In a few days’ time, on 21st September, Malta will celebrate its 52nd anniversary since gaining Independence from Great Britain in 1964.

Since then, Malta has been transformed socially, economically, morally and undoubtedly, environmentally. What once served a limited purpose in the middle of the Mediterranean, the Maltese Islands have today mutated into a self-governing and self-sustaining nation with all its aches and pains; adjustments that have of course seen their fair share of winners and losers.

In economic terms, Malta has clearly been a winner. Successive administrations have done their best to promote, invigorate and grow our economy. This economy may have been restrained by many limitations such as size and resources, but some administrations managed to make some cycles more successful than others.

While some politicians pressed the right buttons, others managed to wreak economic fracas. These ‘experiments’ took time to repair and sometimes the attendant costs were high. And yet, all in all, Malta has prospered economically. It must be said that this prosperity was not always fairly distributed, but by and large it is recognised that this is a problem that plagues all prosperous democracies around the world. Politicians must strive harder to find solutions in this regard.

Other major changes have occurred in Maltese society throughout this half century. There has been a social and moral upheaval at almost every level. For better or worse, the Maltese Catholic Church has lost most of its traditional and historic bite. Its diminished status may have seriously contributed to our changing society, one that has become increasingly materialistic, somewhat shallow and particularly individualistic.

But it has not all been doom and gloom. Beyond some cultural anchors that seem to persist in our society, the average Maltese is a much more informed individual. The Maltese have lost a lot of their insular mentality although significant enclaves persist.

Thanks to a forward-looking Nationalist Party in government, our membership in the European Union was a trigger for development and a catalyst for serious reforms postponed endlessly over the years. Much time, energy and effort were wasted in political bickering which in the end was really a wasteful exercise. Amazingly, today, Labour seems to have become new devotees of the EU after so many years of scaremongering.

Our scorecard takes a giant nose dive when it comes to the environment. Since 1960 we have systematically decimated our natural surroundings. These islands have been drowned in a sea of concrete, poured all over the place in the name of progress and economic wellbeing. Life in Malta has become a planning nightmare wrought on us all by both political parties in government. It has been a sad story, one legacy that our elders and we cannot be proud of.

To make matters worse, a change in government three-and-a-half years ago has re-ignited the dying embers of development. New policies and a castrated Planning Authority do not bode well for the last remaining open spaces. Unfortunately, the latest green light given to build those monstrous towers will hang like a noose around this government’s neck. A government that clearly refuses to listen to the public anger and outrage as it digs its feet deeper into this continuing controversy.

Clearly there is a need for political consensus on some very major topics that challenge our country. Sadly, this may not happen given the way the political debate has evolved over the last few years. My appeal is for our political parties to realise it is time to grow up and seize the challenges facing us together in a mature and less partisan way. As a nation, we deserve no less!

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Ms Galea is a PN candidate in the Fourth District