The appalling results obtained in the last local council elections should and must serve as a final warning to the Nationalist Party. This is the last chance for it to change course and start heeding the people’s outcry against the party and the way it is dealing with problems that are hitting each and every citizen.
When one considers that it lost more than 11,000 votes, more than 40 % did not even vote, it lost three of its previously run councils and only managed to regain one through cross party voting in Mosta, the party’s hierarchy should sit down and start pulling up its sleeves to see that not only do they listen to the people who usually vote Nationalist but actually deliver what is needed to regain popularity. It was clearly a protest vote against the party and not in favour of the opponents.
On last weekend’s results, the party would have suffered a devastating defeat in a general election. This because the difference between both parties would have meant something like 20 thousand votes, or five or six quotas. The people are literally fed up hearing the party officials saying that they need to listen to people’s urgent needs. We heard it before but it’s useless listening if they are not going to act immediately to deliver to each and every plea.
The party should instruct each and every candidate to go to the grass roots and show their mettle in seeking to see that localities have good and clean roads, efficient infrastructure, customer care offices that really take care of voters in all aspects. It is very insulting to see candidates roaming the streets on the eve of a particular election only for them to vanish the day after the poll. The same goes to the street scavenger. The party has lost heavily and the writing is on the wall. The party seems tired of governing and is leaving the country to the dogs. By contrast, the Labour Party is utilising this time to gain momentum. Its sweet talk is vastly appealing to the electorate and its success could be easily seen in the latest results. Slowly but surely they are making inroads even in areas which are typically Nationalist strongholds. The Nationalist party should wake up from its slumber, pull up its socks and return to the years when it pulled the crowds and won one election after the other. It is never too late but it has to be a serious strategy that leads to the people regaining lost confidence. Those who are tired should make way for energetic and trustworthy people. The Nationalist media should make good use of valuable time to remind its followers of the great achievements it has made. On the national scene, the government has worked wonders but is very lacking in most towns and villages.
There is no other election before the national one so the party should take it as final warning. Before it is too late!
George Calleja
St Julian’s