Mirror mirror on the wall...

Incredible but true someone, somewhere still believes that Alfred Sant is God's gift to the Malta Labour Party and to Malta to boot! In his defence the author does admit that "what a person perceives to be the truth is regarded as truth, even if such is not the case, and this perception conditions human behaviour". How true is that!

This individual confesses that he meets many "floating voters" who often tell him "they have great respect for the MLP but to be victorious at the next general election, the (Labour) party has to get rid of Dr Sant!" At least, I am not the only mortal who is morally convinced that Dr Sant, intelligent as he may be, is definitely not cut out for politics.

It is all well and good to write that Dr Sant prefers not to "hang on to power out of selfish interests" and that he "led in an exemplary manner, always taking the road of legality and democracy and abhorring any resort to undemocratic measures".

But, excuse me, that is exactly what a Prime Minister leading a democratic country is meant to do! So what's the big deal? Could it be that the author was subconsciously comparing Dr Sant to his predecessors? Is Labour's conversion to non-violence something to boast about? Really, what are some people going on about?

Dr Sant has been anything but a plus for Malta. For the record and truth's sake, may I remind all and sundry that it was Dr Sant who withdrew our application to join the European Union. It was Dr Sant who yodelled Switzerland in the Mediterranean and then hollered Partnership. It was Dr Sant who refused to accept the yes vote of the referendum. It was Dr Sant who removed VAT solo. It was Dr Sant who "lost his social soul", increasing utility bills to astronomical levels.

It was Dr Sant who suggested postponing the closure of Maghtab and Kortin. It was Dr Sant who proposed to increase the number of recycling plants from one to four without, of course, identifying their location. It was Dr Sant who proposed to devaluate the Maltese lira by 10 per cent. It was Dr Sant who, in version one of Labour's social and economic plan, proposed that our yearly bonuses be slashed to zilch; the time in lieu be the order of the day; students to pay back stipends; our doors to be taxed as would be every additional property we own. It was Dr Sant who performed the greatest U-turn in history and has only now opted to join the government to ratify the Constitution of the European Union.

Dr Sant has been a busy little man struggling against the current and, yet, when it comes to playing tango and/or taking a firm stand from the opposition benches, he fails miserably.

He has unfortunately not found enough time, in the national interest, to tell us his position on abortion and divorce, on Gozo's regional status, on education, on privatisation etc.

He has also refused to participate in government commissions and committees. Even when challenged, he has repeatedly refused to take up the gauntlet and call for a Public Accounts Committee investigation.

He has also directed his team to walk out of Parliament and to abstain from voting in favour of initiatives benefiting fishermen and dockyard workers.

He has deprived students, volunteers, the sick and the religious their right to vote... but much more of that soon. So much to say, so little space to say it in!