Being a politician and forming part of a hard-working Cabinet, led by a dynamic Prime Minister, is a very enriching and exciting experience.

Last Wednesday was a case in point when I took part together with Minister Michael Farrugia in the Gvern li jisma’ session at the Auberge de Castille. Such gatherings have fast become regular opportunities to give an account of our performance and listen to people’s feedback with a vast range of new proposals, including eye-opening criticism. It is not so uncommon that we touch base and literally listen to what people have to say about all that had been meticulously planned, but which at some stage down the line of its execution might have met some kind of problem.  

We listen and consult

As it happens, politicians need to be humble and good listeners in order to view and resolve problems. Meeting people and understanding their needs and expectations is a must for the Labour government, committed as it is to implement its electoral promises in this first legislature. With three years gone and the hard work that has given record-breaking results, we need to stay focused and complete the first part of our plans during our first term in office, while fine-tuning what has already been achieved and move on to the next. As Minister Farrugia himself said during this session, my Parliamentary Secretariat is the best performer with regard to electoral manifesto implementation.

We keep destroying barriers on all fronts, notwithstanding the howling and destructive criticism from those who thirst for power for the sake of being in power. I feel very proud to contribute, through the two important sectors entrusted to me – the elderly and people with disabilities.

One old lady I met on Wednesday told me that with all the many projects we launch or complete so frequently, some people tend to lose count and cannot even recall what their life was like before such changes. She added that in a country where people were used to a status quo and inertia for so many decades, there is a need that they savour properly each and every initiative. 

I replied that things have to be done and fast, albeit the necessary consultation and diligent planning. I told her that we are not after people applauding us, but people who are aware of all the changes we bring about to further ensure their well-being on a lasting, solid basis. She smiled at me and replied with a motherly hug.

Major work being carried out at SVPR

This brief conversation took place minutes before I met the media on Tuesday, together with the facility’s CEO Dr Joseanne Cutajar, to launch our renovation plans for the Rużar Briffa Complex at St Vincent de Paul. It had presented me with one of the greatest challenges – the renovation of the whole residence, given that it is the oldest and largest building within a complex that is constantly being rebranded and transformed into a fully fledged Long-term Care Facility.

The old building required extensive maintenance and had begged for renovation for decades. There will be three independent phases to allow each section to be properly evacuated for the work to be carried out. The first phase commenced last December and required extensive planning to provide temporary relocation for its 160 residents. It will eventually see the renovation and restructuring of the existing wings and the construction of two new wings – ultimately adding the number of beds from 160 to 250.

We have planned that the first phase, costing around €3.5million, will be completed by the end of next year. Plans are set for the second phase on the other existing wing, costing around €4 million.  The third phase will be the most ambitious as it will see the construction of two new wings.  Although planning and budgeting are at an advanced stage, one will be in a better position to specify costings while work on the initial stages is nearing completion.

Plans and budget targets can be met through the hard work put in by the SVPR management and staff, together with all entities falling within my portfolio. Together we take up challenges with great determination, fully aware that people expect us to deliver and not linger along with perfumed promises!

When old and young come together 

As said earlier, a politician’s life needs to be fully immersed within society and its social texture. Over and above my duties with the elderly and people with disability, I will never in any way ignore the vital threads that weave village life and particularly the warp and weft that blend so vividly within the Gozitan scenario. Similar to Maltese patterns, Gozo too is proud that so many volunteers of all ages give life to so many social and cultural activities.

Band clubs, big or small, play an important role in each community, and I have already worked closely with the ones in Xewkija and Għarb to realise specific projects within my remit. This week it was an honour to attend the inauguration of the Kerċem band club’s new premises. Such buildings are not only a meeting place for band enthusiasts or clubbers, but also active hives of music teaching, rehearsals and concerts. I heartily augur that the new premises will bring together even more people from different age groups that engage in cultural and social enrichment which benefits both young and old.   

Parliamentary debates

This week my parliamentary activity was also interesting. I participated in a sitting of the Public Accounts Committee which is currently scrutinising government arrears revenue. Since the discussion revolved around court litigation and I have a legal background, I suggested a structure to aid government entities in the recovery of debts and other related procedures.

As a former spokesperson for family and children, I also participated in the debate relating to the Child Protection (Out of Home) Bill. I stressed that this is a first positive step for the protection of children that I have seen in years. I reiterated that I still strongly believe that we need a Children's Act, incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in our legal system to have it directly enforceable in our courts together with the need to strengthen the role of the child advocate. I tackled the debate on the basis of my experience in the sector, deploring and abhorring child abuse in its broadest term and meaning. 

While calling for a child-oriented service provision in all aspects, we must ensure that children are heard when it matters most and offered the protection they really need and deserve. It is high time that children are suffering and harmed because of the pain inflicted by adults. Each one of us needs to realise the impact of our decisions on the lives of these children who are suffering.

A female prime minister for the UK

Irrespective of what Brexit may mean for the people of the United Kingdom, one cannot but note the political uncertainties it has caused. David Cameron resigned and is currently a caretaker Prime Minister while Jeremy Corbyn is in a stand-off as Labour leader.  The past week saw Brexit promoters Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage running off the new reality of a non-EU country and a potential no-longer-united Kingdom.

From my female point of view, I cannot but deem as important the unfolding news that two women will run for the post of Prime Minister come October. Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom are the two nominees contending for Mr Cameron’s post at 10 Downing Street, setting the scenario for the UK to have its second woman Premier since Margaret Thatcher.

I was struck by a statement by one of the ladies:  “This country needs leaders who say what they mean, and mean what they say!”  Come to think of it, Malta and Gozo are blessed, as that is exactly the kind of Prime Minister we have in our own country!