Following the tedious marathon of the European Parliament election campaigns last May, an eerie silence has descended on the country where people seem to be looking down at their feet as they sit quietly on their bench, feeling slightly embarrassed but still shuffling and scheming against perceived foes and injuries.

Like Suarez’s bite which was not a bite, or corrupted referees which are only following the rules, the spectacle took its course, created its wave and now produces this sense of deflation leaving us wondering what to do next.

Those who, like ferrets in the ground, have a nose for such vacuums are taking every opportunity to make the most of the period of distraction and under the veil of good intent, plans are put in place, diggers set up, cement pours down and don’t anybody stop me now.

Recent cases include projects that could easily alter not only the landscape but also the foundation of our social and economic well being.  We are concerned here not only with physical structures but also political structures that have, like pesky weeds that grow stronger the more you try to uproot them, actually taken hold in quite an alarming way.

All those in the Civil Service, Police Force, the Armed Forces of Malta, the hospital and many other establishments that fall under the authority of the Malta Government can testify to the saga of the big heat.  An archaic, divisive (divide and rule), unproductive, regressive appeasement of the few to the detriment of the many.

This mantra of “justice” for those who have “suffered” is nothing but the perpetuation of a myth which is holding back progress, stability and freedom in this country. Those who cannot tolerate it and have the opportunity to leave have left the island.  Those who remain  have been silenced by the bulldozers.  There is a sense of confusion amongst the people who do not know which way to turn anymore.  Almost like a Clash of Civilizations, the past has come back to the future and swallowed normality and reason and the present languishes morbidly as it tries to justify the current state of affairs.  Democracy has been cheated but who can be blamed?

Around us so many countries are facing terrible injustices, killing, violation of their human rights, eradication of their religion, culture and homes.  The threat to peace is serious and poverty will increase with refugees and destabilized communities.  How can we be silent and complacent and indeed condone the path that we ourselves as a nation are taking in the light of such realities?  For the sake of what do we cling on to a degrading system when we can have so much better?

This year we are celebrating so many historic anniversaries that highlight our struggle and vision for freedom, self-rule and democracy in Malta.  We have a history to be proud of,  a place in Europe that can be seen all around us, in our Churches, our towns, our families and in each individual, whether we speak Maltese or English or come from town or country.  Why throw it away for the sake of some megolomaniac egos?

Manipulating institutions and authorities, messing about here and there, conditioning minds and decisions will degrade our democratic system so that we will not be able to recognize it anymore.  There is a way to govern responsibly, consciously, fairly and with integrity.  The people have grown tired of false intent and double standards from wherever it may come.  The cost to our economy and well being will be great.  The country was doing well, people were economically and socially mobile and the weak were being identified in order to improve things for everyone.  The people deserve to be treated with dignity not theatrical dramas. 

It is time to take stock and review all policies prevailing for the administration of the country.

True leadership is made of courageous decisions at the right time.  It is useless to keep shifting blame.  Bad decisions should be reversed.  Can anyone honestly say that having that tanker in Marsaxlokk is a good idea?  Whatever outcome it is meant to achieve, the method fails to treat citizens with dignity and protect their security.  What is the shame in re-evaluating the current options of the pipe-line and the grid and BWSC and admitting that we are sufficiently served that way?  Not just for our energy needs but also for preserving control of our own power station and the environment.  Or why should it be said that in order to stay in power there should be a compromise of our values and natural heritage?  The world has changed and people’s consciousness has changed too.  What was tolerated in the past has no more right place now.  This has actually led to more and better values.  When you deny the population of a chance to do better there is the real failure of a leader.  Who knows how many parents today are told off by their children about littering, smoking, animal welfare, unhealthy eating, protecting the environment, exercise and more?  It follows that more and more we become sensitive to wrong doing.  And rightly so.

This sensitivity and consciousness presents a serious challenge to the administration.  It may take years to dislodge some entrenched mentalities but at least there had been an awareness of the need for change and many significant changes were in fact made to build a functioning state. 

Some argue that a lighter touch is needed and not just blunt blows.  Indeed, getting the balance right is what it is all about.  Not too hot and not too cold.  Otherwise the backlash will come and all would have been for nought, whilst the loss cannot be retrieved and the damage undone.

The people deserve honesty and good governance.  The long term good cannot be sacrificed for the short-term bonanza of apparent wealth or power.  Everyone must make the right effort to ensure the protection of security, good sense, history and tradition, progress for all within the identity, heritage and values so long and valiantly defended.

We are all responsible.  We are all accountable.  We are all freezin’ Hot.