On 2 August, GRTU published a statement, unusually in Maltese only. It was disregarded by the English-language papers and to date has not been carried, as far as is known.

That was the day when all of a sudden the Monti was relocated, without any pre-announcement, to Ordnance Street.

Suddenly all the previous controversies were swept away and press photographers had the time of their lives putting up photos of Renzo Piano's Parliament as seen through knickers and bras.

While most of Malta was up in arms against this new insult to Valletta's status as the Cultural City of Europe in 2018, GRTU thanked the government for finally implementing the electoral manifesto.

Was GRTU responding to the Monti traders who may be among its members and disregarding the perceived impact on the appearance of the city?

The statement said it was issued by GRTU in conjunction with the Merchants Street Business Community Association. And now the penny drops.

For the rest of the statement makes it clear GRTU was thanking the government not so much for relocating to Ordnance Street but rather for clearing the Monti from Merchants Street.

When Merchants Street was pedestrianised some years back, it suddenly shone in all its glory as a regal street that compares well, and beats, Republic Street itself.

Then the Monti, pushed down Merchants Street to the back of the Presidential Palace, crept back up Merchants Street because of works at the back of the Palace.

The Merchants Street traders were up in arms for they had spent considerably to renovate their outlets and once again they had to endure the Monti outside their doors for the entire morning. As the statement itself makes clear: the franchises they had were struggling.

Hence their joy when Minister Chris Cardona, in the very first days as Labour Deputy Leader, authorised then relocation to Ordnance Street.

One asks at this point if the MSBCA and GRTU itself considered the impact of the move on the overall image of Valletta and especially on its surroundings which have been just enhanced by the Renzo Piano Parliament and Pjazza Teatru Rjal as a welcome world-class addition to Valletta's World Heritage status?

Granted that Merchants Street, especially with its mini-restaurants in the middle (or what's left of them) is an additional attraction to Valletta. But did it have to push what it did not desire to the most crucial and sensitive site in Valletta which has now acquired increased sensitivity with the addition of the new Parliament?

Anyway, any elation that the MSBCA members may have experienced may soon evaporate when preparations and building works take over to create a huge stone box on top of the St John's museum which will surely cast a shadow on the airy and sunlight-filled street at its most sensitive part.