Round one to Sant? (1)

Following the debate between Lawrence Gonzi and Alfred Sant during the programme Bondiplus (October 1), I can now easily draw a number of conclusions.

There are a number of differences between the two leaders. Whereas Dr Sant was mentioning his various conversations with a number of families outlining the daily difficulties that they encounter due to the increase in the cost of living, Dr Gonzi was only focusing on what the European Central Bank and the European Commission were saying. This clearly shows that Dr Sant is in tune with the people while Dr Gonzi is completely isolated from reality locked up in his office in Castille. Our monthly pay is being eaten away by the different direct and indirect taxes introduced by this government - the water and electricity surcharge, the cost of medicines, the increase in VAT from 15 to 18 per cent, VAT on essential services, the cost of fuel, and I don't care what Almunia or Trichet say, I am not better off.

Dr Sant has promised to tackle these issues seriously in order to improve our standard of living . He was also proven right on the issue of VAT on education. Whereas the PM is still maintaining that there is no VAT on education, Dr Sant produced a number of receipts to prove he was right. And right he is! I am also a parent and I had to buy the books that Dr Sant was mentioning. Among these books one could find Lejn il-Missier (religion textbook), L'Italiano Allo Specchio (Italian textbook) and the atlas. I had to pay VAT on all of these and more. Dr Gonzi's reply to these facts on Bondiplus was: An atlas... an atlas is not education. Dr Gonzi, an atlas is education as are stationary, uniforms, PE kits, school bags, and other educational services on which I also had to pay VAT.

Dr Sant is also remarkably different from Dr Gonzi when it comes to his ambition to eradicate corruption, wastage and maladministration of public funds. Whereas, Dr Gonzi is constantly defending and protecting his Cabinet ministers even when these are in the wrong, Dr Sant has promised a zero tolerance policy on this matter. I demand that the government spends the money I pay through taxes in a decent way and that he offers me value for my money - something that is not happening at the moment. Dr Sant was very clear on the matter - he wants to institute a culture of good governance in this country.

The families of this country understand that Dr Sant is right on all these issues and will embrace change in the next general elections. It's time for Labour to lead!