One of the many figures in Greek mythology is Cassiopeia. She symbolised beauty and talent, but also arrogance and vanity. She was much admired, but her arrogance eventually led to her downfall.

Arrogance makes people believe that they are indispensable. Although faced with evidence showing otherwise, they continue to indulge in self-praise. In the end, they start believing their own projection of reality and become deluded.

It is something that can easily happen to public figures. Some don't realise that with the passage of time, the world around them is no longer the world they knew years ago. They stick to the same old worldview, with the same proposals, with the same arguments. They answers questions that are not being asked while completely ignoring those that are being asked.

This mind frame is being displayed by the Opposition today. Their most vocal of speakers still speak as if they have a divine right to be in government. They look down on people simply because these people decided that they are no longer the best option for them and their families. They try to humiliate them directly, going as far as insulting their intelligence with blatant distortion of facts and reality. A case in point, is when some of the Opposition spokespersons state that the economic boom is an illusion or that the number of employed is increasing because they are given government jobs.

A not so recent phenomenon was that some individuals who nowadays seem to be calling the shots for the Opposition use despicable language to address their political opponents. If the same kind of language is used for people of different ethnic groups or religious belief, it would be considered as being highly racist. However, it seems this type of adjectives is acceptable as long as they are used to those supporting the Labour Party.

Time will tell us whether this attitude will continue or will be the undoing of the people that use it. Much depends on the level of maturity of the audience. We are maturing fast as a nation and have the ability to distinguish between constructive criticism and negative criticism, whose only aim is to reverse the clock.

As a government, we might not be perfect. We never said we were, and unlike others, we do not think we have a divine right to be in government. We are always open to work with all those of good will and those that are prepared to work with us. We constantly back this claim with action. This positive type of attitude not only is morally good but it also guarantees that human resources are maximized. The economy benefits but also the individual will benefit as he will feel part of something. Contrary to the leader of opposition who seem to transmit anger, we try to engage with people because we believe we can understand them and they can understand us. We believe that we can continue to take this country forward by discussing policies, embracing individuals and not by raging and creating barriers between us.

The results of this attitude are there for all to see. This government offers maturity and stability. Numerous reports by international agencies and the European Union state that the policies adopted by this administration are the right ones, and the statistical office has just confirmed that Malta has registered a surplus in its fiscal year. For a whole generation, this is something which was unheard of as they were born and reached their adult lives witnessing only deficits in public finances.

Both on a national level and in Gozo, steady steps forward are being made. Are the great majority of people living better than they were doing four years ago? The answer is yes. The great majority know what this government has achieved and it did so without arrogance. What a contrast to the Opposition.

I wish you all a Happy Easter.

 

Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo