A strange thought struck me this week when no one at tal-gazzetti seemed to be talking about early elections and political crises. It seems that over the last few days people have shifted their attention to other things.

Many have been talking about the low temperatures we’ve experienced this week, others were expecting to see snow for the first time, while for many the time has come to have some fun and prepare for Carnival.

Indeed, it’s a known fact that few are those who are really into politics – unless they affect them directly on a personal level or until general election campaigns.

Let’s take as an example the topics brought up on blogs and the social networks this week. The most common subjects discussed in recent days were the ACTA issue, the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the shiny gloves Elaine Saliba wore during the semi-final, rain and traffic jams during rush hours, and the ‘assault’ on two women by an off-duty bus driver.

And here it came, that strange thought of mine: because there is a certain gentleman and his klikka who speak of political uncertainty all the time, a party leader who wants to play it cool but at the same time is scaring people with stability and other surreal crises. But the only crisis I know of is the financial one – nothing more and nothing less.

It is a crisis that has dealt severe blows to European heavyweight economies. Thank God, till now, we in Malta have survived. And while we are discussing shocking-pink gloves and the possibility of snow over Malta and Gozo, our European counterparts are still trying to fathom how to tackle their mountain of debt, their rising deficits, and record unemployment rates.

The Maltese Parliament is currently discussing ways to strengthen the educational system, infrastructural projects are ongoing across the islands, and work opportunities are still flourishing. In Europe, governments are announcing cuts in education, and many countries are still introducing austerity measures.

Then you have Malta’s Labour Party leader saying ‘Listen, we can’t compare Malta with those who are worse off than us!’

Fine, but allow me remind Dr Muscat that thanks to the hard work of the present government, we are now better off than Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Slovenia and Belgium.

Yes, we are one of the smaller members of the EU, the smallest in fact, that achieved great economic results – very much in line with bigger countries such as Austria and France. And yes, while youths and students are protesting in the streets of Greece, Spain and the UK, we have students in Malta who took to the streets only a couple of months ago to celebrate their achievements – students who benefited from stipends in a country that is still investing in its future workforce.

But I forgot: for Joseph Muscat this has taken place “despite the government”. Who cares? It is the huge benefits for students that really count, because it is the interests of the people that come first – not a political game about who gave me this and that.

People are fed up of gloomy preachers, partisan strategies to gain votes and personal attacks on politicians who are splashed on billboards all over the island. Is this the change that people want?

Or do they want valid people in politics who speak their language, who are committed to creating jobs and to leading this country through these difficult times.

Sweet lyrics can be easily sung but it takes years of experience and hard work to attain the voice and tones of a renowned singer. Think about it! And in the meantime cuddle up if it’s still cold out there.

Robert Cremona is a PN candidate for the Qormi local council