It is hard to imagine that it was almost 10 years ago when we finally became part of the European Union. Since then we have benefitted from far more than the Lm1.5 million which Dr Alfred Sant and all those around him, including the likes of Joseph Muscat, used as a ploy and an excuse why “Partnership” was supposedly the better option. The referendum came and went and, for a time, it seemed as if even these staunch sceptics had mellowed and accepted the result (even though Dr Sant showed us proof he never voted and Joseph Muscat had just finished his series on the nasty experiences of Made in Brussels!)
During these last 10 years, Dr Joseph Muscat actually campaigned and was successful as an MEP, despite his former (?) views on the EU. Alfred Sant left the Labour Party leadership and has now decided to come out of hibernation and stand for election at the next EU Parliament elections in May. Ten years, an eventful decade of change; changing ideals, changing opinions and changing goalposts! But some things never change – true loyalties, genuine consistency and the potential of this people, this nation!
I ultimately made my decision to contest the election taking place on 24 May out of utmost loyalty to the Nationalist Party and through it to the people of Malta. I cherish the fact that I could remain consistent with what I have always believed in and to regard politics as a means to be of service to others.
The experience that I gained in Parliament, as well as by serving as Minister responsible for different portfolios is what I would now like to carry with me to the European Parliament in order to serve as best I can our country as one national constituency within that Parliament.
After nearly a year in office, we are all experiencing the real Labour Party, a party of NO change not one of ALL change! A party that wants to govern because of its urge to wield power; a party that talks about meritocracy and a national feeling of belonging (Taghna Lkoll) yet, today, looks only on a select few. Defiant, aggressive, arrogant and now, in many ways, isolated from our partners in Europe. The change in direction that was promised by Dr Muscat before March 2013 has only materialized in a negative sense. Worst of all, the country is beginning to face the threat of growing unemployment. With nearly 8,000 persons registering for work, the situation is beginning to be one of grave concern to any self-respecting person who really cares for the country and its people. And yet, as far as Labour is concerned, the reaction is: ‘Problem? No problem’. Certainly there is no problem with regard to employment for the chosen few! Just as we are supposed to believe that paying an Enemalta official to buy a tampered meter through which one can then steal electricity, is not corruption!
The election taking place on 24 May offers an opportunity to all well-meaning Maltese persons, irrespective of their political convictions, to send a message to the present government that it cannot continue to ride roughshod over one and all. It is moreover an opportunity to make a choice in favour of MEPs who really believe in being there to serve the nation and the people rather than to simply echo whatever government dictates.
In many ways, this election offers us all the opportunity to stand up for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Dr Zammit Dimech is a Nationalist Party candidate in the forthcoming European parliamentary elections