The circus is in town again and it ain’t going to be fun. I mean the one with political animals, not controversial four-legged ones.

Tonio Fenech and Simon Busuttil are above snapping and snarling at each other- Lino Spiteri

The political circus is not controversial. It is, at first glance, a genteel game between two leading lights in the Nationalist Party.

They do not snap and snarl at each other. Tonio Fenech and Simon Busuttil are above that sort of thing.

Their digging action lies in the underlying meaning of their words. That was again revealed in the interviews with each of them carried in The Sunday Times yesterday.

As usual, Busuttil came across as if butter would not melt in his mouth. Except for the carefully delivered barbs.

He did not take part in the divorce debate, he said, because it was not a European Parliament issue. He has been abroad for over eight years and his action was there.

What he meant was that, in his view, he had nothing to do with the mess the Nationalists have been going through in recent years. He is squeaky clean.

So much so that he can now define what he means by change. The change the rickety PN needs is, well, Simon.

He will make all the difference. Lost souls will find in him a steady berth. Nationalists among the 30 per cent of undecided voters will flock back to the party if he becomes deputy leader.

Busuttil is clearly not one who is tempted to hide his talents under a bushel or, at least, let them speak for themselves. He stresses time and again his pulling powers. He even hopes to lure Labourites to the Gonzi/Busuttil tandem.

He is clever to stress his electoral popularity and his success as an MEP. He knows, though, that in emphasising them he also reveals his soft underbelly.

He has no administrative experience. It is one thing being a busy MEP. It is something else running a large grocery chain or a relatively huge political party.

The first part of that observation can be laid at Joseph Muscat’s door as well. Except that he has now been running the Labour Party for over four years and, according to the opinion polls, successfully so.

Fenech does not miss this weakness in the Busuttil make-up. Once, twice, three times he let it slip that the Nationalist leader urged him to contest the deputy leadership.

That is intended to cloud the impression that Busuttil is the one anointed by the Prime Minister.

In the same breath he says that he has worked side by side with the Prime Minister for around a decade. Worked, not simply been close to him politically.

Fenech is thereby reminding Nationalist councillors that he has a striking track record as a workhorse. He is streetwise, very experienced in running a ministry. He has been at the heart of the most important of them all, the Finance and Economic Affairs Ministry.

The contrast with Busuttil could not be more glaring or, let’s face it, cruel. The two contestants are both 43. But, in practical terms, implies Fenech with good reason, they are ages apart.

Fenech, who crafted about eight Budgets, knows all about that important part of governing.

He was even given added responsibility when the Prime Minister felt he should cut Minister Austin Gatt down to size, over Enemalta and Air Malta.

Busuttil has friends in the European Parliament where not a few MEPs are not very significant in their national party back home. Make your conclusion, sighs Fenech.

But, just in case councillors miss it, he spells out that, with him as deputy to Lawrence Gonzi, they know the party and the country are in safe hands.

The implication, of course, is that, should he go on to become leader, he will be more seasoned than a fine bottle of the best wine.

All of the above is not the interpretation of a political analyst. It is as clear as ABC. True, the candidates strive to give a glimmer of chumminess. Fenech said more than once that he was not contesting Busuttil – he was contesting the deputy leadership.

No one will be misled by that. There is a contest on, also witnessed by the reminders of the contestants regarding who is backing them.

Don’t expect dark secrets to be revealed or any veiled personal attack. But neither be overly impressed with metaphorical hugs and throwing of kisses.

That only takes place in the real circus – not when political animals are performing.