“And the winner is… Dr Lawrence Gonzi.” In a truly Oscars occasion, Dr Gonzi was declared winner of the 2008 general election and returned to office to lead the nation for the next legislature. This victory was a reward by the electorate to a person who fought against all odds during his first term of office, and especially during the last electoral campaign.

Backed by a team of strategists at the Stamperija, Dr Gonzi faced the electorate with honesty and determination. He took the difficult responsibility to combat the mudslinging campaign orchestrated by many adversaries. With a background of success achieved in many aspects of the local political scene, Dr Gonzi confronted the three political parties which did not spare an inch to downsize what was acquired by the Nationalist government throughout the years, before and after Malta’s entry in the European Union. Dr Gonzi’s first battle was against the three parties and he won it hands down.

Dr Gonzi showed his statesmanship as he defied all provocation and insults targeted on him and the Nationalist Party by the leaders of the Malta Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika and Azzjoni Nazzjonali, who seemed to have concerted their efforts to bring down the Nationalist Party from government.

And what about the significant amount of Jeremiahs who left no stone unturned to support the Labour Party to regain power after 10 years in opposition! People like Charlon Gouder, JG Vassallo, Gavin Gulia, Manwel Cuschieri, Silvio Debono, Wenzu Mintoff and a score of other politicians and opinion-makers should hide their heads in shame after yet another defeat for the Malta Labour Party. What are they going to say now? Their negative campaign did not serve any purpose and now they have to start from scratch against a truly formidable Nationalist government.

Dr Gonzi was always consistent in his defence of his team despite the ferocious attacks on their integrity and good governance. He was never afraid to face all his rivals with facts in his hands. At the end, Dr Gonzi triumphed over all this and with one good punch knocked one and all in such a perfect style that the three leaders of the main parties had no other road but to resign in shame.

All this shows that Dr Gonzi had the best strategy, the best manifesto and the best leadership. The electorate was satisfied with all this and decided to trust their faith in the Nationalist Party led by a formidable leader, Dr Gonzi.

Peter Borg

St Julian’s