I am writing this piece right after the Prime Minister's magnificent concluding speech. I must confess that I am still overawed and positively impressed.

Whoever is compiling the content and syntax of Joseph Muscat's speeches is managing to address all the issues that people need addressed, thoroughly and succinctly. There is no doubt that the creation of these impeccable orations is backed by thorough research as to what is topmost in people's minds at the particular moments in time.

It is this thorough preparation together with the easy, confident manner in which the rhetoric is delivered, subtly spiced up with a good dose of positivity, that leaves the listener spellbound, convinced, feeling good, and very optimistic.

This trail of flawless interludes with the expectant public has characterised Joseph Muscat's time as Leader of the Opposition, made a huge impact during the recent electoral campaigns, and has been instrumental in dragging the Labour government almost unscathed through all the embarrassing situations it has found itself in so far.

The question remains: How real is real, how long will it last if it is real and is it real for everyone or for the few?

And the answer to that question lies in what people are experiencing with regard to their quality of life, the government services they receive, the state of the environment they can enjoy and a thousand and one other things that affect people's lives immediately, and the impact that decisions taken now will have on the future.

So, yes, rhetoric and great speeches are important and indispensable if power is to be clinched and adhered to , and yes, rhetoric can convince the public for quite a while, but it is action, and the nature and results of that action that ultimately give credence to the spoken word, no matter how ably it is put.

I keep saying this because my political experience, now exceeding twenty years, and in both major political parties, has made me very wary of the feelings of rapture good rhetoric leaves me with.

For I did experience the same feelings of rapture when I listened to Fenech Adami and even Gonzi in his heyday, and they both had their good times when their words matched their actions, but especially with the latter, I cannot help but acknowledge the devastation the once glorious

PN eventually suffered under his watch and in spite of all the amazing rhetoric.

The same goes for Dom Mintoff of course. He was an orator if ever there was one and he did have his good days, but...

I hardly ever envy anyone or anything in a material sense because I was brought up to make do with little and to make the best with whatever destiny throws my way.

But this morning I was thoroughly envious of notary and ex - PN Mayor Ian Castaldi Paris's newly-found, unreserved and thorough conviction in the Labour Movement's way of governing so far and in the unconditional trust he has in Joseph Muscat.

I am convinced that the Labour Movement, under the Leadership of Muscat, is the only current political force in this country that can steer the ship to port in these turbulent times. I am also convinced that the government is growing into its boots by the day, and the Labour movement is making a monumental effort to nurture its diversity and renew itself constantly.

But my conviction remains very conditional to the way things are done and to the actual results we can ultimately achieve together.

I still believe that we can achieve cleaner, more transparent governance focussed on long term gain for and across all strata of society, as much as on short term reward sometimes and sadly, only for the select few.

Meanwhile, as a Labour MP, I will enjoy the effects of the injection of optimism, received by what I experienced in the General Conference, and keep on doing everything in my power to keep Malta Tagħna Lkoll alive, and now also Malta Optimistic!