Dreams do come true

A recent leader in The Times claimed that: "It has very much become a presidential election with personality politics given more weight than policies and rhetoric and packaging getting more attention than principles and foresight."

Taking the cue, the Leader of the Opposition, in his weekly Wednesday column, then wrote: "They (projects) were then packaged as part of a long-term 'vision' for future development, since voters - it has been said - invariably fall for the vision thing".

Excuse me! The electorate does not "fall" for anything, especially not for his unfounded allegations that "initial ideas started off apparently on an impulse or to accommodate the wish of the friends of friends of the administration".

And what does an aspiring Prime Minister mean exactly when he writes "the vision thing"? Why does he jest this way?

Dr Sant also wrote that the PN "has frequently succeeded in enticing people to set aside their present discomforts and opt for a dream in the future".

Yes, the PN dreamt of gaining Malta's Independence, of joining the EU, of strengthening our economy, of offering state-of-the-art health and education services, of joining the eurozone, of transforming a derelict area into a SmartCity project...and it succeeded in making its dreams come true!

The PN has written a wonderful part of Malta's recent history. The milestones are there, imprinted for all to witness.

These achievements were not reached using "mirror ploys". The fruit our country is reaping today speaks for itself and no amount of "trickery" could enhance such an optimum performance.

The Nationalist Party never wavered in its determination to uphold its values and execute its policies. It has invariably called a spade a spade and, for the common good, it takes and adheres to its decisions no matter how uncomfortable they are.

Investing heavily in the infrastructure, it created a suitable ambiance for foreign investment and enacted the appropriate legislation to safeguard equal opportunities to all.

It took concrete measures to create an all-inclusive society, to raise standards of living and empower the individual. It invested heavily in education, in the environment and in the high-tech health services. It placed the economy on sound footing and it succeeded in reaching the eligible level set by the EU to join the eurozone. Above all, it has created employment.

It is now dead set on transforming Malta into an unrivalled international financial, technological and health services centre. This is not a "dream", it is not a "mirage", it is not a "mirror ploy", it is foresight at its best. It is an ambition which will undoubtedly materialise once the Nationalist Party is re-elected to govern.

All the above it is not rhetoric; it is the PN's blueprint. Slogans and policies adopted by the PN have actually underlined the party's principles and portrayed its foresight, or as Dr Sant would say, the vision thing.

I will repeat it for the umpteenth time: The Nationalist Party has always had a spot-on vision to lead this country in the right direction.

It is proud of its past and present achievements. It is proud of its past and present leaders. It is proud of its policies and the sterling service it has given this country. It is proud of its "vision thing".

Whatever task the Nationalist government has set its mind to carry out, it has executed. Contrary to what Dr Sant suggests, the PN should inject a stronger dose "of high-profiled announcements" and more pomp and pageant to bolster the "image" and outstanding role it has played in this country's development.

I will not delve into the MLP's past and present pragmatic tactics and u-turns, or its past and present leaders, or its past and present policies and the disservice it is offering this country.

I will simply say that, while the Nationalist government was realising its dreams to strengthen our country, the MLP consistently attempted to shatter them. Without offering an iota of assistance to overcome the various difficulties our country faces every day; without betraying a glimpse of its own policies; without taking a stand on several sizzling issues - the MLP has constantly and vehemently criticised, censored, chastised, condemned, disparaged and discredited the Nationalist government on both a local level and, unfortunately, even on an international level.

Malta is already standing on its own two feet. So the MLP "vision thingy" Dr Sant announced has already materialised! Ask the EU if you don't believe me.

The Nationalist Party is competitive, not in style and in image, but in substance and respect towards the electorate.

Its competitive edge over its adversaries lies precisely in fulfilling its dreams and vision.