During the past month I continued my house visits in different localities forming part of the ninth and 10th district.

A note that struck me was in Msida and San Gwann. Two councils which, because of a low turnout, are led by a Labour majority. We had the usual dose of cheap propaganda by Labour, on the various promises that had to be maintained within 100 days of election. We were told MLP candidates would have made the difference, and the exam points system adopted by the Labour leader on his visits to the localities always showed they were doing well.

And now the stark reality. After a year in charge, these Labour-led councils are a failure. There has been a difference, one for the worse, with regard to services, sweepers, cleaning, upkeep of gardens and so on.

In Kappara, various letters in the printed media have confirmed my last article in The Malta Independent. It was stated that the San Gwann council, responsible for Kappara, has let down its own residents insofar as cleaning, garden upkeep, road signs and markings.

Keeping the 100-day promises seems hard, and this reminds me of the six-month promises that the Labour Party seems to have got going. All problems will be sorted out in six months after their election to government. If the local level is anything to go by, and the same Labour, new or older, keeps the rhythm, I doubt the validity of this promise very much. To the voters who may opt to go for Labour on this premise, beware, as residents in these newly-led Labour councils are today grumbling on their choice of non-voting. The end product leaves much to be desired.

The same goes to the Msida council. New offices were promised, together with a host of other items, but alas, after one year I doubt if a stone has been turned to have the new offices.

Well, opposition promises become dreams when in government. The residents who opted not to vote in the local council elections are today sorry for their action. Although a message was sent, the end result is more drastic and detrimental to their everyday life.

Ta’ Xbiex residents in a particular street ask why the council, without an ADT permit, painted such long yellow lines when the residents are hungry for parking bays.

Another controversy is the non-membership payment of Jason Micallef, who is contesting for the post of party secretary general again. An important post by all means, one that needed more attention. As were the words of their leader, when he referred to Europe and inbazwru (playing about) with the rules if in government: all of you have a confirmation once again. Statute laws have been changed to accommodate a mistake, or whatever.

The party acts in this manner in opposition, imagine it in government.

A voter, known as a floating voter, hailing from Gharghur told me, do you imagine me voting for somebody to take me to the past? This comment struck me. He concluded saying that, at least, I will be voting to keep what we achieved, and the tranquility that followed, which is priceless.

I really must conclude my article by referring to the Malta Tourism Authority booking website launched. We cannot woo the tour operators, then put in means of competing with them. Foreign tour operators should be helped and urged to increase their business to Malta. This is a repeat of what I said in Parliament in the budget debate.

Here’s looking forward to a good and interesting year.

Robert Arrigo is a Nationalist MP