Considering the long time the Labour Party has been in opposition, it is of course far from surprising for MLP leader Alfred Sant to use as a main slogan for the coming general election what he perceives as the need for change. Having reversed its policies over EU membership and the introduction of the euro, the party looks keen now to hinge its election campaign on the need for change. It was untrue, Dr Sant said last Wednesday, that there was no one big issue in the coming general election. The big issue was change, he insisted.

Others may think differently and pointedly ask: Change to what exactly? Dr Sant may feel the wind is in their sails but it is only the ballot box that will ultimately show the people's preference. People would not want change unless they know what kind of change the MLP is proposing, not airy-fairy proposals that instantly smell of political opportunism but sound ideas that can really take root within the constraints of a small economy as that of Malta. True, the Nationalists have been in power now for a very long time, giving rise to some arrogance and inefficiencies here and there, but Labour are not as yet convincing enough in their arguments and this is likely to make voters - especially the so-called floating voters - to think twice before deciding to entrust them with the job of governing the country.

Dr Sant marks his official return to the hustings, following the surgery he has undergone recently, when he gives the concluding address to the Labour Party's general conference tomorrow. He has said that he would be making a keynote speech, setting the theme for an election campaign and presenting a forward-looking policy. He adds he would also be making things clear over their options. "We have quite a good policy plan and our priorities have been set."

Having talked so much over the past months about his party's plans and priorities and about the prospect of a new beginning, the electorate is now doubtlessly anxious to learn more of the party's plans. Whatever the party has in mind, though, it is also clear that the programme the Nationalists are following is working well, so well in fact that they have managed to correct their own mistakes in managing the government's finances and have brought these back on track - so much so that the country has been allowed to join the eurozone.

Of course, there is still need to step up economic growth and to work for greater efficiency in various areas, especially in tackling projects. And, in the wake of all the developments taking place in the industrialised world today, who would be against making the structural reforms necessary? Indeed, failure to do so would bring about stagnation.

This is what is being done gradually. For example, efforts to steer away from traditional labour-intensive manufacturing sectors, such as the textile firms that the island attracted in the first stage of its industrial development, have yielded good results, as shown by the investment pumped into lines that require a high value-added content.

SmartCity is one project that fits well into the new mode the country is developing. This, and the expansion of financial and banking services, as well as changes for the better in tourism, show the transformation the economy is undergoing today.

Over and above any good plans and policies that the political parties may present to the electorate at election time, it is trust that ultimately counts most. It would seem that Labour have to work harder to win this. The MLP's general conference may be regarded as the party's curtain-raiser to their election campaign. The impressions left at the end of this conference - the last one before the upcoming general election although an extraordinary one may be called - are likely to have a crucial impact on undecided voters. Alas, certain speeches delivered so far have not been very inspiring.

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