Attributed (wrongly, as it turns out) to Marie Antoinette, who was supposed to have retorted “let them eat cake” when she was told that the peasants could not afford to buy bread, this cynical phrase has come to epitomise a complete disregard by the ruling class of what the hoi polloi might be going through.

I exaggerate of course; this is hardly the French revolution.

However, it is this phrase that comes to mind. The perception of ordinary people is that Gonzi et al have now completely shut themselves up in their ivory towers, no longer caring what anyone else thinks. Well, we warned you, didn’t we, that having the same party in government for over 20 years was not such a hot idea.

What is even more baffling is that this administration continues to play the aggrieved victim. “How could you be so ungrateful? After all we’ve done for you!” As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the Nationalist Party is not used to being unpopular and really has no clue how to handle all this criticism. It’s used to carrying on with its plans, riding high on waves of adulation while everyone blew kisses – so the current state of affairs seems to have upset the natural order of things.

Do I, should I, could I… start to feel a twinge of sympathy for this government, which has landed itself knee deep in poo?

Nah, not really.

The party is over

Desperately clutching at straws to redeem himself in people’s eyes, the Prime Minister has resurrected the Renzo Piano project, which will include the building of a new Parliament on the site of the Opera House ruins. I’m sure that it must have sounded like a good idea at the time (and he could even picture himself, with a dreamy look in his eyes, unveiling the marble plaque to commemorate the occasion just in time for 2013).

However, the public’s scathing reception to this news has taken even me by surprise. It’s not just about the issue of the large chunk of money which will be spent either. What people have really taken umbrage at is why Parliament, and why there?

We want to have a say on what is built there with our taxes, is what the Maltese are saying, and we refuse to be presented with a fait accompli.

The Facebook group (No to House of Parliament instead of Opera House Malta), which opposes this decision, has attracted such attention that a British gentleman has also created a website www.maltaoperahouse.com, thus confirming that Malta’s national treasures are not just “ours”, but belong to the global community.

It always intrigues me when people feel so strongly about something, and in this case, the reason was pretty easy to find. What started as an underlying vein of discontent, is now pointing at a general malaise. The growing feeling of disgruntlement has been simmering for months and has gradually turned into full-blown anger.

You see, it’s not just about the building of a new Parliament – it’s about everything.

It’s about Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries quietly and secretly giving themselves a hefty raise.

It’s about those MPs who weren’t given a place in the new Gonzi Cabinet being “compensated” for loss of income (and frankly this is a good time as any to point out that former Leader of the Opposition Alfred Sant, who also received compensation, should as a point of principle, either not accept the money or donate it to charity).

It’s about huge amounts of money being spent on projects, which have gone so far over budget (Mater Dei, the Manuel Dimech bridge, Dar Malta) that everyone is already predicting that inevitably, the same thing will happen again.

It’s about having our every last euro cent being squeezed out of us with more and more taxes so that the latest grim joke is that “we will soon be taxed on the air we breathe”.

It is because, much to the government’s shocked dismay, people have lost faith in the ability of the Nationalist Party to govern this country sensibly and for the common good.

Those heady days of the “feel good factor”, when the PN could do no wrong and everything which was wrong with the country could be conveniently blamed on the Labour Party, are well and truly gone forever.

Just say no

Let’s face it, our politicians have now lost their lustre; they are no longer the darlings of the herds who flock obediently to mass meetings every five years to pay them homage. (Incidentally, am I the only one who feels that the imagery of all those people gazing with rapt attention at someone on a podium smacks too much of the brainwashed crowds listening to Hitler ranting and raving?).

A lot of things have contributed to the diminished stature of our MPs, and most of it has to do with the behaviour of the politicians themselves. When was the last time you tuned into a parliamentary “debate”? I suggest you do so and then tell me whether the pettiness, rudeness and childish remarks are fitting behaviour for our elected representatives.

Increasingly, politicians are being appraised with a cynical eye and their conduct is being questioned. It started with the theatrics of JPO, continued with the sheer arrogance being demonstrated by Austin, and now the barefaced cheek of Paul Borg Oliver who, because of his “good boy” dimples, still thinks he can come out of the e-mail debacle he created scot-free.

Hopefully, this also means that the day is finally approaching when people will stop revering politicians with that kind of grovelling, sycophantic butt kissing which always makes me wince.

The uproar with which the Parliament suggestion has been met shows that there has been a significant shift in mentality. It is a shift which indicates that, finally, we are heading for a breakthrough because Joe Citizen is taking a stand based not on who is leading the country, but on the issue itself (if it’s the PN, I’ll accept it meekly – “what can you do, ey?”; if it’s the Labour Party, I’ll scream blue murder about lack of democracy).

I have often wished that this country could rise above partisan politics and take stock of government decisions with clear-eyed clarity, freed from the shackles of misguided loyalty or voting obligations. It has always seemed quite obvious to me that, just because one has voted for a particular party, it does not mean that whatever that party does when in government should automatically get one’s complete seal of approval. If it’s a bad idea, and you don’t agree with it – say so. You will not be struck by lightening and the world will not come to an end – although there will still be blinkered individuals who take affront that you have “betrayed” your party and let the side down.

And, naturally, among us there will always be those who have sold themselves body and soul to “the party” – who might cautiously voice their disagreement at cocktail parties in hushed whispers, but are careful to toe the party line in public and in mixed company (“otherwise the others might win next time, ey?”).

But, more and more, this latter group is losing its grip on the sway of public opinion.

That is why this forceful reaction by the electorate against the Parliament idea is so important. It is the voice of a people who are (quite understandably) reacting loudly against a government which is now abusing its considerable power and simply sweeping aside any thoughts of public consultation on projects of national pride.

So, when people say that no, Parliament does not belong at the very entrance of the capital city, what they are effectively saying is that MPs do not need to be more glorified than they already are.

They can very well carry on their parliamentary business in other parts of the city – St Elmo, for example, which is in dire need of restoration, has been suggested as a viable alternative.

Or is one end of Valletta less equal than the other?

The soul of a nation

As for what to do with the Opera House ruins, I am on the side of those who are clamouring for a multi-purpose Arts centre that could possibly include an Academy for the Arts.

If the soul of a people is expressed through its culture, then it is clear from the flourishing Arts scene on this tiny island, that the soul of the Maltese nation is alive and well. Miraculously, despite lack of government funding, creativity has not been trampled or snuffed out, but instead it has thrived through the talents and often personal financing of the artists themselves. Through great sacrifice and long hours spent having to slog away at an obligatory day job, actors, painters, musicians, dancers and other performers somehow still manage to find enough energy to create. For some it is their livelihood but, for most of them, it is all done purely for the love of their Art.

Those who support the Arts either through direct sponsorship, or by flocking to see performances and exhibitions are ample proof that there is enough interest out there. Let us not forget the potential revenue cultural tourism brings with it either.

If for no other reason, the government should acknowledge these artists by using our hard-earned taxes to give them what they have long deserved – a centre which symbolises a recognition of their hard work, where various productions can be put up and where new talent and gifted youngsters can be nurtured to achieve excellence.

It would also be a fitting tribute to Valletta City, which perhaps can one day again become the throbbing, vibrant capital we all want it to be.

[email protected]