Our visions set us apart

With a slogan such as Bidu Ġdid (new beginning) one would expect the vision of the Malta Labour Party, as emanating from the main speeches of its leaders and the electoral manifesto, to be the most daring, exciting, innovative. That Labour would want to project this image, after two full terms of Nationalist Administration is understandable. The obvious tendency for a party which has been in opposition for nearly 20 years, bar a 22-month period, is to project the Nationalist Party as devoid of ideas, stagnating, promising more of the same.

Such a strategy should have found fertile ground. The fact that this strategy has not taken off is an indication that the vision as proposed by the MLP is being read as not convincing, incoherent and not genuine. Moreover, the PN, with Lawrence Gonzi at its helm, has managed to position itself as having changed this country and is ready to keep building on this change. A few contrasts between the promises made by the two main parties prove this point.

• While Labour's main education promise is the introduction of a reception (better read as repeater) class, the PN is promising competition in technology, further investment in Research and Development, scholarships for highflyers, strengthening early screening of the physical and intellectual health of students.

• Labour's main fiscal promise is to halve the surcharge on electricity - a promise that would encourage consumption, thereby subsidising consumption. On the other hand, the PN is promising to raise the tax band ceilings, remove death duties on ordinary residence of deceased parents, change the car registration system.

• One of the main thrusts in the MLP's campaign is corruption. However, its promise of zero tolerance has already struck a discordant note with its embracing of Michael Woods, the brother of someone investigated in connection with bribes. On the other hand, the PN's promises in this sector include the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act and the Whistleblower Act.

• Another odd promise by the MLP is to renegotiate the accession agreement reached with the European Union. At the same time Labour is giving us no clue on what programme it has for the €850 million won by this Administration. The PN has a comprehensive programme which has been approved by the EU Commission, promising to spend €300 million on the environment, €155 million on road infrastructure, millions of euros on campuses and new schools, tourism, restoration of our historical assets.

• It is very obvious that Labour's vision and trust in the Maltese is suspect, to say the least, probably not having shrugged off their looking at us as bait (makku) swimming in a sea of whales. For the PN, size is not an issue. The promise to turn the country into a smart island is filling our young people with hope and excitement.

The contrast between the two party leaders is just as striking - if not more. Alfred Sant is on record that his idea on negotiating with the EU Commission is to muck around (tbażwar). As a leader of his party he is responsible for various promises in their manifesto which have already been implemented. Lawrence Gonzi is exuding and inspiring confidence, promising to remain as hands-on as he has been in the country's most demanding sectors such as the Mepa reform.

The debate between the leaders of the various parties at the University campus is an eye opener on how the vision promises are being read. Young educated students are normally the ones not to vote on the past but on the future. It is obvious that students and new voters have not embraced Labour's promise of a new beginning. The various inconsistencies in the MLP manifesto and other promises are showing that Labour has wasted its time in opposition, a time it should have used to develop a coherent and convincing vision.

The two visions proposed by the two parties set us apart. After wasting its time in opposition, the MLP and Dr Sant cannot expect the electorate to trust them with running (or ruining) the country.

Mr Mugliett is Minister for Urban Development and Roads.