One of the things I still remember from my psychology lectures when I was a student at the university is that what a person perceives to be the truth is regarded as the truth, even if such is not the case, and this perception conditions human behaviour. The Nationalist Party media needs no lessons in psychology because, over the years, it has managed to put this concept into practice where Malta Labour Party leader Alfred Sant is concerned and, unfortunately, it has been rather successful in its efforts.

I often meet people whose only involvement in politics is voting, often reluctantly, in general elections every five years. Some of them do not even bother to vote at the local council elections every three years. These people have no political affiliations and might vote for one particular political party at one general election and for another at the next. In other words, they are perfect examples of "floating voters".

I find it incredible that many of these "floating voters" often tell me they have great respect for the MLP but that to be victorious at the next general election, the party has to get rid of Dr Sant! Having digested what I regard as a personal insult, I always ask them the reason for their assertion. Nine times out of 10, they reply that their opinion is just based on their perception of Dr Sant and nothing more! What they don't realise is that their perception of the Labour leader has been moulded by years of anti-Sant Nationalist propaganda.

This is not the first time the PN has used such tactics. In the 1920s and the beginning of the 1930s, the Nationalists did their utmost to destroy the public image of another great Maltese politician, Gerald Strickland. By June 1932 they had succeeded and it was Malta which paid the price for their success because the Nationalists made such a mess of governing the country that in November 1933 they were kicked out of power by the British!

This time around, the Nationalists have been partially successful because they have already defeated Dr Sant at two consecutive general elections. As in the past, it is Malta which has paid a heavy price for these Nationalist electoral victories. This is why it is high time the public is brought to realise that a gulf separates the perception of Dr Sant created by the Nationalist media and the real truth about this great leader.

Who, in reality, is Dr Sant?

Dr Sant is the person who, upon becoming Prime Minister, immediately issued a circular that no transfers were to be carried out in government departments and other state-controlled entities.

Dr Sant is the person who led a government that truly made no distinction between citizens on the basis of one's political opinion, a competent government untainted by any scandal of corruption or maladministration.

Dr Sant is the person who, rather than hang on to power out of selfish interests, called an early general election in September 1998 because the national interest so dictated.

Dr Sant is the person who has repeatedly been proved right about the repercussions of European Union membership but who immediately accepted the verdict of the people on this issue as all great democratic leaders would have done.

Dr Sant is the leader of the biggest political party in Malta which he has always led in an exemplary manner, always taking the road of legality and democracy and abhorring any resort to undemocratic measures.

Dr Sant is the leader who, as Prime Minister, will bring a breath of fresh air to Malta because he has always put the citizen first in all his plans for a better future for Malta and all the Maltese; yes, I repeat, all the Maltese.