With much fanfare, Opposition Leader Alex Borg promised a set of political targets specifically for the island of Gozo. But the proposals raise more doubts rather than certainty about, and this especially in relation to the long-term commitments and implementation required to finalise them.

During the conference, Alex Borg did not acknowledge that Gozitans have moved on from the bygone years of the administration of the island under his political protégé Giovanna Debono.

Coincidentally, his political rival and huge supporter of the regionality concept for Gozo, Chris Said, communicated on the same day his intention not to run again on the PN ticket.

Gozitans know very well the investments made throughout the last 13 years under successive Labour governments. The economic model applied for Gozo has transformed the island from an ailing and slowing summer and weekend economy into a more dynamic, year-round economic powerhouse.

Alex Borg’s proposals on the governance of Gozo risk being more symbolic rather than a realisable and feasible plan. Senior Gozitan commentators read through the fanfare and see the proposals as just an attempt by the Nationalist PArty to bolster the leader’s image as a Gozitan for this electoral campaign.

Gozo’s main challenges of improving infrastructure, health and education services, and connectivity were and will continue to be addressed decisively by a Labour Government, and central to this, public spending for Gozo increased year in and year out without increasing tax burdens on Maltese and Gozitan citizens.

At this stage, one ponders whether the Opposition Leader understands the government machinations and financial means required to move from a concept idea to the finalisation of a project.

If we have to take the Nationalist Party’s financial standing as a metric of what can be achieved, then one can only deduce the credentials of the opposition hopefuls for what they are.