The last three years have been exceptional, with great achievements from the present Nationalist Party Leader such as the introduction of the euro, the opening of the new Mater Dei hospital, the success in negotiations for a e855 million financial packet from the European Union, 225 new factories approved by Malta Enterprise, the lowest rate in unemployment registered for many years, SmartCity with 5,600 new jobs, Malta being declared as the second country in Europe as far as ICT is concerned, construction of new schools and colleges and the upgrading of another 138 schools. As well as the reduction of taxes, 120 new environmental projects, the building and resurfacing of 950 residential streets and other streets in industrial zones and the construction of arterial roads between Hal Far and San Lawrenz in Gozo.

Prime Minister Gonzi and his government have changed the face of Malta, structurally and economically.

I have been following the Nationalist Party for more than 60 years. There were times when the party was labelled pro-Italian, other times it was labelled the party for the rich or for businessmen and for a while the party was labelled as the curia party. But whatever the political stunts, the party was always known as the Nationalist Party which strived for nothing less than the best for the country and its people.

This, unlike the Labour Party, who change according to the times and convenience, from Labour to Socialists, to New Labour and back to Labour. The PN was always consistent in its beliefs and political philosophy. Every milestone in the history of Malta, whether national or international, was achieved by the Nationalist Party.

From Independence, to European Union membership to the adopting of the Euro; all these historical events were achieved under a Nationalist government. Labour might claim Republic Day and Freedom Day, but none of these could have happened unless there was Independence first. Labour wanted integration, not independence, they wanted partnership not European membership, and they were against the introduction of the euro. It is only politically convenient for them to say that they only accept it because the majority of the people do. The people still cannot trust the half-hearted style Labour politics.

There were many more instances which today have positively contributed to a strong Maltese economy and a high standard of living, but most of all to democracy. Labour was against free enterprise – from importation of chocolate to quotas for importation of new cars; Labour believed in complete government control, no fewer than 108 factories, with commercial or industrial activity, were owned and run by the socialist government. Exams in primary and secondary schools were eliminated, a decision that sent our children back years in their standard of education. A large number of degrees and university courses were removed, the numerus clausus was introduced and our students had to go overseas to get their degrees. We had the doctors’ lock-out and people had to get service from foreign doctors who could not even speak Maltese. That, briefly, was Malta under Labour, not to mention the violence during their years in government.

During all these years the Nationalist Party was not only led by respected politicians but produced political icons the like of Nerik Mizzi, George Borg Olivier, Censu Tabone, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Guido de Marco, Eddie Fenech Adami and, now, the seventh political PN, icon Lawrence Gonzi. Political parties are judged mostly by the integrity of their leaders, who at one point or another leave their mark at national or international level.

These are the people that make us Nationalists proud to form part of this great political party.

Everything that helps providing the highest standard of living was introduced by Nationalist governments – education, social policy, employment, IT industry, tourism, new airport, new power station, new water distribution system, new telecommunications system, new banking system, over 10,000 students in the University, the MCAST... the list is endless. Local councils were also introduced by a PN government and Labour took six years to accept them and still claim that they are not sure whether to keep them.

The Labour Party can claim pride on the new pavements project at Bugibba they had constructed 10 years ago; besides that, they did nothing else, except perhaps, 22 months of fighting between themselves and calling each other traitors. This is in a nutshell the Labour Party’s achievement in the last 25 years.

Pawlu Aquilina

St Paul’s Bay