Had I not read it black on white on the local printed media, I would not have believed the u-turn that the Nationalist government has just done, in going back to hedging the price of oil. This, according to the minister, will now enable Enemalta to retain the surcharge on water and electricity as at present until June.
It’s not that long ago that Labour was in government and had used the hedging of oil prices for the benefit of one and all. This had not only ensured the stability of energy prices for the Maltese households, but also for industry. Notwithstanding the criticism the issue raised over the years, now the Nationalist government, faced with a completely unmanageable energy price situation, has gone back to a measure they so widely criticised and which Labour had adopted and used so wisely.
This is no simple everyday u-turn. This is a conceptual and fundamental reversal of ideas that shows that the Nationalists are in a big mess when it comes their vision. Nobody can deny that the negative effects of the energy surcharge on a sizeable number of Maltese families are disastrous, and that it is eating away at their standard of living. That is however, merely the social effects, but little do we hear on the effects it has on the economy as a whole. Labour was right in hedging the price of oil/energy not only for the social good, but also to aid the economy with all its positive resulting benefits. Indeed, therefore, halving the surcharge is possible after all.
Another issue that gives us more courage in the success of a future Labour administration is the plan we put together for the port areas. Contesting two districts touching both ports, my interest in such plans cannot but be significant. Meeting people on my own campaigning track in turn surprises me on how knowledgeable residents actually are on the issues that involve the port area development. In Sliema and Gzira, I hear of the preoccupations of people, in that this government and its institutions seem to have forgotten that families do live in these development areas and that their interests are also to be safeguarded.
The intended re-organisation of traffic in the Ferries area also shows the insensitive thinking of this government and its institutions – the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Malta Transport Authority – who seemingly want to shift the commercial centre further inland to Tigné. In this respect, I am sure that the present business community of the Ferries will suffer should plans go ahead as scheduled.
On the other side, nowhere more than the Cottonera area has this government neglected the social development of the local communities. Constituents here repeatedly complain that although the Labour administered local councils of these localities do their best to develop the area for the benefit of all, when it comes to central government, the opposite happens.
Labour’s plans for the port area are a clear indication of the seriousness with which the issue of development is being taken by the party. The consultation process that the party undertook showed clearly for whom and to whom these plans are directed. Labour thinks of the interests of all and sundry; for unbalanced development tends to be only of use to one section; at times to the detriment of another. Labour’s policy is clear. Development is for all and everywhere. So that all will enjoy the benefits in an equitable manner.
This again will make us a better government, and not just an alternative one.
Finally, since this will be my last contribution before Christmas, may I take this opportunity to wish all the readers and staff of this newspaper a very Happy Christmas.
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Dr Michael Falzon is the MLP Deputy Leader for Party Affairs