On my last visit to Malta I had the opportunity to go on the Xarabank show and I could not help feeling a sense of déjà vu, as it reminded me of the days of the EU referendum campaign. At times, those days seem so long ago yet on other occasions, it feels like yesterday. I guess it all depends on the mood, the ambience, circumstances…

Not surprisingly, although the topic for discussion was Budget 2006 it somehow turned to whether the EU is to blame for certain economic problems and for such actions like the loss of jobs at Denim.

Indeed, whether one likes it or not, the EU issue will crop up in every aspect of our daily lives. The EU is a political entity of which we are a component part. For instance, over 80 per cent of Germany’s enacted legislation between 1998 and 2004, came through EU Regulations and Directives. This emerged from a reply to a parliamentary question in the Bundestag only recently.

Today this is our reality. Most of the rules of the game are ‘Made in Brussels’. We can face this situation as a challenge and try to make the best of the it, or else we can simply face it with Maltese lethargy and let depression take over. Future generations would end up paying for these mistakes.

After Xarabank

Following the programme an elderly gentleman came up to me and told me he is a Nationalist “min guf ommu”. He used to watch me on Xarabank, he said, and although he detested me, he admired the passion I had for the subject. He confessed that today he thinks I was right on many issues after all. I listened attentively without commenting, but kept smiling. Then, after a few seconds of silence, he asked, “But how can someone like you, who’s been so anti-EU, now work in the European Parliament in Brussels and still appear on Xarabank speaking against the EU?”

This is a recurring question, and he deserved an answer, or rather, information of what goes on in Brussels.

I first explained the difference between being “anti-EU” and being “anti-membership”. This is clear. I never waged war on the EU, I campaigned against Malta joining it.

As to how come I work in the European Parliament, it’s the same reason why eurosceptic MEPs from across Europe sit in the European Parliament.

Members of the European Parliament come from all walks of life and represent the citizens who voted for them. If, for example, the gays or hunters in Malta elect a pro-gay activist or a hunters’ representative to the European Parliament, then that MEP’s job would be to support the interests of those voters. That MEP would have a mandate from these people to push their concerns and fight for their rights – to propose motions, present reports for approval, lobby with members from all political groups and European parties in order to make his voters’ voice heard.

“Why not, we live in a democracy,” he added in agreement. I further explained that various MEPs are elected on such specific programmes that you’ll also find Eurosceptics for withdrawal of their country from the EU, as well as eurorealists for EU reform… They all represent their voters.

Most of these MEPs fight for less centralisation of power and are found in both the left and the right ideological camps. They are found in all political groups.

Indeed, EU-critical MEPs are everywhere. You have a few Polish and French MEPs sitting with the Socialist Group, the British Conservatives sitting with the EEP-ED (Popular/Christian Democrat), many Green MEPs, the Swedish Greens sitting with the Nordic Left in the GUE (Communist-ic) Group, the Independence/Democracy Group, which is a “eurosceptic” group encompassing both withdrawalists and moderate reformists, and then there is also the Union of Nations Group, which encompasses the nearly-far-right parties (the far-right MEPs remain largely non-attached).

So there are people who believe in a different kind of Union with less bureaucracy, less centralisation, others believe in a Greener Union, with more industrial restrictions, and so on… The European Parliament is all about lobbying. It works differently from a national Parliament. Although its legislative powers are very limited, it has a voice that reaches far and wide – because it is an EU institution, along with the Commission and the EU Council.

I concluded our conversation by assuring the gentleman that I have no intention to embark on a campaign to withdraw Malta out of the EU. I respect the will of the people and when the Maltese opted for EU membership, it was not the day it ended, but the day it all started.

Being pro-active from within

The question is: are we, as an island-State EU member, being pro-active enough to be effective from within the EU, particularly in order to have a better EU; one that fits in better with Malta’s needs?

Have we envisioned a future EU that will safeguard our industries, our economic prospects, our future? The future of the EU is again open to debate. After the French and Dutch rejected the EU Constitution, the Commission launched Plan D – D for Democracy, Debate and Dialogue. This formed part of the eurosceptics’ programme. The Commission has also called for a period of reflection on the future of Europe. What future EU do we want? Do we want the EU to centralise more powers? Are we reflecting enough on what alternative EU structure might suit us better?

What is the government doing to promote this new wave of debate? We are EU members now, but all we do is comply at a time when the future is still open.

Why did most of the people prefer their X inside the IVA box in the referendum? Was it a surreal dream of living happily ever after post 1 May 2004? Or was it to be part of something great?

Well, if great it has not become, the EU is at a crossroads and the Maltese have yet to realise that being part of the EU also means helping shape its future political structure.

You cannot always agree. And when you’re inside, your disagreement is better channelled from within. It all boils down to a member state’s democratic control of its own affairs.

For at the end of the day it is up to us to run our country, and if we wish to enjoy the smell of pine trees we need to grow them ourselves. The EU is no magic wand, it cannot turn Maghtab into a pine forest.

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Sharon Ellul Bonici is a Labour Party candidate currently working in the European Parliament in the political field.