The way forward

In my political life, I have always shunned excuses; I prefer to find reasons behind a positive or negative electoral result. For instance, I still wonder how Labour always tries to justify its consecutive losses at general elections by referring to reasons outside itself; it did so again in the post-mortem of the 2008 election. The Nationalist Party is determined not to do the same in analysing the European parliamentary elections of June 6.

As soon as the first indications of a Labour victory were evident at the Naxxar counting hall, I immediately stated that the result was disappointing and that even though this was not a general election and that 15 per cent less had voted in this poll compared with the 2008 general election, I immediately admitted that the result contained a message that needed an acute analysis. Some reasons are clear and blatant, others contested and not so evident.

In the past year, the government embarked on a series of reforms, some of them long overdue. In spite of its slim victory in 2008, it launched several initiatives with zest and zeal. However, the way they were launched, implemented and executed betrayed a certain rush to get things done at any cost, ignoring the fact that sudden changes need time to be absorbed. The greatest fear is always that of the unknown, namely the uncertainty of a leap in the dark.

It was that fine Italian philosopher Nicolò Machiavelli who once stated that when a change is introduced, it faces two conflicting hurdles, of those who feel that nothing should be changed and would prefer to live in the security of a status quo position and those who, while contributing barely nothing to solutions, always moan that not enough is being done.

Now, there is no doubt that governments are elected to decide. They do not enjoy the luxury of sitting pretty, indulging in general comments, which lead nowhere, but the decision-making process should involve more consultation and dialogue with all stakeholders and that process of consultation must not only be transparent and open but also be seen to be so.

The significant national coalition for Europe in 2003 must be reconstructed at all costs. The idea of a progressive movement launched by Labour`s gurus should be revealed for what it is: a sham. Never has there been such a right-wing Labour Party in recent history. Labour's effective campaign may have produced results short term but it has betrayed the soul of the party itself. What is there "progressive" in the xenophobian use of the immigration problem or Labour`s pledge to refund tax on car purchases made in the past, even if the law courts do not sanction or authorise such refunds? If that were to happen, Labour would be unjustly exacting a tax of €50 million from ordinary citizens to finance others who are not entitled to such assistance. Progressive indeed!

Which reforms, measures, changes have affected the electorate most?

As the Prime Minister said in the post-election Sunday press conference, the government should not drift aimlessly with the prevailing currents but, at the same time, as he rightly pointed out, it needs to reconsider certain changes to ensure they are implemented softly, gently and with most stakeholders on board.

There is much that has been achieved which is taken for granted. For instance, the government did not manage to communicate with the public on the several parts of the five-year electoral programme that has already been implemented like, say, the family-friendly measure of granting a tax holiday for 12 months to mothers who return to work after an absence of five years or its pledge to defend and win the right at EU level to retain its zero VAT on food and medicines, which was to expire in 2010. We promised to retain and improve the stipends system and so we did; 15,000 students still participate in the stipend system and 1,330 get a special stipend for special reasons such as if they come from one-parent families. We promised to remove the 1997 departure tax introduced by Labour and so we did. We promised to change the car registration system to be based on the polluter pays principle and such measure was implemented. Income tax was reduced for the third consecutive year in spite of the global economic crisis, which was conveniently ignored in Labour's campaign of false propaganda.

This is the beginning not the end. It is the beginning of a new thrust, enlightened by the message received on June 6, fortified by a sincere political will to move ahead in spite of the difficulties.

The relatively positive results at local elections level indicate that voters can send different messages depending on what they are voting for. In 2013, the election will be about substance, track-record, leadership and the way ahead. The government is ready for that challenge when it comes.

Dr Borg is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.