After barely one year in office, this government betrayed some of its most fundamental electoral promises. Gone is the rallying call of Malta TaghnaLkoll. Meritocracy is pretty much dead and buried under the lucrative jobs and contracts given to Labour’s inner core.
The pledge to rein in government’s expenditure was shattered the very minute Joseph Muscat appointed the largest Cabinet in Malta’s history. The promise that government Members of Parliament will only receive their Parliament allowance was broken with government MPs receiving additional income for executive and non-executive roles.
The reforms in public health and public transport were a failure. Unemployment is on the increase. This government promised to be a business friendly government but business is slowing down. The Chamber of Commerce hit the nail on its head when it said that the local businessman lost his appetite to invest in our economy. No wonder then that exports are dropping at a worrying rate. The two sectors that have kept up a positive performance, the tourism sector and the financial services sector, have managed to maintain their momentum from the previous legislature without any substantial input over the past fourteen months.
Pertinent questions are being asked concerning certain deals and contracts signed by government. This government is refusing to answer reasonable and just questions despite the promise of transparency. The higher ranks of the civil service are being appointed on the basis of Party allegiance. The Head of the Civil Service, the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Armed Forces are but the tip of the politically appointments iceberg.
This reality is not what people expected from this government and needs to be checked. No wonder then that a number of opinion makers, who encouraged people to vote Labour before the last election, are now saying that this government needs to be taught a lesson.
The outcome of these elections will determine how government will act in the remaining four years of its tenure. A significant drop in votes to the Labour Party will send a signal to the government that the real power lies with the electorate and not with government. On the other hand, a similar majority to that obtained fourteen months ago will be interpreted by this government as a license to do as it pleases. Within this context, it is not surprising that local rather than European issues dominated this campaign.
These past weeks were my first experience at campaigning. Twelve months ago, I would have shrugged off any suggestion to consider a frontline political role. That was before Joseph Muscat, true to his words, delivered me two blows below the belt; before my journalism career came to an abrupt end; and before I was rudely arrested at my place of work on trumped up charges. Government’s heavy handiness in my regard only served to strengthen my resolve to fight back.
While on the campaign trail, I had the opportunity to meet thousands of people each with their own particular story to tell. Some themes were common. Once again, there is a growing sense of fear creeping into this country, especially amongst those who work in the public sector. There is also a growing concern amongst the younger generations about the prospects of work. I was at times eaten up by the frustration of not being able to help resolve the issues that were presented to me. This experience has increased my determination to leave no stone unturned to transform that frustration into concrete action to make things better.
I resolve to work within the European Union context to keep our government in check; to make our economy more competitive; to ensure that our rights to live and speak freely are not trampled upon; to help our businesses make the best use of the opportunities that membership brings; to be an effective voice for the concerns of those who feel that they are being short-changed by the system. As a representative I pledge to remain in constant contact with the electorate for there can be no effective representation without consultation.
The campaign is nearing its end. The time for us politicians to speak is nearly over. It is now the turn of the electorate to have their say. My appeal goes to those who might still be undecided on how or whether to vote. Use your vote to caution this government. Malta stands a chance to have a less bullish Government if the electorate returns a yellow card to Prime Minister Muscat with its vote. Your vote can help make a better Malta. Do not waste it. Use it well!
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