The scene is set and done and the curtain has been raised.  By now, the method and roadmap of the Labour Movement is exposed and generally a subject of public opinion or a matter of routine.

Much has been written and will continue to be written, locally and internationally online and in the media.  Opinions have been expressed from the common person on the street or from the younger wannabes in the latest “lounge bar” sipping cocktails or red bull, to the TV shows, offices and coffee mornings and not to mention by those having a “coffee and pastizzi” in our V18 capital amongst the pigs of plaster.  

Certainly, there are many amongst the labour constituents who see quite clearly and realise that much of what Joseph Muscat’s labour party in Government are doing, clashes with their own value system and is largely disappointing.  They see very well that making hay whilst the sun shines is brighter for some than for others.  In their vast majority, though, the Maltese people remain passive about most things that do not relate directly to them or that could jeopardise the state of play.  In other words, they will not lose thought and energy over a crooked road map, even when it leads to a bumpy road with a haunted house at the end of it.

The Prime Minister though, has already seen beyond the present predicament towards a looming loss of fortune.  The cost of living in Malta has started spiralling and overheating very quickly, much like the climate.  Talking about reports from years ago, at the speed with which the economy has transformed recently, is useless and even that shows alarming realities.  People know this.  Many are reluctant to admit they face difficulty in their financial position or that they should economise on expenses.  Especially where their children are concerned.  If the people know it, you can be sure that Muscat knows it too.

The question we are already facing is – can we afford it?  Can we continue to allow our good name and reputation to have dropped to levels of corrupt countries or to give up the remaining land and livelihood of farmers and small businesses?  Crime has become rampant and it is clear that one of the industries that is flourishing in Malta is the drug trade and creating money from nowhere at the expense of others.

By now Labour have lost their credibility but they are running on reserve.  This is what Muscat sees and where he is endeavouring to plug leaks and top up good will.  The benevolent acts that he has demonstrated recently, from the ALS contribution to the restoration of the statue of Christ the Redeemer to the €5 million to Puttinu Cares organisation, are signs of panic and probably the latest advice from his campaign executives to improve his profile and that of the party.  Again, he recently paraded his family whilst on tour in Australia and is reverting to a form of re-asserting himself as the focal point of the party possibly with a view to the Local Council and MEP elections coming up so that he can show he can still deliver in spite of Pilatus-gate, Vitals and raided monuments.  His recent claims about making way in the party for the next leader may have backfired on him and he needs to market himself again as the magic-maker, the glue that keeps the party together and the only one who can protect the people from bad elements and from protest and soothe their concerns.

At the other end of charity, the tragicomedy of the Paqpaqli incident and other bad events that seem to be going in every wrong direction, have to be compensated for by generous donations of our money and to supplant the Church and turn charity into business.

The middle class bear the largest share of the burden of the cost of living.  They have not been able to convert a midget house in a forgotten street into a block of studio flats for rent because the house they own with the rest of the extended family is occupied by a tenant (who probably could afford to build up some other property inherited from an unmarried uncle or aunt) that is still paying peanuts for rent due to the rent laws.  Neither can they afford the deposit on an over-priced starter flat in their hometown.  They pay their taxes and have no hidden assets to convert or businesses to drain.  Once there may have been investment in education but anyone having that and wanting to work in a respectable position is probably living abroad now or living on another decade’s salary, from before the time of Position of Trust and before the time of Boards and Committees or Consultants to pump up their salary four times over. 

Amongst the forgotten who struggle to make ends meet and have fallen on hard times, there is a quiet desperation leading to tragedy and injustice.  More and more services are needed to provide for the health and safety of these vulnerable people.  Not only now do the Church have to take on an ever-growing burden but they face insults and aggression all the way to the Archbishop because nobody can out-do the Prime Minister and stand in his way. 

There emerge too, many who face a constant pressure to keep up with the extravagant way of life around them.  At this point, it seems, there are those who are ready to do whatever it takes to not fall back on an ordinary life, even resorting to abortion.

At each extreme there is stress, there is dependency on clientelism, there is egoism and ill health or abuse.  The time arrived therefore, to raid the passport fund and begin to distribute the winnings of the “lottery”.  The system is approaching breaking point and cannot afford anymore bad news.   But rather than taking action against Pilatus bank by shutting it down, by calling the Police Commissioner and clearing the way for investigations to take place, by ensuring resignations are submitted by those who acted against the national interest and against the moral standards and rule of law of a democratic country, and generally cleaning house, we have a sham show of solidarity, narcissism and emotional blackmail stretching from guilt to shame.  Clearly, no woman stands a chance against such a cult and the future of our country lies in the hands of greedy men and a few of their colleagues of the opposite sex.  Silencing women too is handy for whatever plans there may be to legislate for abortion.

Doing business in Malta, living in Malta, working here has become an expensive affair which risks pricing us out of the market.  In the travel industry alone, the costs have risen in a way that they exceed the budget of most tour operators, even those coming from highly developed destinations, whilst in-resort expenses for food, travel and entertainment are having a negative effect on bookings.  If a traveller looks just at the price of the flight, then low-cost airlines will draw the numbers. But if you begin to have some value-added in the way of tours or services in hotels, then that business is already starting to turn away as tourists choose other destinations which give better value for money.

Tourism remains one of the main pillars of the economy and anything that causes scare to the market, whether security or prices, will have a detrimental effect.  An urgent study is needed to look into how the rising costs can be controlled so that we can keep a healthy mixed market.  The uncontrolled building all around and heavy traffic also should be taken into account.

And the same goes for the financial services and gaming industries and foreign workers in general.  The situation is ludicrous with workers unable to afford rent or even find suitable accommodation.  Renting offices is also to be taken into consideration.

Those who have a sense that the economy is about to implode will pack their bags sooner than later and get the hell out of dodge. 

We simply cannot afford to keep going this way, passively ignoring the threat and corruption around us and not bothered if it is someone else’s problem.  Especially not bothered if it is the PN’s problem.  Likely the PN know this and so they tip-toe around this issue and that scandal and dress every policy in “opppozzizjoni pozitttiva”.  It is time for them to see that that tactic is not getting them anywhere and mostly costing them credibility.  Stressing syllables is not a replacement for determined, intelligent and sensitive opposition. 

U ejja, come on.