As an independent commentator on the Maltese scene, I am not in the business of scoring political points or wearing my political views on my sleeve. My task is to provide informed and constructive criticism and commentary, and to cajole and – if necessary – to hassle those who have the power to make decisions affecting our lives. The objective is to influence people’s views and opinions as responsibly and constructively as possible, never making political distinctions and never having a political axe to grind.

I write this by way of a preamble because I know I am now entering the minefield of Maltese politics. I also know, therefore, that apologists on both sides of the political divide – with their inevitably jaundiced views – will find my comments and criticisms unwelcome. Let me also say that, politically, my heart beats on the left. In British politics, I am what is known as a “One Nation” Tory. This makes it easy for me to comment on Maltese politics since both the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party broadly espouse the same social democratic values and policies. I am therefore comfortable with both.

This brings me to the current state of play of Maltese politics. In a word, it is shambolic. The governing Nationalist Party resembles a circular firing squad with many of its members, including elected Members, shooting indiscriminately at each other. The beleaguered Prime Minister stands bravely in the middle, rather like Saint Sebastian, suffering all the slings and arrows. Over the last 12 months, the deep-seated antagonisms, personal ambitions and political disagreements within the party, which has been in power for a virtually unbroken 25 years, have been glaringly exposed to view. One man’s personal, thwarted ambitions have caused an implosion, leading to the loss of one Cabinet minister, one government Member of Parliament now sitting as an independent – thus effectively removing the government's majority – and at least two Members threatening to vote with the Opposition.

The electorate does not like to be governed by a disunited party. Parties that are not united rarely win elections. This is reflected in the current polls, which show a commanding lead for the Opposition Labour Party. It is this disunity, compounded by huge dissatisfaction with the issues that most affect people directly, that has led to meltdown for the Nationalist Party. The escalating cost of living, the cack-handed manner in which higher water and electricity rates were introduced and their impact on household budgets, and the worries about jobs are the three most pressing concerns for the man in the street.

But there is also an underlying wish for change. There is a sense – rightly or wrongly – that this government has been around for too long. There is a certain perception of arrogance and distance from ordinary members of society. This was exemplified by the way ministers secretly gave themselves a whacking great pay rise when they took power in 2008 virtually at the same time as increasing utility rates. The growing gap in society between the sizeable minority of “haves” who are clearly better off (those who appear to have access to the seats of power), and the majority of “have-nots” (the squeezed middle class, pensioners and the growing number living below the poverty line) has added to this perception.

Let us be clear, however, that these are unscientific perceptions, just a feeling of what is happening. And some would argue that they are unfair, because they overlook the great good done by this government over the last four years. The country has done remarkably well economically. The huge injection of EU money into the economy – the roads and other infrastructure projects – the success of our tourist trade (thanks fortuitously to the problems in North Africa, the Middle East, Greece and Cyprus), the continuing success of our financial services industry, have all contributed to a thriving economy and one of the best employment records in Europe.

Why then is the Labour Party apparently heading for a sweeping victory at the next (soon to be held) general election? The Party leader has justifiably been accused of having no policies and is instead content to ride in on a wave (a tsunami?) of disaffection with the Nationalist Party, prompted by disunity, a strong wish for a change, and dissatisfaction with the bread and butter issues (jobs, cost of living, energy bills). Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat seems to think it is enough just to seek to trip up his opponents and wait for the Nationalist Party to tear itself apart internally, without presenting any alternative policies to the people. As a consequence, the “debate” so far has been depressingly marked simply by politicians lobbing partisan insults at each other.

The Labour Party's consistent evasion of a set of published policies – a programme – on which it will govern if elected is unhealthy and a betrayal of our democratic values. It may play well with tribal loyalists, but the great chunk of uncommitted voters who will decide the next election – of which I am one – find it disconcerting. The Labour Party may feel it is happily sleep-walking to victory at the next election. If it doesn’t move or make any sound that could be interpreted as policy, then it might cross the finishing line first without anybody noticing. It gives the impression of lacking ambition, being all things to all men, and hoping to sweep to victory while the government tears itself apart.

But the risk of Malta voting for a dud if the electorate allows it to get away with not declaring tangible policies is immense. It would be misleading to dignify what has so far been announced – for example, votes for 16-year olds – by the Opposition Leader as a coherent set of policies for government. They are not. What if the long-expected euro-crisis does happen? What if the economy slips into recession as the EU economy continues to turn down? What credible long-term plan does Labour have to bring down the deficit to meet the EU Fiscal Pact’s criteria? How does it intend to reduce Malta’s debt mountain? These are the big issues on which a Party’s competence to govern should be judged and on which the Labour Party is still silent. The economic crisis has dislodged governments across Europe. Is Labour ready to govern?

That is the question. The poor, benighted electorate is faced with a depressing choice between, on the one hand, a Nationalist government of experience and a few isolated pockets of competence, but which seems to have lost its way and needs a period in opposition to re-energise itself; and, on the other, a Labour Party which seems bereft of any policies and programme of work to make the very many improvements to the quality of life for which the citizens of this country are looking. To say that the Labour programme will be revealed when the election is called is to duck the issue. If the Opposition had the courage of its convictions it would reveal its policies – with confidence and pride – now.