Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. This quote keeps coming to mind in the run up to the March 9 general election. It has been a long and somewhat tiring campaign for political parties and their candidates. The events that unfolded last year within the Nationalist Party have meant that we were all very much aware of the approaching election date and, so, parties have been on top gear getting ready for D-day pretty much since last year.
With Christmas well behind us, voters looked forward to the publication of electoral manifestos and relished the opportunity to be able to compare and contrast.
It is said that politics is the art of conviction. I have been involved in politics for quite a few years now and, yes, do tend to lean on arguments of conviction where and when these are necessary with my constituents.
However, I have learnt that Joe Public is astute in his choices and will use his power to select based on two fundamentals: (a) principle and (b) track record. These two intrinsic elements will assist in the crystallisation of a choice of party to lead the country in the coming five years.
Thankfully, the majority of us are still guided by principle. I use the word thankfully here with great deliberation as we have experienced quizzical times whereby we have witnessed politicians and voters alike attacking the very root of their principles.
‘Switching’ has become a popular buzzword designed to confuse and to create further fog in ambiguous minds. I must say that I find this strategy of the Labour Party extremely unimpressive and am even further unaffected by the protagonists of this whole charade.
They shriek out to me: here I am, being used by the Labour Party to announce to one and all that I have made the ‘switch’ from PN to PL and this because I have found my ‘natural home’!
Well, good luck to you all, I say: those who stand for nothing will fall for anything!
As islanders, we have not always had it easy but our richly-chequered history is a living testimonial of our achievements.
The Nationalist Party in government has an impressive track record that has left categorical and irrefutable results in a wide variety of sectors.
No less than 97 per cent of the pledges of the 2008 electoral manifesto have been implemented during historically difficult financial times, which have brought world economies to their knees.
The few undelivered proposals were only put on the back-burner in a responsible move to prioritise in this unpredicted financial scenario. It certainly was a case of when the going got tough, the tough got going and the results are there for all to see.
Throughout this cyclone of events, the Labour Party has refused to acknowledge the financial crises or the economic turndown and has constantly taken on the role of professional armchair critics. With a general election just round the corner, Labour is now promising anything to everyone.
With no recent performance indicators or positive track records, Labour hopes that it will be believed and will garner the votes of those who will fall for anything, especially if it is cleverly made up in colourful slogans and eye-catching billboards.
Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.
On March 9, you will be called to exercise your right to vote. I would advise that prior to making your choice you find some time to look over the PN’s electoral programme, which is promising another leap of quality in work, health and education.
A mountain of work has gone into the preparation of these proposals that incorporate the wishes and aspirations of us all. It is do-able, achievable but we can only make it happen with your support.
On March 9, show that you stand for something and vote for PN candidates.
Together, we can make our proposals for your better future a reality.
info@carolinegalea.com
Caroline Galea is a Nationalist Party election candidate.