The editorial ‘Drop in governing standards’ (November 21) finds it interesting that “despite all the concern over the corruption claims, Labour still leads at the polls”. And then wonders whether “Labour has managed to manipulate the people’s thinking to such an extent that many may have become immune to unprincipled behaviour”.

It is a subject worthy of serious consideration but the Times of Malta omits making one very important point in the reasoning it presents. The point is that there is only one other political party the electorate can vote into government and that party, the Nationalist Party, is just as guilty of “unprincipled behaviour”.

Even in opposition, the PN has proved to be unprincipled. I need mention only one instance of this, which is the secretive ċedoli scheme it launched to raise funds. Donors’ names are not given, so we do not know, for instance, whether all those who profited so well from the PN in government are themselves donors.

This point, which the Times of Malta does not make, explains why “unprincipled behaviour” has not eaten away at Labour’s lead in the polls. It is not, as the Times of Malta wonders, that Labour has managed to manipulate people’s thinking.

Voters have a clear choice to make, which is whether to stick to Labour, and the huge progress Labour has forged in government, or to turn to the PN, whose main characteristics have always been sloth and inertia and a laid back attitude after any minimal achievement it may make.