Labour old habits die hard

It is interesting how, throughout Europe, Labour parties pass through different phases, with the emergence of a “New Labour” Party every few decades or so. Many a time these changes were but cosmetic ones, in an attempt to hide the misgivings that previous Labour governments had concocted and to lure voters into believing that their party had indeed changed.

The PN knows where it wants to take the country and does not take any shortcuts to increase its popularity- David Casa

In 1996 the Malta Labour Party went through this very transformation, giving the impression that it was open for dialogue, for change and well geared to take Malta through to the 21st century with all the challenges that this entailed. This strategy was both convincing and cunning and it did indeed make voters believe that trusting Labour would lead to positive change. Unfortunately, the tide turned after October 26 of that year, when the promises for a better life and a transparent government were replaced by the old politics of denial, mudslinging and fear. During its 18 months in power, the so called “New Labour” tried to annihilate the achievements that Nationalist administrations had made over the previous 10 years.

New Labour introduced a malfunctioning taxation system that fell short of effectively replacing VAT. The party further introduced a fee on medical certificates and instituted an unnecessary increase of utility bills, at a time when the price per barrel of oil was significantly lower than it is today. Above all, it instilled a sense of insecurity among citizens and investors alike. The antics of this so called “New Labour” also had a negative impact upon Malta’s credibility abroad, as the sound reputation that the Nationalist administration had established was tarnished by the strokes of the then Minister for Foreign Affairs’ pen.

History does repeat itself and we must therefore ask ourselves whether we really want to relive these past experiences. Labour was trusted in 1971 only to take this country nowhere. During its 16 years under a Labour government, Malta endured a political limbo and was eyed with suspicion by other nations. We still had friends, but they were friends who supplied armed policemen to shoot at fellow Maltese citizens. They were friends who were found guilty of genocide in their own country and friends who ruled with an iron fist and became billionaires while their citizens starved.

One may claim that these events are now bygones and that such rulers are now few and far away. The worrying fact, however, is that the new progressive movement that was once the Malta Labour Party of Dom Mintoff and Alex Sceberras Trigona, and which is now the Partit Laburista of Joseph Muscat and Dr Sceberras Trigona, finds no harm in justifying the launch of a rocket by North Korea, a country that denies even the simplest human rights to its people, where millions are in dire need of the most basic goods. We do not want and do not need any alliances with these kinds of dictatorships. If anything should be said about North Korea, it is the need to hear the voice of those people who are crying out for help and freedom.

The Labour Party has been tried and tested not once but twice. It has failed miserably on both occasions. Let us not go there again. Many thought that Labour had changed under Alfred Sant, but we all know the result. This is why we should remain unaffected by Labour’s new cosmetic changes and its flattery, as we are likely to be disappointed otherwise. The Labour party never had, and still does not have, an agenda for this country. It strives for power at all costs. The fact that the party has been in political wilderness for more than 25 years does not mean that it should win the next general election.

The Nationalist Party in government was forced to make a number of tough decisions for the benefit of our country throughout the years. While some of these decisions may not have been popular, I can rightly say that they were in the interest of our nation. The PN believes in this country and in its citizens. The PN knows where it wants to take the country and does not take any shortcuts to increase its popularity.

In order for this country to develop economically and socially, we need a government that puts our mind at rest and at this moment in time there is only one choice – my choice – PN.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.