The heat is on and it is not only visible, but felt. Shockwaves and sometimes tremors are already felt and the air is becoming thicker by the minute. Wherever you go most people are already mobilised and in the mood discussing day-to-day political issues. Others risk a bit further than that, and like clairvoyants attempt to predict and determine the most probable date of judgment day!
All political forces on this archipelago are fully concentrated and focused to magnetise the highest number of votes in their favour. An ever smaller segment of traditional and loyal voters means that political parties have to concentrate all their mental powers and efforts to win over voters that are more prone to sway and concerned with particular local and sectoral issues.
One of the victorious trump cards that the Nationalists have cleverly and efficiently played for the past 25 years – and it reaped the desired results – was to portray the Labour Party as a bunch of criminals, hooligans and violent delinquents. They have persistently demonised Labourites to the extent that they are portrayed as the cousins of the barbarians!
During political speeches, television debates and wherever they keep sensationally exposing over and over again the same prints of violent acts that took place decades ago. The message conveyed is plain and simple: that they are the innocent victims and martyrs of violence and that the Labourites are the perpetrators of all political violent acts that took place on this archipelago.
Ergo, if ever voters decide to trust the Labour party, this would mean that life would revert back to the same old days when violence, rampage and disorder were the order of the day, according to these political sanctities! According to these puritans such eventuality would lead our country to the brink of a civil war!
Incidentally, during this notorious period in our history, when the Nationalists were all struggling to restore liberty and democracy on our archipelago and were victimised, public officials who were servicing the country at that time have ended up with bombs planted in their residences. The “co-incidental” collapsing of the balustrades from the rooftop of Zebbug PN club during a Labour manifestation is another classical example of this holy crusade to liberate our country!
Vivid are the scenes of how the Nationalist supporters celebrated their electoral victory in 1998. Their tolerance and respect towards others were at its best. Moreover, particular Labour Party clubs have been ransacked on several occasions. Our party club at Birkirkara surely tops the list. The private residences of Labour MPs have been cordially visited by the virgins and the puritans of local politics on various occasions. What hypocrisy!
Violence has multitude of facets and forms, not only physical. For the past 20 years Labour Party supporters, especially those employed in the public sector, authorities and corporations have been humiliated, discriminated and ostracised ruthlessly. They have been left out in the cold simply because of their political credo.
Just a visit to particular public offices is enough to make you wonder whether you are in a public place or attending a manifestation at id-Dar Centrali. Blue-eyed boys occupy key positions in all public places and corporations and run the show as if they are the most suited and gifted for the job. In return, we should all thank our lucky stars that this archipelago is fortunate enough to be endowed with such super creatures!
No wonder that the credibility of our public administration today is at rock bottom and the rot stink more that rotten eggs. The various scandalous cases committed by public trusted officials that surfaced during the last months are an excellent certificate of incompetence and a decomposing public administration.
Corruption, embezzlement and bribery have rocked our public administration throughout the heat of summer 2007. The last summer of this government was characterised by the various cases that somehow surfaced like the tip of the iceberg. Can someone guess the immensity of the iceberg of such cases? God only knows!
The last in a series is the clamorous case of the part-time politically appointed chairman of the Water Services Corporation. He did not feel the need to declare his interest. On top of this, such people definitely are not paid peanuts. What cheek, to have the guts to state that everything is normal and regular and there is not conflict of interest!
Our country deserves better. We cannot afford to exclude half of our human resources simply because of their political creed. Whoever can contribute towards the development and economic prosperity of this country is encouraged to join our vision to modernize this country.
There is place for everyone and no one is excluded. Whoever is ready to contribute positively to our project to turn on a new leaf for this country and re-establish trust in public administration and regenerate economic growth has a special place in our plans.

Roderick Galdes is Labour’s Spokesman for the Environment and National Heritage.