The position of the Malta Labour Party on the European Union (EU) has now been clear for a number of years. Although partnership was the preferred option at the time, to turn back the clock would not make economic or financial sense. Malta is now part of the EU and will remain so.

It is also true that much of what the MLP warned about the manner in which the Nationalist Party was negotiating membership prior to the referendum and subsequent general election has been proved to be correct. In many aspects the PN in government did not negotiate properly or chose not to negotiate at all. The recent declaration by the EU representatives that the government did not even ask for any form of derogation with regard to VAT on education is yet another example of this.

Whether one is in favour or against hunting, we cannot forget the manner in which the whole hunting issue was mishandled by the government with the vast majority of hunters feeling disillusioned at being so obviously misled by the PN. The MLP warnings were not heeded. Much the same has happened with regard to the supposed agricultural safeguards which were no safeguards at all.

Apparently, the government knew all along that the protection requested by the farmers (on information provided by the government) could not be requested at all.

The MLP has repeatedly stated that when it comes to good governance Malta deserves better. Malta has fallen behind in EU funding by not being prepared when the crux came. It seems that over the past few years the government has been so overtaken by the necessity of repeatedly putting down the MLP, particularly Dr Alfred Sant, that it has forgotten that its primary role was to govern.

The policy document Pjan Ghal Bidu Gdid published by the MLP has made a number of points on the EU clear. The MLP will be doing its utmost to ensure that the funds promised to Malta do arrive and to ensure that they are spent wisely and timely without any wastage. They will be used for projects our country truly needs.

This is why the MLP will be a better government. The MLP will do what the PN has failed to do by ensuring more funding and, crucially, better and honest spending.

Simon Micallef Stafrace

Valletta