Stephen Calleja was surprised that, according to the latest survey, people in the 45-55 age group formed the largest proportion of those who will be voting Labour in the next election.

No surprise at all for me as I fall in that category. People my age remember nuns begging at City Gate. My mother, a widow in her 50s, received Lm8 a month, her widow’s pension and she also had me, an 11-year-old, to raise. When the Labour Party was elected in 1971, in the first budget widows pensions were increased to Lm12 a month and in the following budget to Lm16 a month. How couldn’t we be grateful for that marked increase?

Shortly after, vital companies were set up: Air Malta, Sea Malta, Enemalta, Mid-Med Bank, providing work for thousands of people, no matter their political beliefs. Minimum wage laws, maternity leave entitlement, annual bonus, the list is endless and all people of good will know this in their heart of hearts.

All my friends who wanted to enter university did so, whether they were Labour or Nationalist sympathisers. Thousands of plots of land were given to young couples to build their own home. Thousands of flats and houses sold or rented at a subsidized rate for Maltese families. I was not lucky enough to get any government property but I was happy for those who did.

There was a valid, economic reason behind the chocolate, toothpaste, colour TV saga, for the benefit of the country, at that time. Everyone is entitled to his opinion. The Labour government managed to leave the Maltese coffers full to the brim, unlike the situation now!

Mr Calleja, I’ve spent the best time of my life under a Labour government and I fulfilled all my dreams. I’m sure that thousands of others share my opinion, as the survey has shown.

C. Attard

MARSASCALA