Is Labour fit for purpose?

The political predicament that befell this country was re­solved when Parliament rejected a motion of no confidence presented by the opposition to determine whether this Administration can proceed with the work at hand.

The country has to contend with a difficult economic forecast that might catapult the international community into another recession. Only the other day, the International Monetary Fund announced that it is expecting the euro area to go into a mild recession in 2012.

This foreboding necessitates further consolidation of our public finances to buffer a potential downturn in economic stability. While cautioning on the difficulties that lie ahead, the IMF acknowledged that Malta registered progress in the past years to consolidate and give credibility to its public finances.

Ultimately, it requires more, not less, of current policy and definitely not U-turns, which could negatively impinge on this credibility.

Is this a coincidence?

Some say yes, particularly those whose biased partisan perception blurs their vision to this reality.

Certainly not. It is the result of prudent and calculated decisions taken to safeguard the national interest. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has relentlessly and incessantly striven to save Malta the humiliation and embarrassment of other euro area members that are on the brink of collapse.

In sharp contrast is the Leader of the Opposition who has systematically underestimated, out of sheer denial, incompetence and lack of policy proposals, the reality of the impending economic situation. For the Labour Party it is business as usual.

This was clearly evident during the Labour general conference. Instead of rolling out, as one would expect, concrete actions, the Leader of the Opposition decided to go down memory lane and narrate his childhood story.

What was he hoping to achieve? Sympathy votes?

Despite declaring that he is ready to decide, ready to govern, ready to lead and ready to unite, he failed on all counts in explaining exactly how he intends to do just that. Indeed, in this sense it is business as usual for the PL. Joseph Muscat might, after all, get his way through sympathy and win the day. Winning the future is, however, a totally different scenario that excludes sympathy.

His 30-minute speech was a self-professed accolade devoid of any substance worthy of a future Prime Minister.

How can the Leader of the Opposition, on the eve of what could possibly be an election and against the prevailing economic backdrop, fail to explain what the government-in-waiting is proposing to do when in power? What are the policies that will guide him to ensure economic and financial stability, address the economic turmoil, generate new jobs, strengthen education and sustain free health care and social benefits?

If the past is anything to go by, then the future is truly bleak and murky. Speaking of Dom Mintoff’s portrait hanging high on the wall in your living room, the school you went to or a conversation with your grandfather on the principles governing a market economy seem all that is required in times of challenge!

The Nationalist Party, albeit not perfect, has consistently proved itself and delivered tangible results.

We enjoy one of the lowest unemployment rates, a high penetration of foreign direct investment, a state-of-the-art health service, record tourist arrivals, an ever-increasing expenditure on education and, the latest news of just a few days ago, the largest maritime register in Europe.

No wonder Dr Muscat was unable to come up with just one argument to substantiate his no-confidence motion in the opening speech on the motion in Parliament late last month. Speculation on possible outcomes on who votes what and how was deemed more relevant and fit for purpose.

The PL is so intent on being at the helm of this country that it is missing the bigger picture. Getting there might be the easy part; it is steering the country in the right direction that will pose the major challenge. Without adequate policies in place and the right mindset, a Labour government will only manage to plunge this country into an abyss.

The government-in-waiting has a long way to go to instil confidence and convince the electorate that it is fit for purpose.

info@ryancallus.com

The author is vice president of the Youth of the European People’s Party and international secretary of the Nationalist Party’s Youth Movement.