No central issue in this election

People are being asked to go to the polls next month without a central issue on which to base their decision.

EU membership was the central plank of the 2003 general election, while the power tariffs and EU membership characterised the poll of 1998.

But this time around the people’s verdict will be based on a variety of issues.

For the Labour Party, this election centres around starting afresh, what the party is calling bidu gdid, or a new beginning. The party argues that the people want a change of government because the PN has been there too long.

The MLP is also expected to push strongly on issues such as accountability, value for money in government spending, efficiency in getting government projects done on time and on budget, accountability and the cost of living.

Far from starting afresh, the Nationalist Party is expected to insist that the work of the past legislature, including EU membership, set the country on a course for faster growth. It will therefore highlight Dr Gonzi’s vision for Malta up to the year 2015, placing particular focus on the investment flowing into Malta and the emphasis on job creation, education, health and the environment.

The PN has also already been pointing out ‘bad advice’ given by the MLP in the past which would have severely dented the country’s progress, including its opposition to EU membership and remarks by Dr Sant on how the value of the Maltese lira should have been adjusted.

Also likely to feature in the month-long electoral campaign is the cost of housing, with both camps having late last year come out with their proposals to help first time buyers. Another issue, which surfaced recently, is the MLP proposal to introduce a new reception class before primary school.

Readers are invited to submit their views on what they think the main issues of the election are by writing in on mynews@timesofmalta.com.