It had been a long time since Labour were in power. Twenty-five years, give or take a couple. A grand party was well due in order to celebrate the success of the big victory
To start with, the public were told to keep it low, not to make ” xenati u xalaturi” that go on and on and show up the party in a bad light. Their obedience was held up as an example of the new Labour and the new way of doing things to come.
Precisely. The party will happen, but it will be one for only the invited guests. The venue was chosen, one that would reflect the social tone of the occasion and some billboard favour, the food was catered to last and last for all the hungry bellies, all the invitees turned up dressed to the hilt, red trousers and all and away they went.
They soon attacked the buffet and filled their plates, getting second helpings and more.
The rules were set aside and revelry was the order of the night.
The cheese board was brought out. Still the party goes on. Liqueurs and espresso are on the table. Still the band plays. Never mind the neighbours. It’s their house and their party and they can do what they like. Let’s dance! And there are all those trips abroad to talk about.
As the hours go by, it seems that no one is ready to leave and go home. The host is still partying away and shows no sign of calling it a night. Likewise the guests. Ultimately, they give up on any thought of leaving and make themselves comfortable on the sofas and lounges and try to find another joke to tell. No-one will be the first to make a move, no matter if the Mrs has had enough.
Here are those insecure and never satisfied people who do not know how to function individually. They move around in groups or tribes and find gratification in being admired and narcissistic. No matter that the party should have been over long ago, the place smells, the dishes are still to be cleared, and there is need to search for that last bottle of martini that is left over from Christmas. Still they hang around and pamper each other.
And in the meantime, they think, the rest of the plebs can continue in their brain-washed state and function on auto-pilot. Everyone who mattered was thrown bits of food from the table, some got doggy bags. The police were there to cater and the prison came in handy too for entertainment.
Around us the roads stink, there are total black-outs, Libyans come in and out of the country to join the party, and we have no idea who they are but since they are met right off the plane by the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, then it’s ok. Children stroll out of nursery school, teachers get accused of all sorts of indecencies by some well-trained pupils, docile and non-violent protesters get sent to Mount Carmel for psychological examination.
The environment is in total anarchy, no where left to breathe or drive or park or have some decent quality of life. Our heritage being demolished by the minute. The important thing is that we can show off our wealth and drive our SUV through the right streets. The hunters have the countryside to themselves from pre-dawn to dusk and forget picnics. Even the trees have been removed to make sure that no families think of venturing out for the day. The parks are closed or abandoned enough to discourage any sane parent from taking the children there lest they are reminded of a time when family life was at the centre of policies, pre-divorce.
The economy is a total fabrication. I am just amazed at the ability of the Minister of Finance to come up with the versions that he does. Plasticine. It changes shape and contour according to how he sees it. Maybe he can take some of that plasticine to the party for them all to play with. Let’s see what figures they come up with. Unemployment covered up with public sector jobs whilst redundant staff are left without even a mention. The deficit climbs higher and higher but all is well. If it isn’t, then it’s the fault of Gonzi-PN. Childcare centres are to encourage more women to join the workforce but Chris Fearne wants the mothers to breastfeed their infants.
We are not to worry though, because the country is rich with millions from the IIP scheme. There will be plenty of money to go around. You will never have to beg again for a job or a house or a refund on Vat. The electricity reductions are amazing! This is what the country needs not silly investment and jobs and funds from the European Union. The economy will be transformed on the back of the water and electricity reductions and Malta will become the envy of all of Europe.
Joseph is in charge. All is under control. So much so that his attitude is one of boredom, or, as Hillary Clinton said of Putin: “When you are with him he often acts as if he couldn’t care less; he’s not interested. He acts bored and dismissive. So he has a lot of personas that he pulls out.”
The local council elections are a nuisance. They take him away from the party because he will have to campaign again. And since his councilors or PL members cannot do it alone, he will have to take centre stage again. What stunt can he pull this time? He already did the Simon – Joseph contest. Anyway, nobody in their right mind would vote for anything other than their upstanding Labour councillors so what need is there to have the paltry elections? If I were the PN, I would say “thanks for the walkover”. One for the PN. Have the PN realised that this gives them a Pass Go and Collect €200 card? And indeed, with all the favours and licking going around, would it have been a fair contest? What is fair these days? The vote was given to 16-yearolds but no issue that they will be 21 before they actually vote.
What does it matter if all around us the international order as we know it is going to pieces? What if the horrific brutality of Isis may be on our own doorstep? We have China for our friend now. We have people of talent amongst us. We are the anointed ones of the Mediterranean. Switzerland in the Mediterranean. We have CHOGM and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge coming to visit. If some terrorists come to us, we can surely find them a good residence and set them up with a private escort.
For those who rely on public transport – tourists or locals, all is well, they say. The total mess that is Public Transport currently beggars belief. Minibuses, coaches, a variety of buses, and drivers to boot, without proper regulation, with the rudest of attitudes and the lowest manners and manner of driving amongst some, which you have to experience to realise the complete disorder going on. Another public service not serving the people.
However, if you need electricity they will provide you with a smart meter anywhere and anytime. Just ask for the model you want – the one that counts consumption or the one that doesn’t. That will be sorted out smartly.
Should you need the hospital, your overnight bag should include a camp bed. It was all very well to criticise and shout about systems put in place under the PN government to alleviate the problem. Now as long as it is nothing like what was said before, anything can be allowed. Luckily there is Konrad Mizzi at the helm so all is good. Waiting lists and medicines out of stock can get the plasticine treatment.
Gozo is now up and running, with our taxes pouring in to the island. Either the ferry is being offered at low cost or free, or it is running on double-priced fuel – what matters is the contracts for the party-goers and the week-enders in the farmhouses.
The Firm will sell it all to the people. Australia Hall will provide the funds and any shortfall will come from some other public land or foreign company raiding our coffers.
Nobody is going to see anything, nobody is going to say anything and no-one is going to hear anything. They have all the information on us they need. From infants to adults. Where there is something that does not fit, they will send us to Mount Carmel or get us arrested. Statistics for mile-end to feed in. Profiles and demographics to manipulate and re-gurge in 50 shades of blue.