First Look at Parliament

Malta Independent Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 00:00 Last update: about 19 years ago

As I embark on what is perhaps the most difficult and demanding task yet in my life, as a Parliamentarian, I cannot but think of what the experience is going to be like.

The responsibility and demands that this task will put on my personal and political life can only be estimated at this point of time and will only actually be accounted for as time and tasks progress. Where I come from and where Labour wants to go are my guides, as are the traditions, values and beliefs of Labour.

I would not be here, were it not for the people who worked close to me to try to put Labour in government and who elected me from two electoral districts; so distinct in their political, social and cultural characteristics. As many are aware, political work is characterised by house calls which I undertook over the last years. I thank all those who invited me in their homes, whether they voted for Labour, for my colleagues or for myself, with an open heart and promise them that I am still available to lend my support.

Labour enters in this 11th parliament in a somewhat negative political environment, where the Nationalists, instead of offering the hand of friendship and cooperation, are asserting an unwelcome confrontationist position. A position clearly indicated by the unsolicited political action of putting Malta on the NATO-PfP books. An action contested not only by Labour, but a lot more others.

I humbly believe that arrogance should not prevail in governments, especially in this government that does not enjoy the support of the absolute majority of the Maltese and Gozitans. One cannot but recall that this government – a government that I have full respect for – is a government of a minimal relative majority of one parliamentary seat, a government that cannot ignore anyone. I strongly believe, with all sincerity, that wherever the need arises, in the national interest, we should cooperate and work together. After all we are a party founded on the principle of “Malta and the Maltese – First and Foremost” (Malta u l-Maltin l-Ewwel u Qabel Kollox). On the other hand, trust and cooperation must be mutual.

This somewhat ominous scenario should not however impede us from being a strong, positive opposition. An opposition that charts a cooperative programme with a positive message of its own. On the same track, we must be a relevant opposition that will not hesitate to take the necessary firm positions in the best interests of our country.

On the issue of pairing, without compromising forthcoming discussions on the issue, I sincerely believe that any proposal made to the opposition should respect and show justice with the results of the last election. The offer tendered by the government for the post of Speaker of the House was not such, and was only intended to protect the interests of the party in government.

If the government wants to sincerely discuss a new way of making politics, we should not only discuss “pairing” in Parliament, but extend the discussions nationally and involve all the Maltese and Gozitans.

May I remind the government that it is obliged to ensure that all take what is theirs in the spirit of justice, that government enterprises are well managed without political favours, that no one is politically discriminated against, that those who have suffered injustices are rightly compensated, and that all feel that they are equal citizens in this country.

And in all this, the government will find an opposition open to constructive dialogue, with a positive political message, a strong and forthright opposition that perseveres in the interests of all the Maltese and Gozitans.