Give us your policies please

If proof were needed for Labour’s superficiality and lack of substance, we have it in the letter We Need To Know How Now (October 28), by the shadow minister for the public service, government investments and gender equality Helena Dalli, in reply to my article.

Dr Dalli asks me to tell her what the government’s policies are. Aren’t they obvious? Not only do we know what the government’s policies are, we also know the results.

The highest job vacancy rate in Europe, better educational attainment with thousands graduating from University just now, investment in health care with a new cancer hospital (after a new general hospital), a reform in public transport despite the difficulties being tackled, a budget deficit within the Maastricht criteria of three per cent of GDP, investment in solar energy incentives rather than subsidies for the imports of oil, a transformation of our factories to specialised manufacturing with government help, a record tourist year last year and even better figures this year up to the latest published figures, the highest number ever of people working and of employees in private industry.

All this despite what’s happening in our neighbouring countries with several governments going bankrupt, making state sector workers redundant, imposing new taxes and increasing others, cutting salaries and reducing pensions and social benefits.

What’s more, Dr Dalli, who was a parliamentary secretary in the last Labour government and who aspires to be a minister in a next one, won’t tell us what Labour’s policies are. Many ask: does Labour have any policies at all, except for the negativity that has always bedevilled Labour?

From a shadow minister we require policies and replies.