Nowadays, we take our lifestyle for granted. We see people with iPads, laptops, mobiles and all the other latest gadgets everywhere we go. Weekends mean going out and restaurants of various ratings are always full of customers.

25 years ago

Yet 25 years ago, Malta was a totally different place. Twenty-five years ago, the water that was available would be rusty. Twenty-five years ago, a water supply meant filling tanks from the water bowser. Twenty-five years ago, companies were compelled to sign that no one would end up unemployed if a computer were introduced in an office. Twenty-five years ago, to have a mini Mars Bar you had to be a smuggler. Twenty-five years ago, not everyone could pursue their studies at university. Twenty-five years is not a long time. Twenty-five years ago, Labour was led by the same people who today aspire to be Ministers again tomorrow.

Twenty-five years ago, the Labour Party was in office. Despite its cry of being the workers’ party, it worked against the rights of workers. Malta was the antithesis of progress and there was hardly any part of Maltese society that was not badly affected.

Radical changes

through better jobs…

With the PN in government, Malta underwent radical changes. The individual is the centre of the PN’s policies, which means that the standard of living and quality of life was bound to improve. The PN’s policies led to the expansion of the middle class whereas the Malta Labour Party, on the other hand, suffocated the middle class by imposing 33 new taxes during their 22-month period in office in 1996-7. The Nationalist government reduced income tax, thus leaving families with more spending power.

The generation of wealth comes with the generation of employment. The PN was not afraid to introduce new employment sectors to the job market, such as ICT, finance-related jobs and research. As a result, job opportunities increased as well as economic growth.

… and better education

In order for a country to have a specialised workforce, it needs a good educational system. The education system in Malta is not short of investment. Thanks to the PN, new schools are being built and, on a yearly basis, schools are refurbished and enlarged in order to accommodate more students. One hundred schools have been refurbished over a period of four years. Interactive whiteboards have been installed in each and every classroom. The college system was introduced in order to reduce examination stress on students. The University and MCAST grounds he been expanded in order to accommodate more students. In this legislature alone, 20,000 students have graduated from either MCAST or university. More than 1,550 students have been given an opportunity to further their studies, thanks to government scholarship schemes. On a daily basis, the PN government invests €1.4 million in the education system.

Four years ago, the electorate condemned the Labour Party’s “main” item in their electoral manifesto. As we all remember, the Labour Party wanted our children to repeat a scholastic year. Labour did not believe in education. They thought that Maltese children are less capable than others. They encouraged young people to seek employment rather than continue their studies after secondary education. Many students were deprived of tertiary education (unless, of course, they had a “Godfather”!). Most of us remember the reference to a university degree being “insignificant” and being referred to as karta tal-incova. Today, the Labour Party is hunting students for their vote-casting power.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle

The health sector is also a top priority for the PN. The government invests millions of euro in providing excellent health care services, in a state-of the art hospital.

The PN has also invested in other areas that contribute to our well-being. It has opened 33 pitches, open-air gyms at Ta’ Qali, Mellieħa and Qui-si-sana, a sports complex at Ħal Kirkop and other sports facilities which can be used by the local community.

Labour’s opinion on health is vague: it is inconsistent when it comes to health. Senior citizens have been major beneficiaries of this legislature. The Nationalist government is enhancing their active participation in the community. This was made possible thanks to the opening of day centres and night shelters, as well as incentives to resume working even after pensionable age.

Health and culture have been merged by a Nationalist government that has given Malta a new face. Thanks to various undertakings and projects, the PN have provided new spaces where the Maltese can spend their free time. Amongst various undertakings are St George’s Square in Valletta, Valletta Waterfront, Birgu Waterfront and an extension to Ta’ Qali National Park. To further promote Malta’s historical heritage, secondary students (from Forms 1 to 3) have been presented with a student card to entitle them to reduced admission fees at museums and historical sites.

These 25 years have been years of change – change that has resulted in prosperity and wealth. Every sector of Maltese society has benefited, no one has been left behind to struggle with burdens. Hence, the PN is truly the people’s party. In contrast, the Malta Labour Party (with its supposedly socialist ideology and portraying itself as the workers’ party) belittles every sector of Maltese society.

David Agius is the government’s Parliamentary Whip