There are a number of cities in Europe which have a similar or larger population than the Maltese islands. These include Dublin, Antwerp, The Hague, Bristol and others.

The list of larger cities goes on to populations from 1 million to over 8 million. Maybe we consider the whole of the Mediterranean sea to be part of our territory, allowing us to alter our perspective on the world stage, but in fact, we are here, on a tiny island the size of a district or smaller. Do we really need all the drama and complications to run our country efficiently and successfully and are we losing sight of what is going on around us?

Neighbouring countries are facing evolution and strife, terrorism, natural disasters on a regular basis, political upheaval, unemployment on an unprecedented scale, downgraded economies and really uncertain futures. Superficial interviews are held to consider the potential risk that our country has to this threat or that calamity around us, only to basically dismiss it without proper debate, rather than to assure us that there is proper understanding of the implications for us. Do we need to set up some special units or committees such as the COBRA in the UK? COBRA stands for Cabinet Office briefing room A. Cobra meetings are held in Downing Street, within Cabinet Office buildings. In most cases, Cobra is convened as part of the civil contingencies committee, which plans government responses in times of emergency.

Ironically though, as the weeks go by, we are being directed towards looking more and more inwards. Our place, small though it is, is shrinking even further, as we choose to isolate ourselves with complete disregard for cultural values that have formed us over the centuries and given us our place amongst Europeans and democratic nations. Politically too, what was once regarded as integral to our growth and prosperity has become a jungle of the sort found at the Monte Kristo zoo.

In time, we will lose our confidence, become more and more obsessed over personal issues, stoked by the attentions and indulgence of the prevalent powers, allowed to ferment and multiply freely. Anything happening around is just a nuisance, a noise, an intrusion that can be brushed aside. Only our poor matter, only our rights count.

This is regressive thinking leading to a failed society. Power is placed in the hands of one individual or group and my voice is stifled and my concern and opinion are ridiculed or deemed negative. This mentality is what leads to massive immigration, especially amongst qualified persons who can find jobs overseas. In turn, our GDP is weakened.

Is it possible that we are even having to argue the issue of the location for the market, on the top part of Ordnance Street? Would any normal, sane, responsible authority even contemplate such a choice? First we had the tanker in Marsaxlokk bay, ruining the touristic fishing village for all, now this joke - not the market itself but the idea of placing it adjacent to the Parliament - in our capital city.

Do we really even need to have a polemic about abrogating the law which allows Spring hunting? What do we need to explain about killing?

Killing is very much what they know in North Eastern Nigeria or in Sudan and Libya. France is assisting Chad presently in attacking the Boko Haram and over 200 Islamist militants were killed in the ground offensive. The Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli was the site of an attack but no proper information has been given about it to the Maltese people. The location may be incidental but the event was not. We hear of threats from the IS on Malta, Italy and Spain. We have a responsibility by international law to immigrants who are rescued at sea and it is an increasing problem that is also becoming more sophisticated or crude, depending on which way you look at it, in the way it operates. How prepared are we to face this human tragedy?

Our concern for foreign affairs or regional problems is haphazard and instead, we create instability in our own country when there should be little or none. Will we deal with the problems in the health sector, the ageing population and pensions, youth, crime and security and stop becoming stuck and diverted over mundane problems that should not even be there in the first place?

The media is realising that giving publicity to the IS beheadings of hostages and similar videos is counterproductive and should stop. Likewise, even states should stop treating the IS murderers as some legitimate state and ban any negotiations with them flat out. They are not part of the civilised world, where rules and respect for life apply.

What perspective do we have when we cause our own stress and endanger our own heritage wilfully? It is not enough to enact new laws to create a mature and responsible society. There has to be a leadership that respects the democratic, cultural, environmental and lawful system of the country and one that recognises its role as a member of the international community too. Or at least the European one of which we are a member. The response in France towards

Charlie Hebdo and the supermarket terrorist attacks galvanised the nation and the world. The problems of a rise in anti-Semitism was exposed and the country stopped in solidarity. People of different backgrounds, ethnicity and religion came together and protested the ultimate threat to a law abiding society which holds certain values as intractable. What happened to the victims was hideous and it struck a chord with ordinary people and leaders around the world also came to denounce the atrocities. But ultimately we need to be the change ourselves.

There will come a time when it is no longer a matter of choice. We may lose our soul, our mind and our pride if we continue to think we are alone in this world and what happens elsewhere does not concern us or that we can do as we please without considering the wider repercussions on ourselves and others.

For goodness’ sake let’s stand together and show that we have the best interests of our country at heart.