What we are seeing happening within the Labour Party is nothing but an unprecedented crisis. In any other developed European country, the current situation would have driven government to take serious action or to even call for a snap election. No wonder the Maltese have decided to show their disdain in the very well attended protests organised by the Nationalist Party in Valletta in the past two weeks.

Clayton Bartolo's resignation and dismissal from the Labour party was only the tip of a compromised iceberg which is growing unstable in the increasingly stormy waters that it has created itself.

A once-powerful political force has been reduced to a threatened, small platoon of defenders trying their best to save face and hold control. What was once a strong movement is now a secluded and deluded collection of diehards and extremists attempting all the tricks to survive.

This became most evident when the Prime Minister chose to split the ministry vacated by Clayton Bartolo among three sitting ministers he trusts, rather than take the opportunity to promote a backbencher, or even perform a Cabinet reshuffle.

The Prime Minister had a deep backbench to choose from, some with previous Cabinet experience, some others brand new faces that could have added new energy to the system. Yet, apparently, he trusts no one enough to bring them close or into his inner circle. Sometimes the missed action speaks louder than the one that actually takes place.

Meanwhile, Clint Camilleri remains defiant, standing, thanks to a combination of political convenience and stone-cold arrogance. The writing is on the wall, yet the Prime Minister lacks the political stature to make the right choices. He is prisoner in his own castle, held hostage to a situation that has spiralled out of control and proportion.

Certainly, this is no reason to rejoice, and no one should be rubbing their hands in satisfaction for the Labour Party's state of desperation.

Till the next general election, the Labour Party is the party in power, and that means that as long as it remains in this disastrous state, our government will continue to fail to deliver on the important issues.

Government will continue to fall short of providing the right vision, and energy which is so much needed for the country. We have said this time and time again. The country is running on political fumes. Government does not have the political fuel to inspire and excite. It is running on the successes of the past, wringing them as far and hard as it possibly can, unable to come up with anything new.

This is clearly reflected in its economic policy, its policy for migration, its policy for education, transport, health, social security and national security. The cracks are wide open for all to see, and they are getting wider by the day.

Ultimately this sorry situation results in untold hardships for our families who have been forced to take two even three jobs to make ends meet. This is far from what our families deserve.

Of course, this burdens us on this side of the aisle with an immense responsibility, one which we are ready to shoulder. Sadly, Labour is incapable of rising to the occasion, so it is up to us in the Nationalist Party to map out the future of our country.

The closer we get to a general election, the closer we get to one of the most significant appointments with history of our lifetimes. We must turn a new page and give this country the chance to achieve its potential. Our young have been robbed of their future for long enough. Malta needs the right injection of optimism, and good will to grow and thrive.

Dr Darren Carabott is the Opposition's Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Reforms, and President of the Public Accounts Committee.