The outcome of the last general election is well known to everyone. The party in government enjoys a historical slim margin, less than half a quota, and a relative majority. This particular result, although legally legitimate and constitutionally correct, opens wide the debate whether half the country can deliberately afford to ignore the other half. It is a historical electoral result that demands prudence, wisdom to utilise the best elements available, respect towards other options and alternatives, besides other considerations.
Half of the electorate has confirmed its support towards the Labour Party, while the other half plus a few hundred votes showed confidence in Gonzipn. We never had such a narrow gap between government and opposition. We have never ever experienced such a weak government and such a strong opposition.
This is truly a historic moment. Our country is divided into two large electoral segments that are almost equal to each other. All the slogans of national unity that we have conveniently heard during the past hours are all null and void as they are not accompanied by tangible proposals and action to really include everyone. Rhetorical words and sugar coated statements, but no concrete action. Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
Those who now want us to believe that they are genuine about national unity are the same people who up to a few days ago were ridiculing, slaughtering and shooting down every single proposal from our side. They have led a terrible scaremongering campaign, scoffing major proposals in our electoral manifesto. They kept fiercely leading on a scary campaign regarding the reception class, overtime rates and the renegotiation of the EU treaty, etc. Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
During the past years there were individuals who claimed that have been ostracised simply because they are Labour Party supporters. Cases of individuals who claim that somehow they have been denied jobs and even promotions, simply, because they sympathise with the Labour Party. Discrimination in the public sector is felt and claimed by many. Others were isolated from public tendering, owing to their political credo. Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
During the past 20 years all our leaders had the same fate. They have been all ferociously ridiculed and demonised. Dom Mintoff, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfred Sant have been at the bull’s eye of the PN’s propaganda machine constantly and without mercy. Character assassination has been the basis of their constant attacks. The way Alfred Sant has been demonised, ridiculed and his character slaughtered mercilessly has reached abysmal levels. Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
Who is going to be the next President of the Republic? Rumour has it that we are in for some entertainment by a prominent pianist! Who are those who are going to occupy the boards of public authorities and public entities? Who are those who occupy key positions and top managerial posts in most ministries and departments? What about their political background?
And then Dr Gonzi has the cheek to talk about national unity! As if we live in a country where half the population is made up of superior intelligent beings and the rest are all cretins and idiots! Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
The impartiality of the national broadcasting station PBS leaves much to be desired. Journalists who have done their apprenticeship with hostile media to the Labour Party hop to the newsroom at Guardamangia and portray themselves as objective and unbiased journalists. What about current affairs programmes and discussion programmes farmed out? What about their balance? Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
The funding of thousands of glossy leaflets depicting artistic impressions of proposed government projects from public funds. During the last months, this printed material, with a high dosage of partisan propaganda, has flooded our letterboxes. All this literature financed through public funds was intended to take political advantage over the adversaries. Mind you, all this in the name of national unity. Dr Gonzi, are you kidding?
Mind you, all this is inspired by the noble principles of national unity and also derivative of the eminent Christian Democratic values. Definitely, we can’t tolerate this mentality of the winner takes it all, any longer. No one is going to make us feel like outcasts in our own country!
The notion that we live in a country where half the population is made up of superior intelligent beings and the rest are all cretins and idiots has to be eradicated. The Labour Party is a strong political force whose contribution is central to Maltese politics and cannot be ignored. There is no room for notions of national unity whenever it is convenient to the ruling party. Attempts to tame the opposition whenever it is convenient to the administration of the day and then tatter it completely during electoral campaign, is obscene and unacceptable. Stop being rhetorical and act now, Dr Gonzi!
The Nationalist Party managed to win by a whisker. We were not overcome. We have our dignity, respect and identity to preserve. Within our fold we have extremely talented persons whose contribution is an asset to the development of this country. Together we will walk tall.
Roderick Galdes is a Labour Member of Parliament