With the election campaign in full swing, you could be forgiven for thinking that, by now, voters have made their choices. But then again, maybe not! During my frequent house visits I am coming across voters who are not only still undecided but also seem confused as to how to start tackling this crucial decision.
Admittedly the parties’ election manifestos go a long way towards the crystallization of a choice but in my experience with voters, they are more concerned with the bigger picture and may be reluctant to analyse the finer detail of these documents. So what makes the voter tick, and how can a political party expect to earn trust from a reluctant or unbiased voter?
As a nation, we aspire towards the common good and the prosperity of our fellow citizens and it is with great joy and pride that we bathe in the success we have achieved both locally and on the international scene. Islanders we may be, but to our credit we have carved a name for ourselves in Europe and beyond in so many fields – be it medicine, research or finance. We may not always have had a smooth ride since Independence, but all in all we have not only survived but we have managed to exploit what little we have to provide a better life for our families.
The Nationalist party, which has always been the catalyst for change, has seen us progress and the party’s track record is impressive. A quick glance at the projects completed and the initiatives launched during this past legislature confirms the government’s commitment towards achieving further success in a multitude of sectors – all aimed at improving the quality of life of our families. Admittedly, this has not been the easiest of legislatures and is one that will go down in history for its unique set of international, local and internal challenges.
Yet despite all this, the government has delivered – and, I might add, has delivered supremely well! With the Nationalist party, no hollow promises or pledges are necessary, since what you see is what you get, WYSIWYG! Beyond the campaign slogans we have proved, without a shadow of a doubt, that your well being, be it in the work, health or education area, has been and will always remain our number one concern. This is what we are all about! Voting us back into government is simply your way of saying that you appreciate our new schools and hospitals and the creation of jobs, and that you would like to give your endorsement to the continuation of this sterling work.
The Labour party, on the other hand, has been in Opposition since 1998 – a relatively long time and, of course, one appreciates that it has not been in a position to deliver. However, one can get a track record from the time Labour was in government between 1996 and 1998 and the proposals that it has put forward since 1998. The last Labour legislature was characterised by an increased deficit, increased unemployment, a reduction in the numbers of self-employed, a demand for student stipends to be converted into loans and a freezing of our application for EU membership. Since then, Labour has driven a frenzied campaign to rejuvenate its image and is nowadays trying to look more Nationalist than us! Marketing ploys apart, Labour has had years on end to come up with sound proposals for the continued prosperity of our islands but has been happy to sit back and enjoy the show of seeing the Nationalists being bombarded with all types of problems. When crunch time hit, the Labour party desperately swung towards the only proposal it hoped would gather public support – the energy proposal! This topic will, I believe, endure until the end of this campaign and both parties will be further explaining their plans, with Labour going for a new power station with gas tanks and the Nationalists opting for a gas pipeline from Sicily. When all is said and done – and voters have resurfaced from trying to understand the technical jargon that is being bandied about – the decisive question still remains: which is the best party with a proven track record to provide a stable future for our families? Your answer should direct you to your choice of government.
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The writer is a PN Candidate for the general election on the IV and VI districts