I have fond memories of Freedom Day. My hometown Zurrieq was in festa mode for quite some time in the run up to the actual D-Day... the local band club even submitted a composition to compete for the music of the anthem for the occasion. Our entry didn’t win but we play it to this day every year during our festa.  What I recall most clearly however is not just the generous sweet bag we were given at school to mark the occasion, but the thoughts that accompanied the nibbling away at the goodies, while I sat solemnly in the school courtyard observing the happenings around me.

My conclusion then was that this “Helsien” issue might have freed my country but it certainly wasn’t making me feel any more free than I had been before, because I still couldn’t find the courage to reveal to others what I was really thinking... the air was too heavy with partisan politics then... there was no “public space”.

It’s 2014.  Thirty-five years have changed the face of this country and just physically.  I myself have also changed in many ways but while I do appreciate the historical significance of the event I still have an issue with the wider connotations of its title “Freedom Day”.

Freedom is defined in a multitude of ways all backed by logic and occasionally not too logical arguments.  I happen to subscribe most closely to Hannah Ardent’s definition of freedom: the capacity for making a beginning... the capacity for initiative. To that definition I add that freedom for me is the capacity to pursue that initiative, to see it through to its materialisation... consolidating that beginning and creating other beginnings... This time last year, my country was celebrating “Freedom Day”, in the wake of celebrations of the New Labour Movement’s resounding electoral victory.  Its young, articulate leader succeeded in convincing the people that a new freedom can be found in doing politics differently.  His charged impeccable rhetoric backed by a flawless, expensive campaign, persuaded the disillusioned population that disentanglement from the status quo was indeed possible, that matters can be handled in a transparent, honest and rational manner, that meritocracy will be the order of the day and that honest open dialogue with all stakeholders will remain the hallmark of any legislature entrusted to him...

There was no question about my full participation in making such a way of governance a reality.  Not only did I throw myself into convincing as many people as possible of Joseph Muscat’s honourable intentions, but I also persuaded my partner Godfrey to accept then Leader of the Opposition’s invitation, to lend a helping hand in making this freedom a reality.

Joseph Muscat was true to his word as he engaged Godfrey as Health Minister in his first Cabinet.  And no sooner had Godfrey been sworn in in his new role, he embarked on the mammoth task of addressing the roots of the problems that have plagued this sector for many years.  

Godfrey Farrugia worked night and day motivated solely by his absolute resolve to make life easier for present and future patients, while safeguarding the well-being of health professions without whose co-operation, this sector would obviously flounder. He did his utmost and there is no question about that, but it is understandable that it is the Prime Minister’s prerogative to come to his own conclusions and reshuffle as he thinks best.  I certainly don’t have an issue with that and also have the deepest respect for the new Minister for Health Konrad Mizzi and sincerely wish him well.

I do have an issue however with the way the outgoing Health Minister, Dr Godfrey Farrugia was repeatedly humiliated by the Prime Minister.  From the beginning, even by the manner in which John Dalli was introduced to the Ministry.  Godfrey approved, if not actually invited John Dalli to lend his expertise, once he was cleared of any accusations in his regard.  The Prime Minister’s Communications Office however made it seem as if he was being imposed on Godfrey, thus undermining his authority in the Ministry from the outset.  

The trend continued punctuated by more notable instances like the tent debacle and numerous statements by the Prime Minister regarding matters that he knew full well required huge capital investment to correct, and also being fully aware that the Health Ministry 2013 Budget was quite a few million euros short of being able to cater for basic needs let alone to provide for the immediate solution of the considerable bed shortage that this Government inherited.  I truly hope that the new Minister and Parliamentary Secretary chosen will be immediately strengthened by decisions taken on a national level to build on the foundations that Godfrey Farrugia and his team painstakingly laid in the past twelve months.  I also hope that the new Minister and Parliamentary Secretary are allowed to avail themselves of the Prime Minister’s support where Union matters are concerned, and that communication channels remain open to them at all times, in the running of this crucial sector.

The last weeks were a nightmare in Public Relations for the Labour movement.  No sooner had Joseph Muscat mentioned the reshuffle, then the pitiable leaks to fuel speculation by the media started, tearing away mercilessly at Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.  It was shameful how the executive members of our country, their staff and families were psychologically abused by the unnecessary prolongation of the run up to the decision. As I said, the Prime Minister should reshuffle as necessary but the way his PR team handled the matter betrayed weakness and indecisiveness till the very end.

Many question and sometimes condemn me because I choose to express myself openly on a number of issues. As a representative of the people, particularly, because I am a backbencher in a parliament where the party in Government enjoys a nine-seat majority and there is a very weak opposition, I will continue speaking out.  Apart from Parliament itself, I will continue to use the uncensored Public space that social media like Facebook can offer me.  My ultimate loyalty remains to the Labour movement we created, and I will not rest until our slogan of Malta Taghna Lkoll becomes a reality.