When early in the 90's the Nationalist administration of the time kick started the process to legislate on the Local Councils act, many were sceptical about the success that such an ambitious project would have. Yet it was a promise that the Nationalist Party had made and very much part of the vision that the government led by Eddie Fenech Adami had for this country. 

In a country where at the time you needed to approach a minister to get a bulb or and other street furniture repaired in your street, this was a bold move. It was considered by many as a risk to give so much power to the people but the government was adamant to go on with this huge devolution project that would give new a new identity to our cities, towns and villages.

Unsurprisingly, the Labour Party was not too enthusiastic about this idea and whilst being in favour in principle, opposed the idea of having political parties contesting, hiding under the independent mask to field its candidates while still sending hoards of counting agents to the vote counting hall to monitor the process. They eventually made a U turn on this practice and fielded candidates under the party name a few elections later. But then again that is Labour and its never ending relationship with U turns.

Today, twenty years or so after the introduction of local councils, we can see the tangible results. Notwithstanding the fact that there have been mistakes and malpractices along the way, their success is undeniable and the standard of living, sense of belonging and civic awareness has risen considerably during these last two decades. Towns and villages have been transformed thanks to the dedication of the councillors and to the funds made available for embellishment and protection. Heritage sites left in neglect for ages have been brought to life making this country more interesting for those who visit and most importantly making our villages a better place to live in.  

Councils, some more than others, went even further than that, twinning with other towns and villages across Europe and giving their residents opportunities that would have been unheard of twenty years ago. If there ever was a success exercise in democracy, it was the devolution of powers to the seventy local councils we have in Malta and Gozo.

Having quantified the success local councils one cannot really understand the reasons why our prime minister wanted to do without Local elections for the next five years. Democracy is not a switch, one cannot preach freedom, form a movement where everyone is said to be welcome than thwart the right of our citizens to vote to elect those responsible to make their home town a better place and to add insult to injury advocate to give the vote to 16 year olds whilst denying them this very right. It's like giving a person a car but not giving him the car key.

Whatever the prime minister and his entourage's intentions to delay and make do without these elections were, it was a clear case of denial of democracy. This is not acceptable in 2014. We cannot put our freedom at risk for no reason an no lame excuse. The right to vote is a right that enables citizens to express their wish and nothing can compromise this right.

Labour was a reluctant partner in the local councils project because its belief in the citizen is limited and because it feels more comfortable having total control under its grasp. Nationalist administrations think differently. Hadn't it been the case local councils would not have achieved so much in a twenty year span. The PN was and will remain committed to give more power to the people and to involve as many as possible in the decision making process. The upcoming elections could be an ideal tool to send this message to our prime minister.