Malta’s newly elected MEPs had their first official commitment yesterday, in taking part in a MEUSAC meeting.

Only Miriam Dalli (and hats off to her at that) turned up on time, ready and prepared to take part in the meeting on time. Out of the rest, Alfred Sant arrived 50 minutes late and Therese Commodini Cachia over an hour and a half late. Marlene Mizzi had already informed the organisers that she had other commitments, Roberta Metsola also informed them that she had commitments in Brussels and David Casa did not turn up.

During the meeting, Social Dialogue Minister Helena Dalli – and MEUSAC officials who organised the event – expressed their dismay at the low turnout of MEPs and the late showing of others. They are perfectly right.

MEP Dalli said that she will not isolate herself from the people and this is a very good approach to take. The fact that (by our standards) turnout for this election was dismal – 74-odd % and not looking to buck the trend any time soon – speaks for itself.

Just like a lot of other Europeans, Maltese are feeling disillusioned the EU and somewhat disenfranchised. The figures that came out in the run up to the election, showing that the vast majority of Maltese felt that Malta’s needs were not being addressed by the EU (especially in terms of migration), also spoke volumes.

Most of our new crop of MEPs were elected on the battlecry of “doing the best for Malta” and “listening and remaining close to the Maltese people”.

All well and good, but now it is time to practice what one preaches. We have no doubt that some of those who did not attend (or went late) did have other commitments, but what message does that send out?

To Joe Public, the message is simple: “I had other things to do and I could not attend the first full gathering of MEPs in an official setting”. MEPs need to realise that their presence needs to be felt on a local level. While the business taking place in Brussels is important, they must remember that the frontline is always Malta.  MEPs will not only be judged by the votes that they take within the European Parliament, but also on their commitment to engage and be present on a local level.

It is very easy to get caught up in walking the tightrope that they all have to walk, but, as we have said a million times over, it is all about perception and our MEPs must always bear that in mind.