As the UK prepares to exit the European Union and take with it significant influence on its trade and industry, financial contributions, cultural and historical ties, we are forced to turn our attention to our own interests, both as a sovereign state and as a European Union member.

The effect of Brexit can already be felt even in distant countries, such as Dubai, where international schools are already turning from the teaching of English in favour of German and French in order to keep the European Union countries as an option for students as they extend their education overseas or back home in the case of ex-pats.  One wonders what effect this may also have on the so-called American University of Malta and on the Barts University in Gozo. 

In the case of the AUM, they may need to review the demand of students to pursue their course in Malta, now that the UK is basically off the table.  However, where Barts is concerned, one assumes that visas will be needed – and the UK and Malta could come to a mutual agreement about that – and that in fact, students from the UK would be keen to keep a foot in an EU member country.  Our Prime Minister should communicate with us about these implications, especially since the two projects have so much at stake.

There is also the effect that learning of English could have on our language schools which are an important sector of tourism.  They may see a decrease in applications.

As a country, we cannot afford to keep dreaming that our lover will stay on and everything will stay the same.  The relationship will change.  Even the famous special relationship between Britain and the USA is not quite on the same level as it used to be.  Generations have come and gone since the days of Malta’s independence and the economic, cultural and social ties we shared with the UK. 

To the majority of the British citizens, Malta is just another Mediterranean country where they drive on the left and speak moderate English and drink wine.  What will other countries be doing to keep on attracting the British tourist in view of the falling exchange rate of the pound against the euro and a probable increase in the price of flights?

The Leavers felt that Brexit was in the national interest and that is for them to decide.  Whether they are right or wrong, only time will tell and it also depends on their priorities.

Here in Malta, on the other hand, our leaders seem deliberately intent on working against the national interest and in favour of personal interest.  A fact that is already costing us significantly both financially and in long and short term prospects for democracy in the country.

Wherever you look there is a case of corruption or poor management that is having a direct effect not only on production and service but most seriously on democracy itself.

Apart from all the extravagant and extra costs incurred by the large Cabinet of Joseph Muscat, the Persons of Trust, wags and Labour Party employees now on the state payroll, we are continuously having to challenge the cause and effect of unethical acts by some or many, of the government Ministers and by the failure of management, institutions, Boards and organisations to deliver.

The club incident, where Minister Chris Cardona denies having visited a brothel in Germany, left its mark not just on the image of one minister but on the collective group because nobody stood to defend the value of truth and accountability and the importance of bringing certain information to the public.  It is all well and good for the minister to impose a garnishee order on the writer of the story but those left silently casting their glance from one side to the other are just as complicit in hurting the national interest when they are willing to ignore discrimination and tolerate the bad light that came from the handling of this alleged event.

But this may fade in comparison to the ongoing defiance of Joseph Muscat in the case of Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri in the Panama affair.  One seriously wonders how the Labour Party fought for the divorce bill, when they are so comfortable in hiding their transgressions.  Either this is still a really, but really, backward and male chauvinistic country or we are taken for fools.  The name and reputation of our country has been damaged for a long time to come.  We really do not deserve this discredit to our national interest.

On a more local but very serious level, what transpired at the Broadcasting Authority where the employees stood up to defend not only their integrity but also the democratic functioning of the authority itself, we see what courage is needed to bring some order in the middle of all this disorder.  Persons are engaged in positions that they are not fit for, causing untold damage and consequences on the institutions and offices that are meant to lead.  Whenever this happens, it is a big deficit to democracy.  Thankfully, here at the BA, the matter came to light and although it was brought to the attention of the Prime Minister and his intervention was sought, it was, ultimately not the concern of the PM but the voice of the employees and the Union that led to the resignation of the Chairman.  These matters of justice and national importance seem to be outside of Joseph Muscat’s concern and leave him cold, if not even bored.

Similarly with the grave matter of the confusion with identity cards over at Identity Malta.  How long can this be allowed to go on before the PM wakes up and shows some action about it?  What channels have to be soothed before the people themselves can have re-assurance and proper respect shown for the Constitution?  What could be more in our national interest than having free and fair elections?  Do we want to head back to the 80s and the undemocratic result we lived through then?   Honestly, the way priorities are just swept under the carpet is unbelievable in this day and age.

Of course, the list can go on and on.  Spring hunting is one them and the fate of Air Malta is another.  The escalating violence and crime and the many unresolved murders are another, along with the lack of investigation on serious allegations of misconduct.  The salary increases at the police force and the army and many other expenses that are not needed – the ElectroGas power station being one of them and the giving away of public land at a pittance instead of formulating a plan to preserve and conserve our urban areas and country-side are some others.  All of these and so much more stand as a monument against the national interest.

So much for Brexit.  We have a one-man referendum here.