After experiencing Nationalist Government for 24 of the past 27 years the Maltese people yearned for a change in direction.  They wished for a new beginning.  Their desire for change was so high that during the last weeks of the electoral campaign it seemed inevitable.  The writing was on the wall.  At the end of the day the polls, which had been forecasting a Labour victory with a big majority, were proved right.

In the general election held last March the voters gave the Labour Party a strong majority both in terms of votes as well as number of seats in the House.  Never, in recent memory, and definitely not since independence in 1964, had a political party made such a strong showing at the polls and achieved a political victory of such big proportions, as the Labour Party did under the leadership of Joseph Muscat with the political battle-cry of Malta Taghna Lkoll. When the results were announced, a local English language newspaper described the outcome as ‘Wipe-out’ in bold and big letters across its front page. That said it all.

The March elections left the Nationalist Party stunned, embarrassed and in complete disarray. After the resignation of Lawrence Gonzi as Nationalist Party leader and other senior party officials, the PN is now picking up the pieces by electing a new leadership. Given the role the new Leader of the Opposition played in previous elections, including lately as deputy PN leader, he doesn’t feel that new. But we wish him well.  It is in the interest of Maltese democracy to have a strong opposition.

After having thrown the Nationalist Government out of office the electorate now wants action. The strong desire shown by the people before the elections to bring about change is now being exhibited in their yearning to have their grievances addressed and injustices remedied.  Those in the public sector expect to be given the promotion which they were denied for no justifiable reason, or to be sent back to the department from where they were transferred without their consent, or to be allocated housing to which they were entitled but never given.  They want government tenders to be awarded in a just and fair way and not in an abusive manner.  In other words they want justice.  And rightly so. 

Change takes time but, time is one commodity which those who suffered injustices have in short supply.  They want matters to be put right immediately, if possible yesterday. And I sympathize with them because these people have been suffering injustices that date back decades.

Now that I am working within the system I am convinced more than ever that the public service needs a complete overhaul.  It is bogged down with practices that are no longer valid in this day and age.  Bureaucracy still reigns supreme.  But we will fight bureaucracy as we promised to do during the electoral campaign.  The government is to appoint a Commissioner to trim bureaucracy and red tape without in any way undermining transparency and accountability.

It’s worth adding that for all the people whom an Industrial Tribunal or the Commission for the Investigation of Injustices found in their favour will be given their due. Justice will be done.  We owe it to those people who have been suffering for years. 

Dr. Ian Borg is the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds.