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local
news
Labour’s SwiM campaign gathering
pace
The Labour Party is bracing itself for a war of convictions on the
EU issue, with the party machinery gearing up for the referendum
and the next general election.
Recently there has been a shift in the MLP’s tactics, with
the Labour leader attempting to explain the ‘Switzerland in
the Mediterranean’ (SwiM) concept.
Political observers see this tactic as an answer to the criticism
often levelled towards the MLP that the SwiM concept has no concrete
base.
In every speech, Alfred Sant is painstakingly trying to explain
the ‘Swiss’ model being proposed by the Labour Party.
The proposed launch of an English language Internet newspaper, which
is aimed directly towards people who would most likely vote PN,
is also seen as a move to explain further the MLP’s foreign
policy vis-à-vis the EU. Apart from this, the party is embarking
on a fundraising campaign specifically directed towards the EU issue.
Dr Sant insists that the party needs adequate financing to combat
the pro-EU propaganda machine.
Political observers told MaltaToday that Labour’s new tactic
might prove fatal for the pro-EU lobby unless government embarks
on a serious informative campaign on what membership really entails.
They added that when one compares EU membership with SwiM it is
evident that membership is a more concrete option.
If Malta enters the EU it knows exactly what it will gain and what
it will lose. However, if Malta opts for Labour’s option the
country will not know what to expect because the special agreement
will have to be negotiated.
If tackled correctly, EU membership can provide this country with
the certainty required for concrete foreign and local investment.
However, observers point out that the shady way negotiations are
proceeding is not helping people to understand the full implications
of membership.
They sustain that speaking sincerely about membership is a much
better way of taking the wind out of Labour’s sails.
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