Embracing Labour's vision

Since the Nationalist Party was re-elected in 2003, opinion polls have consistently revealed that the Labour opposition always registered a comfortable lead in terms of popularity if a general election were to be held.

For the first time since the 2003 general election, a survey conducted by The Sunday Times in reaction to this year's budget unexpectedly revealed that Lawrence Gonzi's government is ahead of the Labour opposition in terms of voting intentions. This is also in consonance with the positive reactions expressed by the constituted bodies in response to this year's budget. All the constituted bodies underlined full confidence in our Prime Minister's coherent vision - this being reminiscent of EU referendum times, underscored by an outstanding electoral victory for the Nationalist Party.

On a completely separate note, Labour claims that the government's strategy is outdated and the MLP promises a new start underpinned by five key objectives. These objectives were cited in a recent contribution in this newspaper by none other than one of the best political assets within Labour's ranks, for whom I have a lot of respect.

According to deputy leader Charles Mangion, the electorate's hope of a prosperous future lies in a strategy designed to address five key issues: inflation control, reducing taxation, sustaining health services, securing investment and promoting the best standards of education.

Once elected, Labour is pledging a new beginning that is set to address inflation - which brings me to ask whether Labour is aware that inflation control is one of the prerogatives of this government as evidenced by the fact that Malta is on the path of adopting the euro on January 1, 2008, and where inflation is the hinging issue, a position which now seems to be welcomed by the Leader of the Opposition. Or is Labour still considering devaluation of the lira as being the optimal way forward to address inflation? If this is the case, would this imply that oil prices will cost the country 10 per cent more?

Labour is pledging a new beginning supported by a reduction in excessive taxation. Does this signify that Labour will not charge VAT on the surcharge, as suggested by its own leader? Why abolish VAT on the surcharge if there is no VAT on the surcharge of consumers while businesses can actually claim it back?

Labour is also pledging a new beginning secured by the best health services. Why is Labour claiming that our health services are declining when it is officially documented that Malta's health system remains the most generous among the EU countries according to official EU statistics.

Labour aims to secure a new beginning underlined by flourishing foreign investment. Why is Labour arguing that Malta deserves a new beginning when foreign investment in the first half of this year stands at an absolute record equivalent of Lm311 million when the Labour administration only secured Lm31 million in a whole year during 1997? Why is Labour calling for a new strategy when the gainfully occupied stand at a record high, with 6,156 new jobs being created in one year, despite jobs in the public sector following declining trends. Would a Labour government guarantee sufficient investment when it is officially documented that Labour had stated that Malta would only be netting Lm1.5 million from the EU while Dr Gonzi would be securing the equivalent of €800 million in EU structural funds?

Labour is set to achieve high standards in education through a new beginning. Are our standards of education really declining when our per capita recurrent expenditure on education has reached the annual equivalent of Lm1,332 - money that is derived from taxpayer's money to sustain compulsory education in our state schools? Do we deserve an alternative government to implement a new vision in education when the number of Maltese opting to further their studies at tertiary level is at its highest level ever, registering an increase of 15 per cent in the last six years (compared to an average EU increase of two per cent), corresponding to a staggering 65 per cent, compared to 40 per cent six years ago? Is it sheer coincidence that Malta now places third in e-government and second in the provision of such services while it ranked in the 16th place until a few years ago? Are our standards declining when adult education ranks 53 per cent, compared to the EU average which stands at 42 per cent?

It would be wrong to dismiss Dr Mangion's vision in addressing the country's pressing needs in the ride of global change. It would be equally wrong, and very dangerous at the same time, to rely on survey results and believe that a PN victory is a foregone conclusion.

It is only that Labour's pledges are already being pursued by Dr Gonzi's government and results are there to be seen. It is therefore only appropriate to embrace Labour's vision.

An architect by profession, Mr Musumeci is mayor of Siggiewi and a PN candidate for the sixth and seventh electoral districts.

rmperiti@onvol.net