As the New Year kicks in, I can safely predict that the level of rhetoric will not only rise but that there will also be a deterioration in the way that the political game is played and fought, in spite of genuine attempts by a few politicians to break the mould.

On a positive note one cannot but welcome the statesmanlike approach that Joseph Muscat adopted during his short but meaningful address on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Karen Grech’s murder – when she lost her life at the hands of merciless, anonymous killers at the tender age of 15.

Rather than preaching to the converted and indulging in a partisan, political speech, he branded both Karen Grech and Raymond Caruana as victims of intolerance. While auguring that such times and incidents will never occur again, he also boldly made it clear that one need not shed blood in order to turn an ordinary citizen into a victim of intolerance. This can be done in the subtlest of ways, while patting someone on the back, in true Et Tu Brutus manner – as many, particularly of Labour orientation have found out at their expense in recent years.

Even worse, the circle of power mongers has grown so more powerful and so smaller at the same time, that even a number of well meaning Nationalists who are not privy to the dictates of the PN-led power machine are feeling marginalised and sidelined by the party that they might have traditionally voted for in the not too distant past – either out of tradition, conviction or else because until then they did not find the Labour alternative or leadership worthy of their confidence.

When recently commenting about the Obama presidency, a London Times correspondent drew a fine parallel between the relentless prose of government compared with what he termed as the poetry of the election campaign.

If proof is ever needed of such an ever widening divide, one only has to re-read the address by Dr Edward Fenech Adami, then President of Malta, delivered on the occasion of the opening of the Eleventh Parliament on Saturday 10 May, 2008.

To be fair, presidential speeches on such occasions do not necessarily reflect a President’s personal views since they are meant to convey the policy guidelines of the government of the day.

But upon reflection although less than two years have passed since this address was made, one can easily tell how far we have regressed from all that government had committed itself to during the last election campaign.

Just to quote a few glaring examples:

“It is the government’s declared intent to work together with civil society towards the betterment of the common good”

“The government’s plans and actions are to be underpinned by the notion of sustainable development of the economy, of society and of the environment. When making decisions today, serious consideration will be given to the generations of tomorrow.”

“The aim is to shift the current deficit into surplus by 2010 (this year!) – an ambitious aim in the light of the international economic situation, but one that the government firmly believes can be realised.”

“Public expenditure will continue to be restricted without compromising social services, healthcare and education.”

At a time when the family is under great stress we were promised that “This government believes that the family has a crucial role to play and that those who work to build families are owed a great debt by society as a whole.”

“The government will continue to subsidise water and electricity for those households most in need.”

“The government will monitor the prices of essential commodities like basic foods and medicines.”

“Government will develop programmes for the employment of the disabled so that they may participate actively in society.”

“It will ratify the UN Convention on the rights of the disabled.”

“Government will continue providing quality health care at no charge.”

“Government will broaden the range and scope of the pharmacy of your choice programme.”

“Government will introduce

price controls on medicines.”

“Over the next five years (i.e. as from 2008) the government will focus on environmental concerns and issues which have become matters of national importance.”

“Working with civil society, government will endeavour to provoke the growth of a civic conscience that seeks to minimise environmental damage in ALL areas...”

“There will be increased effort at the improvement of air and water quality, the cleanliness of ours seas, waste management, and the protection of people from the hazards, pollution and nuisance of construction.”

“Mepa will be reformed with an eye to greater efficiency and transparency and with commitment to ensuring that there is consistency in its decisions and enforcement.”

Now wait for the cherry or rather cherries on the cake:

“It is a given that the principles of good governance must be adhered to in the running of this country... this government will build on a reputation for clarity in procedures and for transparency in operation, and will carry on with the process of widespread consultation.”

“This will be one government for all the people”

“Our goals are rooted in sustainable development in all areas”

“The government invites everybody to join in a sustainable development pact...”

“To get there we must do away with resentment and division, and work together to achieve the common end of the common good...”

I am sure that almost two years into the not so new government this provides enough fodder for what can best be described as political indigestion.

With all these monumental failures being already experienced by one and all, one may safely expect the intensive campaign to rubbish the PL leader to intensify in the coming months. Some might dismiss him as too young and inexperienced, others might claim that there is no joy ride ahead and that the PL must be loony to aspire to govern in these difficult times; the slyer PN leaning critics will argue that there is little to distinguish the two parties now that we are in the EU – almost as if political and economic management did not matter at all – thus implying that we should stick to the maxim of better the devil we know etc...

Meanwhile the demonisation campaigns will not limit themselves to the PL leader. We recently had a blogger close to RCC who admitted that a war is being waged against the MEPA auditor and that the same person has no qualms about that...

Now is the time to come to grips with the whole issue of the powers of incumbency before it will be too late in the day.

It may be a tall order, but if anyone thinks the PN will give in, the more the general elections fast approach, then one must be living in cuckoo land!

One equally hopes that the forthcoming PL AGM will also pave the wave for the further modernisation of the party structures to ensure that if the PL manages to win the forthcoming elections it will do so on its own merits and not by default!

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www.leobrincat.com

Leo Brincat is the Main Opposition Spokesperson for the Environment, Sustainable Development & Climate Change