The day after tomorrow Malta will commemorate the tenth anniversary of Malta’s accession to the European Union. On the same day workers will mark Workers’ Day. Today no bones of contention remain on either of these national events. On the same day at home we will remember with fond memories my father who passed away a year ago.
Over a span of 40 years, Malta became an independent state in 1964 and a member of the European Union in 2004. In between these years, Malta became a republic and saw the last of the British forces leave the Islands. Looking back, these four national events materialised and came into effect in a relatively short span of time.
People my age or older had the privilege to see and live through these historic moments which saw Malta earn international recognition and respect, as we stood the test of time. Today our leaders, on our behalf, can pride themselves as they stand equal to any other state leader within the European Union and elsewhere.
It is the hard work of our great leaders who had the courage, the determination and the vision which earned Malta the present status which next Thursday we will celebrate. Unfortunately, though we celebrate, certain divisiveness which festered before these historic events were achieved is still clear in the memories of many.
When Malta gained independence, I was four and do not have any recollection of the birth of our nation. For years after, the Independence Day celebrations were an opportunity for my parents to make the event a family outing. I still recall uniformed personnel fainting under the scorching sun at the Independence Arena whilst doing their drills. When I was still quite young I used to be all eyes, waiting to spot my uncle, in his starched army uniform, march by. In the 70s, unfortunately, this historic day attracted violence. As there was no other way of wiping out the birth of our small nation, socialist thugs, often assisted by members of the police, resorted to violence to mar the Independence Day celebrations. In 1974, Malta became a Republic while, in 1979, a Labour Government pushed for Freedom Day when the last of the British troops left the Islands.
In 2004, Malta became a member of the European Union. I had the privilege and the honour to contribute towards this goal. Years earlier, the General Conference of the UHM adopted a pro-European Union stand. The UHM, being the second largest general union, shouldered the responsibility to convey to workers the best option for Malta as the largest general union supported the Malta Labour Party’s proposition of Malta as ‘Switzerland in the Mediterranean’. The at times heated national debate left no stone unturned. However, the people’s will was clear enough in the referendum though, against all wisdom, Dr Alfred Sant then Leader of the Opposition claimed that the Malta Labour Party won the EU referendum. Fortunately, common sense prevailed as Dr Eddie Fenech Adami managed to control his supporters and a blood bath was avoided. Ten years later, this is all water under the bridge.
Right now, the race for the election of MEPs is officially on. The leaders of the two leading political parties are rallying their troops and working round the clock in their respective constituencies. The finishing line is set for Saturday 24th May.
The result of the coming MEP’s election will throw a light on the performance of the two leading political parties. However, it would be wrong to take the result of this election as an identity kit of the coming general election. Presently, loyal PL supporters may want to show their frustration at their party while aggrieved PN supporters may still want to rub salt the party’s still open wounds and abstain or vote for the PL candidates again. AD may find this situation to work in their favour.
At home we have already received the voting document. I will not frame it nor will I leave it in my pocket. Eligible voters are expected to choose the best six out of 33 candidates who have gallantly came forward to serve the best interests of Malta at the European Union Parliament. The PL, the PN and AD have selected candidates who in one way or another have distinguished themselves in their respective profession, career or in the political arena. This makes it even harder for voters to select the best six candidates.
What I find rather incomprehensible is those local staunch European sceptics and their mouthpieces who, 10 years back, had made everything in their power to keep Malta isolated and block local citizens from gaining the benefits of European Union citizenship, are now militating to get elected in the European Union Parliament. Some cheek, I say.
Rightly so people will make their choices and have the final word. Hopefully our future is not left to chance. A clear distinction between those who have worked in favour of Malta in all circumstances and those who intended to use us as their spring board is very clear to me.
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