As they say talk is cheap and perhaps we can agree on this. In fact actions speak louder than words. Talking forms part of our daily life, including us politicians. The party in government is expert in talking and if we had to listen and believe each and every one we might think that our country is perfect. Once again during these last couple of weeks we had a list of capital projects that were announced. Nice talking, excellent images of future works and millions of Euro uttered from Ministers’ lips. But after the media event nothing happens and not even one single project has yet started.

Even those capital works announced in the budget for the current years are still in the pipeline. Capital projects are very much needed, especially during the time of a recession, to help kick start the economy. As a matter of fact other European governments announced and started a number of major projects, while here the government talks and issues press releases and that's about it.

Every country needs a government, but the government is needed to govern and to make easy statements and than nothing happens. Moreover the government needs to govern during the whole legislature and not just prior an election. The Nationalist Party in government is very politically conscious in the sense that in every decision partisan politics and elections are always kept in mind. This is very bad for the country, especially during a recession and difficult times.

It seems that it is also part of a strategy to also distract the people from things that really matter to them. All these announced projects are very nice on paper, but still a long way to go, are meant for the people to discuss and argue about them in order to alienate them from the real and important problems of the country. Of course people have every right to discuss national projects and they do well to do so since ultimately tax payers are going to finance them, if and when they start. However, the trick of the government in all this is not to get people involved and have their say, but to distract them from what is happening in the country.

Meeting the chamber

I always find it very interesting when I meet one of the constituted bodies. The exchange of views in my opinion is very important and to be frank with each other is also healthy. Last week, together with the Leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat, we had a visit by the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry after their annual general meeting. Their President, Mrs Helga Ellul, a very vibrant person, explained the concerns and the work that the Chamber is doing at the moment. It seems that in spite of a number of pending issues with the authorities, still no decision had been taken although in principle every one says yes and shows agreement with the Chamber. She also stated that the economy is passing through some difficult times and that the main target should be to create jobs.

On the other hand Joseph Muscat spoke about the concerns of the Labour Party (PL). The water and electricity tariffs were bad both for the consumers and also for industry and the commercial sector. Recently the price of gas doubled and this also has a negative impact especially in the current circumstances. Joseph Muscat spoke about the lack of planning of the present government, especially with regards to certain capital projects. He said that you cannot say bad planning, because in actual fact there was no planning at all. Very well put indeed Dr. Muscat.

He also reiterated the need to have a free market economy and assured the Chamber that he was not proposing to go back to what was practiced in the past. However, he insisted that the consumer should have his mind at rest that the prices are fair. Finally, the fact that unemployment was on the increase is no good news for the country and a stimulus package as proposed by the Chamber could help in the circumstances.

In my opinion both the Chamber and the PL have a lot of things in common and we should continue to work together in the interest of the country now and in the future.

Escape to victory

It was a very nice occasion to attend the viewing of the famous film Escape to Victory where a number of famous footballers such as Pele', Ardiles and others took part in the movie. Last Thursday during the viewing a very special guest was present - Oswald Ardiles himself, a World Cup winner and a very famous football player, especially for those who are fans of Tottenham Hotspurs.

I would like to thank all those concerned who made this possible and after all the idea behind this was also to raise funds for Inspire, which helps persons with special needs. These NGOs need all the support and help since after all society will benefit from their professional services.

Deputy Speaker &

Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment

Email: [email protected]