The race is on

It's only the second week in the campaign. The contrast between the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party could not be sharper. Labour had been saying for months that they were ready whenever the election was held. And then at the starter's whistle they remained stuck to the starting blocks. From whichever angle you look at it, the campaign has served to heighten the PN's competence and Labour's muddling. The immense difference lies not only in the billboards. Though these represent only the packaging not the substance, they reflect the PN's professionalism and appreciation of excellence, while Labour's mirrors their make-do attitude.

Or take the electoral programme. They have been toying with it for so long and supposedly debating and discussing at various levels and, yet, nobody noticed that various proposals have already been implemented. Perhaps few episodes turned so comical more than when the deputy leader was taken to Gozo to promise that Labour would remove the Gozo hospital incinerator, only to look dumbfounded when he was told that the incinerator had already been removed. He barely recovered to mumble that Labour always keeps its promises.

But more serious is Labour's undertaking to reopen negotiations with the EU on the drydocks and agriculture. One may take it as an attempt by Labour to garner some votes from sectors that have up to now not been able to adjust to EU regulations. Alfred Sant states he is convinced that this is possible, even though already he is being contradicted by various European personalities, not least by Javier Solana.

In the circumstances, can Dr Sant's proposal have more sinister intentions? Who can blame us if we think that this proposal might be intended as the wedge that will eventually edge us out of Europe? We all know that Labour's conversion was one of convenience rather than conviction. Not that there are no genuine Europeans among Labour. But how can one be convinced of a damascene conversion when the anti-European battle was conducted in God forbid terms? And when its high priest for years has been repeating ad nauseam that the partnership proposal would have been far more advantageous to our islands. If Labour really feels so, isn't it more logical to withdraw from Europe and seek such arrangements? Is 2003 so far away that we do not remember how, subsequent to the election, Dr Sant justified the party's u-turn and resisted Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici's call for Malta's withdrawal from the EU? He told the party's veterans that it would not look right to withdraw at the first opportunity. Does this mean that there is no harm in doing so at a second chance? Does this mean that the issue is not closed yet?

What will be Labour's next move, were Europe, as it will surely do, refuse to reopen negotiations? Will Labour demurely accept the situation? Or will it call for Malta's withdrawal? What will happen to investment and consequently jobs? Can we afford risking our considerable hard-won achievements?

EU leaders have already expressed their opinion that EU countries can seek deals within its structures especially at times when there is a development in policies. And who can do this better than convinced Europeans? Our government has already proved that it is more than competent at this. All those who joined the pro-EU coalition in 2003, even Labour supporters, would do well to ponder on Labour's threat and act accordingly. Thousands of traditional Labour supporters voted yes during the referendum and many of them voted PN in the election in order to defend their pro-EU choice. Some have been lulled to return to the Labour fold when Labour seemingly accepted EU membership. They were cheated once more.

There was some sort of agreement that Dr Sant and George Vella would resign if the 2003 election was lost. Dr Vella kept his word. Dr Sant wriggled out of his announced resignation. Only a further decisive thumping can give Labour a real new beginning.

Meanwhile, Labour's electoral carrots have been thoroughly destroyed. More and more parents are becoming convinced that the "reception" class, an ill-thought out idea if ever there was one, in essence means that all children whether in state, Church or private schools will have an extra year of schooling whether they need it or not. This proposal by itself shows why Labour should be kept away from the reins of power. Millions of euros have been invested in our educational system and the results justify them all. Witness the thousands graduating from the University and Mcast each year. The number of illiterates at the end of the educational course has dwindled down to 1.9 per cent. Among them are those with severe mental handicaps. The figure justifies further refinement not the steam roller proposal by Labour.

The same goes for Labour's overtime and energy surcharge proposals. Both did not stand up to close scrutiny. Electoral baits are no match for sound well-thought-out proposals.

On the other hand, Lawrence Gonzi's image grew and grew immediately the race was on in earnest. His capacity for hard work, for focusing on the task in hand, for inspiring his listeners have left the Leader of the Opposition and his bumbling underlings far behind. Besides, he is armed with far-reaching propositions in the fiscal and environmental spheres. Wait for more as the weeks roll by. His promises are underpinned by his successes in the four short years in the premiership. He can now revert to the electorate and let them judge him on his performance. His credibility has soared and stands to soar further as more people are bound to give some of their time and attention to politics and the choices available.

It has been said that this is an election without a big issue.

The issue is the immediate future of this country, the future of our children and grandchildren.

The choice between bold vision and short-sightedness.

The choice between competence and mediocrity.

The choice between excellence and make-do.

The choice between the PN and Labour.

The choice between Dr Gonzi and Dr Sant.

Dr Deguara is Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care.