Labour’s Promises: Rehashed or Renewed?

In the heart of Malta’s capital, Valletta, the Labour Party’s headquarters buzz with activity. Posters of Prime Minister Robert Abela and his party’s candidates line the streets, each one bearing promises that echo from the last election. But are these promises new, or simply old wine in new bottles?

The Nationalist Party (PN) claims the latter. They’ve been vocal about Labour’s alleged recycling of unfulfilled promises. “It’s like Groundhog Day,” quips PN’s deputy leader, Beppe Fenech Adami, “We’ve heard these promises before, and yet, nothing changes.”

Labour’s manifesto is a hefty tome, filled with pledges on everything from housing to healthcare. Some promises are indeed new, like their commitment to increase the minimum wage. But others, like the promise to build more affordable homes, have been echoing since the last election.

Take the case of the Marsa Sports Complex. Labour promised to refurbish it in 2017, but three years later, it’s still a crumbling eyesore. “We’re still waiting,” says Joe, a local resident who’s been watching the complex decay from his balcony on Triq il-Kbira. “They promised us a sports hub, but all we’ve got is a hub of weeds.”

Labour dismisses the PN’s claims as political point-scoring. “We’re not in the business of making empty promises,” insists Chris Fearne, Labour’s deputy leader. “Each promise is a commitment, backed by a plan and a budget.”

Fearne points to Labour’s track record. “We’ve delivered on our promises. We’ve increased pensions, we’ve invested in education, and we’ve created jobs.” He admits that some promises, like the Marsa Sports Complex, have been delayed, but he blames this on the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the end, it’s the voters who will decide if Labour’s promises are recycled or renewed. In the narrow streets of Rabat, where Labour’s support is strong, voters like Maria are willing to give Labour the benefit of the doubt. “They’ve done a lot for us,” she says, “I believe they’ll keep their promises this time too.”

But in the PN stronghold of Mosta, voters like Tony are skeptical. “I’ve heard these promises before,” he says, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”