Education and politics

I keep on rubbing my eyes in disbelief while reading, for the umpteenth time, Joseph Muscat's comments (March 10) on our nation's reaction to the MLP's proposals regarding education.

Am I misunderstanding his contribution? He writes: "One of the low points of this campaign was the way in which education was dragged in the arena of partisan politics". Of course education must be discussed at such a decision time! For what other reason did the MLP include it in its unaccepted electoral programme? If it was not discussed, how would the nation have learned of the lies presented to back up this wonderfully "innovative idea"? Is Mr Muscat telling us that education is not a subject open to public discussion? Is he telling us that we have been unfair towards the MLP by "butchering" this "innovative" idea? Has the nation misbehaved in treating an unacceptable proposal as an unacceptable proposal? How can I not discuss my daughter's future? I sincerely believe that this requires more discussion than VAT on ties, pencils, etc.

These thoughts worry me even more when I reflect on the attitude behind them. In these thoughts I see the same attitude shown by the past MLP leader throughout this electoral campaign - an attitude of throwing unproven concepts at our nation and then shunning the nation for not being in agreement. Wasn't this the same attitude shown at University when our youths disappointed him by responding to his same questions? Wasn't this the same attitude that kept on postponing Alfred Sant's Mistra comments until the first opportunity of not having Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando around? Wasn't this the same attitude shown when not being man enough to face Dr Pullicino Orlando at the TVM studios? (I am pretty sure that one easily agrees that if Dr Sant took Dr Pullicino Orlando's questions, Dr Pullicino Orlando would not be enjoying the votes he has received. And what about the election result?) How many times has Dr Sant left questions unanswered and then blames the zebras in Africa for being misunderstood? By the way, Dr Sant has actually blamed unbalanced airtime for his defeat at this election, instead of his incompetence in failing to present sensible and clear proposals to the electorate.

These comments, coming from a person who is being seen by as a potential leader of the MLP, worry me sick. I am happy that the margin between the Nationalist Party and the MLP is slim, in the hope that the latter will keep the former focused on delivering appropriately and generously to the entire nation, as promised. I am happy that Dr Sant has resigned, in the hope that the MLP will truly become a valid option that can one day contribute to a better Malta. But I am seriously worried that the future MLP could still bring old thinking patterns into the nation's future.

I noted that the MLP is consoling itself that the PN victory is only marginal. It will nonetheless last for five years. I hope that the MLP has considered the reality that the Nationalist Party's performance at this election could be more associated with the latter's shortcomings than with the former's proposals. As I see things, the Nationalist Party, through hard and diligent work, can only win back past votes. The country needs a constructive minded opposition that attracts respect from all. And respect is not won by calling what is dear to the majority as "petty politics".