It is hard to imagine a more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong. It is precisely what people ought to consider, come 3 June.

For many years before March 2013 the country had to face a propensity to delay difficult and weighty decisions that had been damaging our country for 25 years. It was detrimental to our economy, to society and to future generations, and it could not be allowed to continue. Dr Muscat’s government showed the way forward and a short span of four years of hard and decisive work has proved us right. We can proudly state that we have been on the right side of history, as it is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values – and the needs of the country – really are.

Political irresponsibility

The state of affairs during the current electoral campaign – brief but hectic as it may be – shows that some people in top places would not care to be responsible enough to make clear and diligent decisions. An inability to make decisions is one of the principal reasons why such people fail. A deficiency in decision-making ranks much higher than a lack of specific knowledge or technical know-how as an indicator of leadership failure.

There is a huge responsibility on politicians to understand the consequence of their inertia when it comes to taking decisions. It is even worse when they dish out proposals in a desperate way that reflects an ignorance of the true facts and data and an outright lack of evidence, which is most important when they are making decisions that affect the nation’s life and livelihood. Hiding behind the puerile excuse that it is a matter of principles, rather than proposals, amply shows a lack of preparation, let alone leadership skills. Principles, like values, are always basic, but can only serve as a primary guide to what needs to be done. Proposals are the hard matter that directly emanates from established principles which should be common to everyone.

At the end of the day, electoral proposals are what matter to people’s lives and to understand and evaluate feasible promises based on true facts and credibility. People can likewise perceive fake proposals that smell of irrationality and are clearly haphazardly dispensed, on the spur of the moment, without the least basic knowledge of facts and costings. On 3 June, Maltese and Gozitans will prove that a reliable leader is someone who has succeeded in making the right decisions simply through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore and move on.

Healthier forecasts

As if we still needed further confirmation that the right decisions have been taken during Labour’s first four years in office, this week we again had the European Commission’s Economic Forecast with a very positive review of our economy. It shows that Malta’s GDP growth is being forecast to be 4.6 per cent this year – nearly three times that of the eurozone average. GDP growth in the EU as a whole is expected to remain constant at 1.9 per cent in both years, but the Spring 2017 Economic Forecast said Malta would also see more growth in 2018. The Commission did not anticipate that the unemployment rate would change much from its current level just below five per cent, forecasting that jobs would increase by 2.9 per cent between 2017 and 2018.

According to the latest EC report, among the many decisions taken by the Labour government the historic agreement to increase the minimum wage will support private consumption even further in the coming months. In an era of fast demographic and technological change, our economies have to evolve too, offering more opportunities and a better standard of living for our population. And this is precisely what a Labour government has done in its first four years in building the strong foundations for the best times yet to come. The EC is now recommending similar decisive reforms across Europe – from opening up our products and services markets to modernising the labour market and welfare systems.

Most significantly, the EC Report implicitly declares its trust in Joseph Muscat’s government when assuming that there will be no policy change in Malta for this growth to be realised. It is in itself a clear reminder to everyone, more so at this moment in time when Maltese and Gozitans are about to evaluate their current wellbeing and decide on the future of the nation.

Electoral promises

It is indeed most satisfying to be part of Labour’s cabinet at such an exciting period of our country’s political history, brimming with economic and social successes. Being part of Joseph Muscat’s hard-working team has been an honour every day since being elected and entrusted with the remit of the most vulnerable across both islands.

Whatever the amount of planning and budgeting it has taken, together with my dedicated team my Parliamentary Secretariat has been committed to ensure that all our initiatives in the elderly and disability sectors have addressed the needs and expectations of these people across both islands. Our aims have always been based on the full rights and human dignity in a society that must grow to be fair for everyone. Outreach – and the dutiful provision of quality services on a national level – is precisely what equity and empowerment amounts to. 

The laborious spadework we have been carrying out during Malta’s presidency of the EU Council has fully endorsed and sustained that line of action. Together with other major ambitions, social inclusion has, and will certainly continue to be, an important target throughout our first six months of 2017 and beyond. 

Our invaluable deputy prime minister

This week’s announcement that our current Deputy Prime Minister will not be standing for re-election this time around, was sad news for all those who, like me, who have worked closely under his wise and watchful guidance. It is contemporaneously inspiring that he will be around during cabinet meetings during Dr Muscat's second legislature. The Hon. Louis Grech has been a unique and outstanding figure throughout these first four years at all stages of decision-making, be they economic or social. He succeeded in keeping up the momentum for us all in the cabinet to fulfil an amazing amount of Labour's 2013 manifesto, keeping each one on check to ensure we steadily follow the roadmap we set ourselves four years ago.

Through his wide expertise and insight, he stood out with his analytical skills about the various scenarios Labour had to face and resolve in the best interests of our country. With his vast experience at the helm of the national airline and within the European Parliament, Mr Grech has been the leader of the House since 2013 and saw that the government’s legislative programme was implemented as scheduled. Now that he has decided to call it a day – as regards electioneering – it is indeed encouraging and motivating that we will have his judicious presence in everything that our country expects us to decide and perform.

Gozo’s contribution

The Labour Party’s national congress held yesterday began at the majestic Gozo Cittadella, in recognition of its historic importance, and moved on to Malta’s imposing Fort St Angelo, thus highlighting the professional restoration of our national heritage. Diligent use is the best way of preserving historic and valuable premises, and Labour puts this principle into practice with the participation of all those who need to better appreciate such a wealth.

As a Gozitan Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disabilities and Active Ageing, it is indeed enjoyable to witness such important events where those in my care can fully participate. We owe most of our historical and natural gems to the hard work and dedication of past generations and through the bold proposals for a new Labour government we will ensure that, in everyday life, both individually and on a family basis, the best times are yet to come for Gozitans too.

I wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.