I start by congratulating sporting clubs in my districts for an impressive run of wins. After Sliema ASC lifted the winter waterpolo league trophy, we had Melita FC winning the football First Division title, Gżira FC the Second Division and Pembroke the Third Division

A well-deserved ending to many a hard worker within the clubs that form part of our sporting family. Supporting these clubs is a pleasure and should be further encouraged. 

However, I must point out that Athleta basketball club is still without their premises, notwithstanding having identified various possibilities, and Gżira FC are still without a club house. These complaints from sport clubs and from the many committee members should be taken into consideration.

Well, the much-awaited 9 May came along and passed. It has been consigned to history as those many dates of an early election have been. New dates are emerging and doing the rounds, with people quoting sources that are reliable. All these dates, and a long six-month saga, have not helped Malta at all.

Besides putting each and every one in a worry mode that helped nobody, it has created uncertainty of no small measure. We have gone from a day where Labour thought it was going to leave Parliament as a party in government to just accepting the money bills that have gone through Parliament and subsequent votes as part of a daily job.

To criticise is not a sin. The Nationalist Party is open for discussion, and it seems much more so than the Labour Party. We might be led to think that it is only the Nationalist Party that holds discussions; its parliamentary group meetings are often reported. Have you ever heard about what was said in Labour Party parliamentary group meetings? The answer is a definite no.

We now know how these are conducted and how the decisions are rubber-stamped. A Labour MP, who has found himself uncomfortable within his own party, has spoken out.

I much prefer the outspoken way that we have in the Nationalist Party, and me being me, I relish the occasions when I can call white as white and black as black. It seems that my few occasions of expressing the feelings of my constituents go directly to the media and get quoted all over. It must be that these comments make sense and are relative in today’s life – from the slow puncture comment to the free spending of taxpayers’ money.

The expression of voters’ concern is vital. These public monies should be spent on, for example, extra operations to serve our people, as was pointed out to me in many house visits, and maybe add on some more scholarships too.

Some great news was forthcoming from the IMF too. Malta, as was expected, has a good rating and very probable growth factor. It is a different story in other countries in Europe and in the world, where there is a minus situation forecasted. What happened here did not happen without hard work and dedication.

Growth can be achieved and the newly-opened aviation park can be a further possibility. Only the past week I met a young chap who told me he is working with one of these newly-established aviation operators. He told me he is a living example of the system – from MCAST to opportunities that would have otherwise been blocked by the Labour Party. We saw the MCAST closure and we saw the no vote for European membership. These are both mistakes that Labour has to carry on its shoulders and no marketing will ever gain forgiveness from youngsters who wanted to study, learn and work.

How wonderful to have the Sliema local council back in its rightful place. Mayor, deputy mayor and councillors are there to meet with the people and some actions have already been taken. Albeit for a one-year term, this augurs well for us Sliema residents. Excellent feedback is being felt all round.

A parting note is a plea not to change the landscape in St Julian’s and Sliema as we know it.

And permit me a comment on the elections with a background of football. Manchester City ousted Manchester United, the blues beat the reds, in the last minute of extra time. I wonder if this is a forthcoming omen.

Robert Arrigo is parliamentary assistant in the Finance Ministry