As the electoral campaign becomes more intense and all-consuming, the electorate will inevitably be drawn into the debate, interpreting the (subliminal) messages and judging the realistic and sustainable implementation of the electoral manifestos. The strength of the electorate is to vote for the party that best epitomises its aspirations for a better future on the basis of the party’s vision.
The PL can only speak of promises and road maps that are still hazy and foggy- Ryan Callus
The electorate holds a huge responsibility come election day, as it will be sealing the country’s fate for the next five years. The electorate needs to ask an essential question: which party is most likely to bring about the change I need?
I have embarked on such a journey myself. I have long come to the natural conclusion that the Nationalist Party is the only party that can truly act as a catalyst for change. But what kind of change? Surely not any kind of change will do. Positive, meaningful and significant change.
The PN works tirelessly to secure sustainable, high-level education for our children and access to free healthcare, promotes business growth and is a strong believer in bringing about the best environment for job creation and attracting investment. This is what truly sets the PN apart from its counterpart. It has brought the necessary changes over the years.
Malta’s political history is well documented. Delving into it is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice to say that, to varying degrees, achievements and failures were common denominators for both Nationalist and Labourite governments. But some achievements and failures shine above all the rest.
The Labour Party becomes uncomfortable when the PN refers to the days when liberty was a far-off dream; fundamental rights a luxury and justice elusive. That is the PL we have come to know: unrepentant and unapologetic. So much so that the majority of its candidates hail from those “golden days” – as some sympathisers refer to the worst and most violent days of Malta’s history.
The Nationalist Government was decisively and indisputably correct with regard to VAT, the alternative, if it ever were, to the CET that brought financial havoc and record deficit figures.
The Nationalist Government was also correct on EU membership.
The Labour Government deprived this generation, my generation, of enjoying the benefits for years on end. Moreover, it was deceitful towards the citizen in claiming that Malta would only receive €1 million. To this day, we have been assigned the astronomical figure of €1 billion in EU funds.
The Nationalist Government was, again, correct on the euro adoption, the alternative, if it ever were, to devalue the Maltese lira. This would have had catastrophic implications for Malta’s economy in the worst economic and financial crisis that hit the global community.
The Nationalist Government was also correct on countless other issues: the privatisation of the drydocks, the pension reform, the introduction of the local council system.
I, for one, represent a substantial number of youths who have experienced politics through the local council and am honoured to have been granted this opportunity to serve at a local level.
If there is a party that can be associated with change, it is none other than the PN. It can speak of facts and accomplishments. The PL can only speak of promises and road maps that are still hazy and foggy. The electorate has to analyse this within the context of the PL’s credibility, reliability and credentials to lead the country.
The PL is doing what it does best – criticising. While this is rational and expected of the Opposition, let us criticise in a constructive and proactive manner.
Let us mention the achievements registered thus far. Let us acknowledge that, despite everything, Malta is performing relatively well.
Let us be aware of the fact that, while other countries are being bailed out, Malta is economically and financially stable and is generating new jobs and attracting new investment. Above all, let us please be privy of the PLs electoral manifesto. This is ultimately what the electorate will be voting on.
The PL is promising everything to everyone. It is the party of everything and nothing at the same time.
Populist and short-sighted electoral promises are dangerously irresponsible.
The promise, a priori, that the water and electricity tariffs will be decreased as soon as the PL is elected, without an accompanying strategic plan of action outlining its sustainability, is utterly irresponsible. It is in times like these that the change we wish for must be the change we need.
We have seen our European counterparts humiliated through endless strikes, soaring debt figures and strict fiscal measures. Is this not enough a lesson of the change brought about by populist politics?
The PN may not be perfect but it is not populist. This is why I feel privileged and honoured to contest on the PN ticket. I am proud the party I am representing has brought about reforms and, in truth, is the party that brought change to this country.
The PN is the change I want to see. Change is good but not any change will do.
info@ryancallus.com
The author is a Nationalist Party general election candidate and deputy mayor of Siġġiewi.