Having no regrets means that you have no doubt that what you did was right, therefore, you do not feel sorry whatsoever for the outcome of your actions. Recently Alfred Sant declared that he does not have any regrets with regard to the last 16 years, which he has spent as MLP party leader.
Quite a strong statement, when one considers that the decisions taken during his time as Prime Minister meant a social burden for the whole society. The Malta Labour Party’s decisions during the Alfred Sant 22-month government were subsequently shot down by two general election results and a referendum result. Still Alfred Sant has no regrets.
The Malta Labour Party leader has no regrets for sending students to take bank loans, he has no regrets for introducing a tax on free medicines, he has no regrets for introducing CET, and he has no regrets for not accepting the referendum result.
Dr Alfred Sant has no regrets for telling the Labour supports that the “No” vote had won and encouraging them to take to the streets to celebrate. The lack of responsibility led both sets of supporters on the same streets with the risk of skirmishes that might have turned into violent riots. Still Alfred Sant has no regrets of generating such a state of alarm.
The MLP leader has no regrets for introducing a tax on necessities such as medicines. The tax that was introduced during his 22-month government created a further burden on people that are already laden due to their medical condition. Another unsocial act that Alfred Sant has no regrets for implementing.
This contrasts heavily with what occurred during the last four years. Not only the government led by Lawrence Gonzi reduced the tax bands, increased children’s allowance and introduced various schemes for the benefit of all social strata but he is also leading our country towards the biggest economic growth ever experienced in recent years.
The policies that have been implemented in the last four years show that Lawrence Gonzi has a vision for this country and for the people inhabiting this island. A vision of success that will generate prosperity for all.
The investment in education is a clear example of our vision for this country’s future. Everybody understands that the future of our country is in the hands of our younger generations. Therefore providing an education system that is open for all and giving due respect and encouragement to students is important. However, not everybody agrees with this.
The recent attacks launched by the MLP targeting the students are an example. It is not possible that the Labour Party lashes out in attacks on University students after Alfred Sant did not do well in a debate he had with other political leaders at the University.
The Labour camp has called the students cheap and vulgar. I participated in debates and when someone asks a question to the floor, he expects an answer. However, Alfred Sant did not agree with the students’ answers to his own questions.
The students at the debate reacted to the questions, which Alfred Sant was asking them about who was being hard headed; when the students said that he himself was being so.
When Sant asked if they wanted a change, the students replied by a strong no. These attacks continue along with the series of attacks, which the Labour Party is targeting at all those who do not agree with it.
These attacks are a continuation of the various name-calling slogans which have been used lately by the MLP to describe Nationalist Party sympathisers. For Malta Labour Party exponents if you sympathise with PN you are hamallu u iblah (cheap and stupid), snakes and fussy people and, yes, for Charles Mangion you have a weaker DNA.
If the difference in DNA means that the party you support throughout the years has brought success to this country and his leaders have led our country through historic milestones, well I am proud of my DNA.
The electoral programme that was published for this general election is filled with 353 valuable reasons to vote for Lawrence Gonzi to lead us in the coming five years.
At this moment in time, there is no other option. Only a vote to PN can guarantee a brighter future. This is no time for experiments with our democratic right, since a vote for any other party, including AD and AN, will result in a vote for Alfred Sant to become Prime Minister.
Would you regret that?
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP
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www.davidcasa.eu