What unites us in Malta and Gozo? That we are Maltese and Gozitans, we are one nation. Together we make up this nation. Our parents and grandparents all worked for Malta to secure Independence in 1964, become a Republic in 1974 and be free from foreign domination in 1979. It was a long, determined and focused constitutional journey dating back to 1919, whereby four Maltese lost their lives. It was a journey which saw some of our brothers being exiled, others separated from their families and some had their lives destroyed. In this context we cannot fail to mention also Manwel Dimech.
Lessons from history
When one looks towards the more recent political history of Malta, a period dominated by two statesmen who, in their respective mode and ideologies, were directed by their call for Malta first and foremost: Duminku Mintoff and George Borg Olivier. Despite their varying opinions, but always through mutual respect towards each other and towards the citizens of Malta, both worked for one voice for Malta at the international scene. They strongly believed in the Maltese and Gozitans and responded, at the right time, towards the vocational call of our nation; a nation with a long dynamic identity which survived through various colonial administrations over the last two millennia. When the government of Mintoff resigned in 1958 and the British colonial government offered Borg Olivier to form an alternative government, he refused out of respect for the ideal which led Mintoff to take the position which he maintained. Mintoff secured millions in the 1970’s from NATO members and the U.K. but the quantum of this amount could not be secured if not thanks to the contribution of Borg Olivier. As a leader of the opposition, and a true nationalist, he proved to be of support to Mintoff in the Maltese Parliament to argue that the amount due by the British Government was not in British Sterling but in Maltese Lira, hence securing more money from Britain as the Maltese Lira was more powerful.
What we should not do in the European Union
The European Union is not a forum where one resorts to make damage to our nation, to our children. We may disagree but we should always keep in mind that the interest of our country comes first. It is the inheritance of our forefathers which they left for our children. Our voice in the EU should be in the interest of our country. One will be betraying Malta and Gozo when one harms our country. It is sheer abuse of the democratic system. One has got all the rights to express and move ahead with his/her opinion in the most unconstrained manner but this has to be allowed within the framework of national respect. Trying to ridicule your country in front of foreigners is a betrayal of the national interest. Unfortunately, in two separate circumstances which took place in recent months, this was the position which some took with respect to the issue of illegal immigration and the individual investors programme. They, deliberately, took a position to harm our country. I am sure that this attitude iss specifically intended to weaken the position of the government of Malta held by our Prime Minister Dr. Joseph Muscat. This government was voted into power to run the country for the coming years by the vast majority of the citizens of Malta, a landslide victory par excellance where the Maltese and the Gozitans made their voice heard. This is the will of the Maltese, expressed clearly through the general elections of last March, a will that all have to respect whether in government or in opposition. One understands that the opposition, by definition, will be the challenging opinion to government but both sides of the House must converge to the ultimate aim of parliament: to govern the nation in the best interest of all.
One voice in Europe
Malta has got six representatives in the European Parliament. Hopefully, the citizens of Malta and Gozo will elect the best six citizens from amongst them to represent them at the EU Parliament. Hopefully, all six will work steadfastly for the national interest. It is true that they will be elected on their respective party tickets, but at EU level partisan politics should be set aside. Let’s agree that we disagree, but we must agree that we want the best for Malta and Gozo. We are one nation. At EU level we have to be united for our rights. We have to be determined to attain and secure the rights of all the citizens. We have to defend what is ours by right. We have to make sure that our assets are left untouched. We are not beggars, but a nation like all the rest of Europe. The diversity of our country from other EU member states is imperative for the EU. Europe is based on diversity and not on conformity. Our dignity and humanity is as supreme as any other EU member states. Our country is ours and the fact that we, a nation known for our hospitality, this does not mean that others can roll over us.
Practical examples
Malta and Gozo are poor when it comes to their natural resources, but they are rich in humanity. The Maltese and the Gozitans are the resources of our nation. They are its human capital. Each one of us is unique and priceless. What our forefathers have attained should not be tampered with. It is ours, it belongs to us. The welfare state which commenced in the Labour government under the premiership of Dom Mintoff has developed over the years such that we are where we are today. This is the wealth that is being shared with other countries. There are numerous examples where our assets are being shared by foreigners; the worse is when we cannot enjoy when we need it. With one voice in the EU, we will prove that we are a mature nation whereby the national interest is our ultimate aim. In the EU we need to fight and work for what is ours and not aim to weaken the position of the Government on Malta. The candidates elected to represent Malta in the European Parliament, irresprective of Party, should work in the interest of Malta in the EU. There is more which unites us as Maltese and Gozitans than what separates us.
Lino Bianco is a Labour Party candidate for the European Parliament elections