Does size matter? It may, but I would say no. It is the way that business, of whatever nature, is conducted that matters. With no resources except for human resources, these islands have, since Independence, strived and weathered all storms. Malta is a success story.
The determination and foresight of our political leaders led and inspired the local community to take on different challenges during the past five decades. It was a push and pull exercise for our political leaders.
Looking back over the past fifty years, Malta had three major challenges. In the 1960s, Malta became an independent state. In the 1980s, Malta survived a serious threat to democracy during those politically turbulent years. In 2004, Malta joined the European Union.
No question, there were other important episodes and national issues which I could have mentioned if, instead of three, I penned ten important events. But since I opted for three, none of the other national events were as far reaching as the three above.
Yesterday, the PN commemorated the birth of our nation, an important milestone in the political and socio-economic development of our small nation. Although small, Malta is strategically positioned between different cultures, making our island unique. Our political leaders leveraged our strategically positioned Islands to our advantage.
Under the stewardship of George Borg Olivier, Malta gained Independence and became a sovereign state. The 1981 general election perverse result brought Malta to the brink. This political crisis was addressed in the nick of time. At a later stage Eddie Fenech Adami, then Prime Minister advocated and secured Malta’s accession in the EU. Malta’s independence was re-dimensioned and is now shared with the other EU member States. Today our political leaders, of whatever creed, can effectively take an active part at all EU levels and can share and voice Malta’s opinion on all matters which directly or indirectly affect our society and the rest of all EU citizens.
As I am writing well before Dr Simon Busuttil, Leader of the Opposition addressed the traditional mass meeting on Sunday I am taking the liberty to pen some issues which hopefully Dr Busuttil would have touched upon.
What the Nationalist Party stands for today needs to be re-defined and clearly devised. As the floaters grow in numbers, it is imperative that the PN reaches out to those who do not customarily have a political allegiance to either of the parties. Party diehards will only switch from one side to the other if they sleep on the wrong side of the bed. Floaters, on the other hand, need clear strategies and direction from the political parties aspiring to their vote. The PL has manged to pull a fast one in the last general election and left many disillusioned. This makes it harder, even for the PN, to persuade the electorate of Dr Busuttil’s pledge of honesty.
The electorate needs to be inspired with objective and tangible proposals which address the people’s concerns. The mass gross injustices which many claim they are suffering due to their political affiliation cannot, and should not be, addressed by partisan political means. The PN should be able to set new standards and establish independent structures to address allegations of gross injustice of whatever nature. The PN should have the courage to state loud and clear its policies, without in any way emulating the PL marketing electoral campaign and empty promises. Over-simplifying matters should be avoided at all costs. Those with a financial impact on the national coffers should be dodged. Only good financial governance should be promised.
The PN should not make promises of the sort that the PL made prior to the election. Transparency, meritocracy and accountability have come to mean something totally different, thanks to the PL.
At the moment, there is no one significant issue that political parties can rally support to. Every now and then, some alleged case of corruption spikes the public’s interest for a time, until something else crops up. If things remain as they are, the coming general election will be fought on bread-and-butter issues. The PN should adopt a multi-pronged approach which provides fresh and outside-the-box thinking which would appeal to the electorate. The PN should seriously commit to keep touch with base at all times and in all circumstances. Though the PN has an uphill struggle, it is still doable.
Gejtu Vella
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