This week, Malta commemorated the gaining of Independence. Forty-one years have already passed since that historic day, and the hoisting of the Maltese flag brings back memories and causes some reflection.
Yet another nationalist government had to lead the negotiations for Malta’s new lease of life. It did so with courage and with vision, to the extent that events in later years, up to our recent membership of the European Union, are a consequence of what happened nearly half a century ago.
This year also marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Nationalist Party.
This vision, that is a hallmark of any nationalist leader and government, still remains today. The joining of the EU and the successful negotiations, despite the setback caused to them when they were frozen for 22 months, gave Malta a new lease of life, seeing the new global realities, the openings for all of us, and the participating in decisions at all levels that may and will affect our daily lives.
No other party in Malta can boast of any such feats. The latest vision to be put in black and white is the document “biex inti tghix ahjar” (For you to live better), where, even after reading its chapters more than once, it constantly dawns on you that there is so much in it that must affect each individual.
No wonder the inti (you) in the phrase is the centre of the vision. Inti, you, whoever you may be or wherever you may be, there is space for you within this government. There are new challenges within our island, within new sectors getting into shape, and even within the broader picture of the EU – opportunities for those who want to grab them.
This is a far cry from the many bodies to which the Labour Party had to turn when in government to try and give people some jobs.
The alternative government’s proposals, printed in the documents that have seen the light of day so far, do not have the vision and the road map indicated by the present Nationalist government.
Vague proposals that just run on the feelings of the people at that moment, promises to arrange everything without informing the voter of how it will do so, or the cost. A truly opportunistic way of doing politics and of playing on the emotions of the day.
A floating voter would do well to compare, listen to the government’s proposals, and follow that vision. The PN in government is the only solution for the floating voter. The floating voter has a greater responsibility in the next general election, as the choice will be between stability in the way forward, against a vague promise to mend everything.
Our newspapers have been full of the feats of our national football team in their game against Croatia. Unfortunately, the joy was marred by the incidents that took place at the end of the game.
Football being the most popular game, it finally had its hour of glory, which is as it should be.
Our main focus should be and remain on the players, who have managed to obtain two good results in the past few months that have helped Malta finally climb up some places in the FIFA ranking.
However, we have still not reached the likes of Andorra and Liechtenstein, two nations smaller than us, who are above us. While we progress in small steps, others are faster than us in the football arena.
We cannot remain with this stalemate for much longer. The benefit of the game is too high a stake. Such good performances can attract back the much-needed crowds, rather than having to turn to the nurseries to take their boys to fill up the stadium.
I wish that everybody will come back down to reality, and do the game of football a world of good.
Robert Arrigo is a Nationalist MP