After more than 50 months of continuous negative criticism, the least one would have expected from the Leader of the Opposition was to interest us with some concrete proposals for Gozo and to share his vision for Gozo with voters. However, once again the response from the Leader of the Opposition was a very disappointing one.
He started his election campaign in Gozo, trying hard to drive home the message that the Island was important to him. Maybe it is important for him in terms of electoral results but it does not seem that he spent a lot of time thinking how to improve the daily lives of Gozitans. He dished out a couple of half-baked measures, as if on the spur of the moment, among them the proposal for a fast ferry. Unfortunately for him, he did not even realize that a tender for the provision of this service had been issued two weeks earlier.
Once again he repeated that if elected as Prime Minister, he will take back the General Hospital in Gozo. Let’s not forget the state in which this hospital was prior to 2013. No Gozitans who had the unfortunate experience of having to go there have treasured memories of it. It was a hospital lacking modern equipment, in shocking need of refurbishment, and the number of services expected from a modern hospital catering for a whole island were lacking. The difference is there for everyone to see. The leader of the opposition simply wants to turn back the clock, if given a chance. He does not want the new specializations and the richness of a teaching hospital to come to Gozo. Why?
His actions would spell the end of Barts Medical School in Gozo. He is on record as stating that he will review every contract signed by this administration. If he takes such drastic action, Gozitans would be losing out on myriad opportunities. First and foremost the opportunity to have a modern and specialized hospital as well as the chance to rent out their property to the hundreds of students and other staff that will be attracted to this medical school. There also the economic prospects such as transportation, food, and entertainment. Is this the way, the leader of opposition wants to create wealth? Is this the way to create employment in Gozo?
He also mentioned that he will be making Gozo a region. At this point, one cannot but be perplexed as it was the same Leader of the Opposition that for several years who preached that Gozo was recognized by the European Union as an island region. This only means that either Simon Busuttil was knowingly taking Gozitans for a ride or else he is offering something that already exists. The truth is that Simon Busuttil was just playing with words because he knew well enough that the European Union recognized Gozo as a region only for statistical purposes. Again, he contradicts himself. Is this the behaviour of someone aspiring to be our Prime Minister?
The latest proposal was the cherry on the cake. He stated that he will be giving €10,000 to each couple that decides to start living here in Gozo. The list of questions that need to be answered here is a long one. I will highlight just a few. Let's start by asking Simon Busuttil whether this means that Gozitan couples do not qualify for this grant as for them this decision is automatic? And if their residence is in Gozo but they work and live most of the week in Malta, would they also qualify? Would Maltese couples who buy or rent property in Gozo qualify? What if they do not live here in Gozo? How is Simon Busuttil going to verify that who just owns or rents a property in Gozo, and distinguish between these and those that in fact live in Gozo? Would this scheme be open also for foreigners? How much will it cost?
These are all legitimate questions but we do not expect that there will be any answers. Except of course that details will be communicated 100 days after the election! How can you take this man seriously? Are you ready to risk everything that was achieved during the last 50 months to take a chance with such a man?
The success achieved was not due to chance. It was because of proper planning and constant effort. The results are not being questioned. Moody’s credit rating agency this week has not only confirmed its rating but has actually raised its projections for economic growth not only for this year but also for next year. Malta’s economy is expected to grow more than was originally forecast. Gozo will also gain from this economic growth. The electorate needs to decide whether to continue moving forward or turn back the clock. It applies on a national level as well as to Gozo.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo