European political parties come in many flavours but they do have some things in common, at least if they hope to govern well. Everyone? Well, almost. Not Joseph Muscat’s Labour government.

In Europe there is a consensus. There is a healthy role for government to play in the economy and social life. It must not get too stifling and centralising, however.

Markets must be allowed to operate. But they must not be wild and savage. Minimum standards must be protected. There has to be a social dimension.

Therefore, the general trend is for governments to act as regulators and setters of standards. Meanwhile, the private and non-profit sectors are permitted to operate as long as they meet those standards.

Joseph Muscat’s government has managed to turn things on their head. Standards are being loosened with each passing day, so that Labour’s cronies can do what they like. On the other hand, Labour is centralising power, so that anyone who wants to do anything needs to suck up to it.

That is what throwing out competent people and replacing with incompetent Taghna Lkollers is all about.

It’s the formula designed to give voters and consumers a raw deal. It’s designed to help the political elite and economic opportunists.

It is also a formula that is undermining our institutions, especially those designed to act as impartial advisors to the political decision-makers.

Take the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary. It is now run by a person with very strong political ties to both the Labour Party and the General Workers Union. He gives press conferences, issues press releases and addresses the media as though he himself were a member of Muscat’s cabinet.

Before I get attacked about not knowing that the Principal Permanent Secretary actually sits at the cabinet table: yes, I know he does. I also know that the previous civil servants in this vital role were very low key when it came to public appearances. They guided the Ministers and the Prime Ministers through their expertise on matters from a purely technical and not a political perspective.

The current Principal Permanent Secretary is different. He defended Muscat and the Cabinet on the Café Premier scandal by justifying the unjustifiable. The ever increasing number of people appointed in positions of trust and people employed by the state continues to raise eyebrows as much as they were raised back in March 2013 when the person was chosen to fill the post.

This week, the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary, announced a white paper on “Improving Business Inspections.” The executive summary states that “the common policy framework proposes four main outcomes, namely: (i) more relevant inspections, (ii) empowered businesses, (iii) fewer inspections and a reduction in the associated burdens, and (iv) improved transparency.”

All those who disagree raise their hands. Of course we are all for simplification and less bureaucracy. I thought this government had a Parliamentary Secretary specifically for this sector so why didn’t he present this White Paper?

The proposals themselves are not entirely clear in how they will work out. The aim, it seems, is to create a government agency responsible for the enforcement of all standards. More centralisation.

It isn’t clear, however, how the enforcers of this agency will be expected to see that standards are adhered to.

For example, environmental health inspectors are fully qualified University graduates who do a very meticulous job. They are very thorough when checking catering establishments and outlets selling any type of food.

But will the consolidation of enforcement regulations into a single agency mean that a health inspector will also be checking fiscal matters like pricing, VAT receipts, etc.?

If not, what’s the benefit of the intended consolidation – apart from the centralisation of power?

I am sure that we will be discussing the possible changes in the coming weeks. Muscat and his government do not have a very good reputation when it comes to setting up of agencies and transparency. Let’s hope that this proposal is not there to set up something of the same ill-repute.