Toni Bezzina
As a politician, there are times when I tend to focus and comment on the sector I have been allocated to follow. This I do with pleasure, as I feel that, on several occasions, we have succeeded in uncovering certain issues of importance that has led to an improvement in services. But as a politician there is more to it than me asking PQs on behalf of aggrieved constituents or trying to understand the next step Minister Joe Mizzi will be taking in the long and twisting public transport sage - that has now dragged on for far too long!
There are certain matters, however, that I feel I need to address as an MP.
The results of the European Parliament elections have led me to further make sense of my drive to join the Nationalist Party and become a Member of Parliament. At a time when extremism seems to be an easy way of pulling the popular vote, I am persuaded to further determine my desire to continue my work within my parliamentary group to seek what is right and sustainable for the present and future generations.
At a time when our European principles are being threatened by the same people who discredited themselves through their anti-European stance years ago, and with elements of extremism taking centre-stage in European political affairs, we need to stand up and be counted. Ten years ago, Malta gave a strong message that - against all the odds - we wanted to become part of the European Union, a Europe that we considered (and I still consider) our natural home. Has this dream faded? Are we putting it aside in order to sign up to populist ideas and satisfy current short-term needs?
We need to revisit what being European stands for. On paper, Malta did not vote for what the EP would consider euro-sceptic parties but, hand on heart, we cannot say that we, as a nation, did not vote for euro-sceptic politicians! If the European Socialists are happy to count amongst them Maltese politicians with a euro-sceptic background, then that can only reflect on the Socialist's desire to gain power at all costs.
I ask you to consider what it meant to be European. I ask you to reflect on what extremism led to the last time the far right gained unquestioned strength throughout Europe and to remember why the European Community was founded. I ask you to appreciate the 'cost' of the European Union, in the place of... what?
We must be conscious of our political 'youth' as a nation; we are a country that has been independent for only 50 years, acquiring economic and democratic freedom over the last 27 and sitting at the European table for just 10. It is our duty as politicians to protect these achievements and to work on strengthening their value. As politicians, we must instil pride in our citizens for having come so far, but then create awareness of the need for caution and justice in our delivery.
Politicians, especially those who hold the balance, must make sure that on a day-to-day basis, none of the nation's achievements are betrayed. We need to work in unison to protect our independence, democracy and 'Europeaness'. That is, if we truly believe in these ideologies.
Mr Bezzina is the Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure