Although the general election has not yet been officially announced, both political parties are already in election mode.

Even speeches delivered contain a tone indicative of being in election mode. Analysing both leaders’ speeches, it seems to me that the leader of GonziPN is using harsh and divisive words. It already gives a general idea of what the GonziPN campaign is going to be like as soon as the whistle is blown. Once again, GonziPN is opting for a negative campaign. Scaremongering is going to be the order of the day; it is already so, but it will be more vehement when the campaign kicks off officially.

The GonziPN message is ‘be afraid of the Labour Party’. Even the first billboard is a negative one and focuses on the Labour Party. It is about work and employment. Not even GonziPN believe their own words since they do not mention the 20,000 new jobs which they managed to create during these last four years. At best, during these last four years, the gainfully occupied increased by about 3,500. We should not only mention job creation, which of course is very important for economic growth and for families and individuals to earn a decent living. We should also focus on the working conditions and job satisfaction in general. From my experience, general working conditions have suffered a blow under the current administration and a bad example is being given by the government itself.

But the Labour Party, through its leader Joseph Muscat is shedding hope for a better future. Through hard work and a road map which will be announced soon, Labour is promising a better future and this country will move forward. The GonziPN clan knows pretty well that they did not deliver what was promised before the last general election. They know that we are worse off than we were almost five years ago. Families are struggling from week to week and day after day to make ends meet. GonziPN now has two problems. The first one is that they are not credible anymore and the second is that they do not know what they need to do to face up to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

As such, the only thing left for them is to try and discredit their political opponents. They are doing this on two grounds; on the one hand, by re-writing the history of when Labour was in government and taking things out of context and secondly, by telling people to be afraid of Labour and its people.

This, in itself, is a sign of how the GonziPN clan and allies regard those who have every right to disagree with them. This is a testament to the way in which the GonziPN clan has governed this country during these last four and a half years. It is a government for the few and for those of its inner circle. One has only to look at the political appointees and the game of musical chairs played by GonziPN from time to time. People do not change, they just change their role.

On the other hand, the Labour Party is an inclusive movement. During the last four years, Joseph Muscat at the fore front proposed a number of things which were always shot down, not because they were bad in the first place but only because they were coming from the Labour Party. Some months ago, the Labour Party spoke about more education, training and work and even this was criticised by GonziPN. Then, after this, we spoke about a fair society by focusing on one aspect, the importance to guarantee all persons with a disability a place of residence as soon as those taking care of them cannot do it anymore. Even this was initially criticised by GonziPN until they saw the positive reaction from society, especially those in the sector. After this, the ministry went mad and tried to invent some activities to try and counterbalance Labour’s proposals.

For the upcoming Congress which will be a first for all political parties here in Malta, the Labour Party is using the theme “a future that unites us”. For sure, a very positive message which contrasts heavily with that of GonziPN. I believe that most Maltese are fed up with divisive messages and want to look ahead for a better future for them and their families. The only political party that can guarantee this is the Labour Party and yes, Labour will work.