Why I should vote Labour!

Because I believe that a party in opposition means standing firmly against whatever the government proposes notwithstanding the fact that the proposal is beneficial to the country (for example, EU, the euro, SmartCity, Magħtab, HSBC, low-cost airlines...).

Because I believe that the proposal to introduce a "reception" year without the necessary discussions with the relevant authorities is the way forward. Let me be clear on this because I think it is very important to make this point. I did not and never will discount any proposal by any party when it directly concerns the education sector. However, the MLP should have discussed this further and should have stated in the manifesto that they would be discussing improvements in the primary education system and not blatantly state that they shall implement a "reception" year which turns out to be simply a different name to a year already in place.

Because Alfred Sant as Prime Minister would investigate corruption allegations himself instead of notifying the Police Commissioner. I think this was one of those rash answers by Dr Sant to journalists which he is now trying to defend. I will never have confidence in a Prime Minister (whatever the colour) who investigates corruption allegations within the government he himself administers.

Because the MLP has come forward to the Maltese electorate with "misprints" in its manifesto and this puts me at ease when I think of MLP governing my country. I am sorry to say that I shall not accept any excuse of computer malfunctions or misprints within an electoral programme, which has been worked upon for five years. I think nobody would expect and accept such lame excuses, reminiscent of the way we once used to try to trick our primary school teachers when we did not do our homework. "I'm sorry Miss, but the dog ate my homework this morning."

Because the MLP is trying to make people believe that the PN in government will make us pay for health services. Although it is undeniable that it was the MLP in government in1997 that had actually set a price for every prescription I shall not revert solely to pointing my finger at Dr Sant. On the contrary, I will applaud the fact that the MLP addressed the health service from an economic point of view.

We might not be in agreement with the way Dr Sant went about it but the MLP tried to tackle the matter by putting a price to it because it believed that it was necessary. How can I trust Dr Sant when now he changes tack with the sole intention to gain votes? I think he would have been much more credible if he stuck to his beliefs that the health service cannot remain for free ad infinitum and explain his reasoning why the citizens should pay for the health service.

Because Dr Sant does not care about the excessive electricity consumption and proposes to halve the surcharge at any price. Not only does this promote the negative waste of electricity (against the basis of green logic) but he further states that, whatever the oil price, he will continue to halve the surcharge which will surely lead to another ħofra (hole) in our economy. This does not generate economic growth but a greater environmental deficit which in today's world will translate into stagnation since the economy and the environment have to work hand in hand.

Because Dr Sant proposed a devaluation of the Maltese lira by 10 per cent, thus resulting in an unimaginable rise in the cost of living.

It is very difficult to imagine what it would have been like to go through a devaluation of 10 per cent unless we actually go through it. I fail to understand why MLP followers dismiss this argument as if it were not important. If only I were in possession of a magic wand to put the country through a 10 per cent devaluation of our old lira for a day! Then everyone would be able to understand what Dr Sant and his ideas are all about.

Because when the MLP was in government between 1996 and 1998 the price per barrel of oil was $12 and Dr Sant still managed to send us electricity bills at home which were higher than what they are today. And if you please you can add inflation to that bill too. We all know that the price of oil today is nine times that in 1996 but the bills we pay, including the surcharge, are lower.

Because the MLP has failed to mention what it intends to do with the €850 million achieved from joining the EU. Is this an oversight by the opposition party or is there really a hidden agenda behind this omission? Such sums of money are difficult to miss and, therefore, this exclusion puts me in doubt as to where the MLP really stands with regard to the EU.

Because Dr Sant has stated that it is not a priority to try to achieve a surplus budget in 2010. He should know better. Putting that as a priority means only one thing and that is moving the country forward. It encompasses all the sectors that make up our beloved country and such a priority ensures that every sector is given its due push to gain a brighter future.