After 25 years in the political arena, one gets to the stage where he can look back, at times with endearment and on other days with a heavier nostalgic heart at what one dreamt of and eventually achieved.

When one decides to enter the political arena, ideals and dreams figure at the top of one’s agenda. Determination to reach a particular goal is many times dampened by so many corners and seemingly insurmountable hurdles that eventually one ends up having to accept to go for what is attainable rather than the virtually impossible ideals.

Slowly one mellows in part while at the same time a more realistic vision of life develops. This gradual change also alters one’s perspective of life. I believe that, as time goes by, one eventually becomes capable of viewing things from a more objective point of view. This happens also if a particular circumstance or other has a telling effect on him at a very personal level. This maturity renders one capable of distinguishing between wanting to achieve rainbows, which are unattainable, and ideas which can mature into do-able projects.

The passage of time as a parliamentarian enables one to appreciate and transmit to others a more holistic, objective and realistic view of things. This can be done in spite of any personal, political, or other interest one might have on a strictly personal level. At one point you will be able to look at your aspirations in the face and realise whether the odds are ‘for’ or ‘against’ them being attainable. Beating heavy adverse odds may still be on the cards and in your heart but often enough this is more difficult to achieve than one thinks.

Years of participation at the higher political levels renders enables one to accept the reality of life. One moves from seriously considering unattainable idealisms to accepting realism. At the same time one gains the wisdom and talent to identify those areas and fields which can be addressed, develop a doable solution and implement the necessary change.

Needless to say that after a substantial number of years as an MP, and the last four and a half years as a Parliamentary Secretary, my perspectives have changed dramatically. There is no comparison to my views and aspirations on day one in Parliament back in May 1987.

When I look at my Parliamentary colleagues from both sides of the house, I know that by and large the ‘aged members’ are capable of addressing the various issues of Maltese politics with an objective point of view. We can do this irrespective of the political party we come from. In retrospect we realise that there are so many common aims and common ground which all political parties agree upon. In so many issues the only fundamental difference between the two sides in the House is lies in the modus operandi by which to address the challenges or problems. We definitely all agree on the desired outcome; that of seeing Malta make progress and the population enjoying job security, national economic success as well as a better standard of living.

On a national level, all the 65 present members of Parliament, as well as those of the past, who have treaded the different chambers used for Parliamentary Sessions, believe that we can leave a positive imprint. We all would like to think that our contribution to the country’s political and economic development has been a positive one, from wherever we were seated in the house, and that we will have left a concrete positive mark at the end of our political career.

Some are in a position to do this more than others. As members of the House, on either side of the political divide, we argue and hassle each other on the various topics.

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There is no second agenda but simply the hope that finally we, as legislators, are able to better address the multitude of challenges and opportunities which our country faces from time to time. We are there first and foremost to give a service.

We try to address:

•the needs of the population, the need for more education on a lifelong basis.

•the ever persisting need to find more jobs even for those who unfortunately never sought any specialisation.

•the necessity of becoming even more professional in our tourism industry, value-added industries, financial services, in the marketing of our agricultural sector as well as the health sector.

•the infrastructural and environmental needs of

our nation.

With respect to the latter, a Nationalist Government, some 20 years ago deemed it imperative not only to renew and enhance our road network but also to build basic necessities, felt at the time, in the form of a new power station, the Gudja airport, a modern telephony system, as well as reverse osmosis plants. Slowly and in a well-planned manner we started addressing environmental needs.

Now we need to mature more. Our economy needs continuing development in the industrial and ICT/IT sectors. Irrespective of our political beliefs, it is necessary to forget our differences and get everyone on board in order to make a success of the opportunities and investments which have come our way. This country of ours cannot afford to loose or in any way endanger that which we have managed to obtain by way of investment and credibility

If anyone has to criticise, and there shall always be scope for it, let us all see to it that the criticism is constructive and not destructive.

Negative comments, made for their own sake can only serve as a useless and damaging halt to the advances in the different sectors our country can achieve. Negativism should not figure as part of the Nation’s agenda.

In the near future, the electorate shall decide its’ destiny. In its choice the nation will do well to keep this in mind.

Tony Abela is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister