Is it any surprise that the Union Haddiema Maghqudin will not join with 11 other unions in the protest to be held on 28 February against the new electricity and water tariffs, which also includes a new drainage tax? I was not surprised at all. They say it is not the time. Even when the government introduced these higher tariffs, as from 1 January of this year, was not the time.
Not only these were introduced at the most inappropriate of times, but they were still unannounced until just a few days ago. For the UHM, it is never the time to protest as long as in government there is the Nationalist Party. They have every right to be part and parcel of the Nationalist Party but please stop pretending to be independent and free from any political allegiance.
The government decided unilaterally and now that the fray is on, the so called discussions started weeks after the decision was taken. Can we take these discussions seriously? The government should have agreed with all concerned beforehand and not try to mend things after they came into force.
Returning to the UHM, particularly to my friend, their secretary general, those who watched Net News had the opportunity to hear him play the same tone of the Nationalist Party. The PN and its allies are criticising the unions, especially the General Workers Union, for organising this protest. They are also criticising the Labour Party for confirming its participation in this national protest.
The UHM secretary general did the same and used the same words. A very independent union leader indeed! I say this because I am sure that many members of the same union are not happy with this situation and will also take part in the national protest against the electricity and water tariffs.
The carnival is still on
While the participants of the carnival are still not sure whether they will be in a position to take part in next year’s carnival due to the fact that they have no place were to construct their floats in spite of all the promises made by the Nationalist Party in government, we have another carnival going on. This one is more serious, in my opinion, because we are talking about millions of euro belonging to taxpayers.
The Valletta project, that of building a new Parliament and leaving the site of the Royal Opera House basically as it is with no roof, is still very much debated by those who have Valletta and culture at heart. A couple of days ago a petition signed by almost 130 artists was handed to the prime minister. In this petition they once again urged the prime minister to reconsider his position regarding the open air theatre.
The prime minister had just returned from Paris accompanied by Minister Gatt where they met with Architect Renzo Piano to basically confirm to him that the project is going to remain the same. The prime minister could have sent him a message as he did to his colleagues who were not appointed ministers or at least sent him an email. But of course it is always nice to pay a visit to Paris apart from the fact that he wanted to be polite to this renowned architect.
When asked by a journalist about this petition the Dr Gonzi wanted to sound polite to them and said that he was open to discussion. Open to discussion? So why on earth did he go to Paris to confirm to the project’s architect that everything is going to remain the same? And that is why carnival is still on. Dr Gonzi is changing his mask all the time according to whom he is talking. This shows that he is in power because he is the prime minister but for sure he is not in control. Just in case ask his backbenchers!
A general conference with a difference
This year’s Labour Party’s annual general conference was a success in every sense. The way it was organised and the issues debated were very important and well debated. However the cherry on the cake was the concluding speech by party leader Joseph Muscat. It was a visionary speech and very positive and forward looking too. He chose not to mention the prime minister or hot issues which are currently being debated. Joseph Muscat concentrated solely on the work that the PL has to do in the coming weeks and months especially now that the movement of progressives and moderates is born.
It was a real pity that the so called independent media opted to gatekeep parts of the speech which according to many were at the heart of Muscat’s remarks. This was also done by the so called national station TVM. I dream of an objective media where everyone is given a fair an equal share. But it seems that this is still a far cry. And thank God that we claim that we live in a democracy!
Carmelo Abela is Deputy Speaker and Labour main spokesperson for industry and foreign investment
Email: [email protected]