The fact that the Nationalist Party and its stakeholders feel they have a god-given right to govern this island is no secret.

This aura of arrogance and incumbency has greatly expanded since Malta’s entry in the EU. Whoever is honest knows well that if it were up to the Nationalists, PL should not be allowed to govern Malta, even in a hundred years’ time, due to the fact that it was against Malta’s membership in the EU in 2004. If it were up to the Nationalists, the PL would cease to exist and this country becomes a one-party State. Week after week the arguments our Prime Minister and other top party officials put forward have become repetitive and extremely boring. They are always built on the fact that PL was anti-EU and PN was right, that it is always right and the PL is always wrong.

Under the Sant administration, the mentioning of concrete proposals was abnormal and Labour was criticized and rightly so. Under Dr Muscat a genuine effort is being made to be different from previous administrations and the goodwill is evident. However, everyone should bear in mind that any party in Opposition lacks the necessary human and financial resources to provide meaty details in certain proposals. Unsurprisingly, the Nationalists are doing their utmost to belittle the Leader of the Opposition and PL’s proposals by using their boring argument that PL was anti-EU and therefore cannot be taken seriously.

During a recent Sunday morning activity in one of the PN clubs, the Prime Minister lashed out at the Labour Party for not expressing itself on a particular issue. If there is one thing in which Dr Gonzi is truly world class and second to none in his speeches is his ability to give the impression that everything he utters is nothing but the truth. However, it turned out to be a very sad day for him as, unexpectedly, John Dalli, his right hand man on that morning, did not hesitate to publicly correct the Prime Minister and inform him that PL did submit proposals on that matter. The Prime Minister looked bewildered and this incident made him look pathetic. How can anyone take this man seriously? How can anyone take him seriously after his U-turn regarding the St John’s Cathedral Museum controversy? A few hours before the parliamentary debate the public was informed that the project had been withdrawn. Whoever is worth his salt knows well what was going behind the scenes.

I conclude by referring to the opera house site saga. Clearly, the Nationalists are in a minority on this one. I was so glad to hear Dr Joseph Muscat say that he personally prefers an opera house and/or a cultural centre. Some so-called experts have said that the site is not large enough to accommodate a proper-sized opera house. Some others are saying the opposite or else proposing that if that is so than the site could be extended towards the right on what is now a car park.

I suggest the PL should make capital out of all this in the national interest by taking advantage of the fact that NGOs, unions and the evident majority of the public are against a new parliament building. Labour should do its utmost to bring together all those who have the power to influence the public on this matter, campaign heavily against this project (building of a new parliament house) in all the sections of the media and force the government to call a referendum. There is no way on earth the votes in favour of the parliament building will even be close to a majority.

One thing is certain regarding the opera house site controversy. The new building will be completed as promised in four years’ time – right before the next general election.

Michael Portelli

ATTARD