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The Labour Party is right to feel upbeat. It is riding on the crest of a political wave. Its party activists believe their party can win the next election and the party leadership too is smelling victory. The party activists are buoyant and will no doubt flock in their thousands to this afternoon’s Labour Party mass meeting. Whether all this euphoria is sufficient to ensure victory at the next general elections is another matter.
The recent general conference is a case in point. The enthusiasm was rousing, the stage, head table and podium a marked improvement, the decision to invite members of the constituted bodies and the independent press showed strategic thinking. It certainly has reinforced its public relations. Yet there was something missing. One is left with the feeling that Labour is not pressing all the right buttons.
The conference was characterised by a lack of policy announcements. All talk was dominated by references to the past mistakes and contradictions of the Nationalist Party or by critical analysis of government’s present policies, without the announcement of any counter policy proposals. At no stage did the party leadership say what it would do or say how it would do things differently. This attitude risks labelling Labour as the no to all government proposals party with a negative attitude and an un-preparedness of what to do, if elected.
Party strategists should not draw too much comfort from the encouraging opinion polls reaching their desks. There are still a full three years before the next election and the resounding question being asked among the floating voting electorate remains what would Labour do differently? How would Labour turn the economy which is likely to be the determining election issue? What does Labour really stand for now? Its carefully chosen words on illegal immigrants issue is strange coming from a party that prides itself on its left wing credentials. Is it pampering to prejudice? Has it become opinion poll driven, no different to an American party?
There is much work still to be done before foolishly publicly declaring that once Labour is elected all persons not willing to implement its policies will be swept aside. Such unwelcome declarations lessens its chances of being elected as it runs alarm bells in the ears of a floating voter class still sceptical about Labour’s trustworthy credentials.
There is the need for more strategic thinking. Its media must be put to better use and to serve as a means of reaching out to the uncommitted rather than being a propaganda machine appealing to the converted. This weeks’ news bulletins smacked of a rallying call for all to attend today’s meeting rather than an attempt to inform people as to what is happening in the country.
It must declare clearly its policies on all the controversial issues as they arise. The electorate is in the dark regarding Labour’s policy on waste management, the signing of the European Constitution, its acceptance or otherwise of the eco-taxes introduced, and the reduction of employees leave entitlement.
Its fine for it to criticise the increased rate of VAT, but will it reduce the rate if elected? Will it abolish eco-taxation? On these and many other issues Labour simply remains silently, sitting on the fence and biding its time.
The MLP hopes to win by default awaiting the walls of Jericho to come crumbling down. Its electoral strategy rests on the long years in power of the Nationalist Party and the grumbling noises coming from traditionally Nationalist quarters. One only wishes winning elections were that simple.
Labour must also address the credibility factor surrounding its leader.
Opinion polls if we are take them seriously show that the Labour party is more popular than Alfred Sant. They also show Lawrence Gonzi with a higher credibility rating than Alfred Sant.
Alfred Sant has still not overcome the trust threshold. This benchmark is a vital component to place its electoral strategy in place. The article published last week in this paper by Dr Anna Mallia, conveniently ignored by the party media, may have run a chord with the very few remaining dissidents still in the party and many a floating voter. Labour strategists must face the issue.
As the granaries are filled and the enthusiasm aroused to electoral campaign pitch, Labour would do well to start announcing its policies. Beyond the public smiles of its energetic and media friendly secretary general and the handshakes of its leader, politics is essentially all about policies presented to the electorate. The floating voter will eventually ask, where is the beef?
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