozo will benefit in excess of e855 million. This is a far cry from what Dr Sant had dared to propose in 2003.

At government level, Dr Gonzi is supported by a cabinet of ministers and parliamentary secretaries who have proved themselves. Yes, there have been hurdles here and there, but these have been overcome since we work as a team and this without exception. Then there is the party machine, all the people at Pietà and in the various towns and villages. All these, from Joe Saliba, the party general secretary, to the latest addition to the regiment of volunteers, converge to form a team that is beyond reproach. They form a dynamic team that is out to build upon what is positive rather than reminisce over the negative past, as the Labour Party does.

On the other hand, on the other side, if there is another one, which I very much doubt, there is a party which unfortunately lacks in concrete ideas. A party that is very much anchored to the past and save for their expertise in mud-slinging at each and every component of the Gonzi government, there is little else to say about them. According to the Opposition Leader’s vision, mud-slinging could lead him and his party to electoral victory. If there were an Oscar to be won, I have no doubt that the Malta Labour Party would have definitely run away with the Mud-Slinger Oscar for the year.

In between the mud-slinging, during his tirades, Dr Sant has proposed, among other things:

• The introduction of a ‘repeater class’ for six-year-olds at government schools; since last Monday Dr Sant decided to exempt private-school students from this punishment, which has received the thumbs down from practically everyone across the board.

• The payment of overtime for employees at par rate rather than time and a half, already implemented by the Malta Labour Party as employer of staff at Super One. It is said that the relative employees were coerced into agreeing to this policy by threats of redundancy.

• The reopening of discussions with the EU regarding our accession treaty. There seems to be a greater chance of finding an ice cream in hell rather than this happening.

• The closing of the Gozo incinerator; something which has already been done.

• The granting of the 14th week of paid leave to mothers who give birth. This too is already there, having been one of the measures envisaged in Budget 2008.

• The closing down of Maghtab... but has this not yet been done already?

• A government for Labourites only. This would simply widen the divide.

To top it all, anything that he does not like or does not agree with is tantamount to the minister involved being incompetent or corrupt.

This is Malta eight days before the general elections. It is now up to the people to vote. They can choose between prolonging the divide and voting Labour and voting for a second Gonzi-led government which promises had work, full commitment, and determination.

The slogan chosen by the Nationalist Party, led by Dr Lawrence Gonzi, reads “Yes, together everything is possible.” I really believe it.

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