Over the past decades we have had ample proof of what these two distintive attributes actually mean. In sharp contrast with previous heads of government, over the past six years the country has been led by a statesman in the person of Dr Joseph Muscat who has shown clear signs of his vision for Malta and Gozo since he was chosen as Labour leader in June 2008.

As Leader of the Opposition, he gave clear signs that national unity had a dominant value in the way he proposed solutions to issues that were raised in Parliament or at any other level. The 2013 campaign slogan 'Malta tagħna lkoll' (Malta belongs to us all) reiterated this holistic stand for the kind of administration he wanted to establish.

The right side of history

History has proved him right, with an undeniable record of economic successes, unheard of for a long time, together with steady progress in a healthier social well-being. In addition, and despite the fact that the incumbent party in government traditionally features as the underdog at the polls, last year's general election gave Labour the highest majority ever recorded in Maltese political history. And this notwithstanding the ruthless sleaze campaigns by an Opposition that was all armoured to shoot the messenger at the cost of killing the message: the national well-being.

People have since grown increasingly more mature and have learned to evaluate their leaders' essential stands on each and every issue that crops up, not through impulsive outbursts but through their diligent and responsible action. People know well that the Prime Minister, however unscrupulously attacked, has been true and loyal to the nation and has stopping short of saying what his assailants deserved to be told. The real statesman adhered to the rule of law and let the course of justice take its time, rewarding him with undeniable findings that blew off all the malicious attempts to overthrow the democratically confirmed goverment. 

What we have been experiencing as a nation is also part of history. We have been protagonists on its good side, while others are obsessed with their abundantly failing tactics. The implosion that occured five years back in the Opposition party has never healed and their current internal situation proves that the cracks are even deeper than publicly known, leaving them with no time or energy to be the constructive Opposition expected by the Constitution.

The latest results

Labour's dynamic government rises above all this and takes all rival attempts in its stride. Meanwhile, time and time again, Labour is being proved right and the frequent and consecutive EU and international reports stand out to confirm this. This week, again, the European Economic Forecast for Autumn stated that Malta's strong GDP growth is set to continue, as domestic demand replaces net exports as the main engine of economic activity, and that GDP rose by 6.7 per cent in 2017, driven by strong growth in net exports.

The growth in private consumption has accelerated, while net exports declined as a result of rapid import growth in the second quarter. Business and consumer confidence indicators remained high and it is expected that real GDP growth will average 5.4 per cent in 2018. Domestic demand is set to be the main driver of growth, supported by strong investment growth.

Various investment projects co-financed by EU structural funds have boosted public investment in the second half of 2018. In 2019, the implementation of large-scale projects in the health, tourism and real estate sectors is expected to boost further private investment. Private consumption is set to remain dynamic, on the back of increasing labour market participation and disposable income. The current account balance was set to remain at historically high levels, underpinned by the large external surplus of the internationally oriented services sector. Tax revenue growth is expected to be raised by high nominal GDP, supported by favourable macroeconomic and labour market conditions, high corporate profits and consumer demand.

The budget for 2019

Within this scenario, and irrespective of all the orchestrated publicity stunts by the Opposition and its various divisions, we moved on with proposing the country's Budget for the coming year, offering the largest financial package ever. During the last fortnight, with continuous morning and evening sessions in the House, we have debated the estimates for each Ministry, with a final vote to be taken later when the committee stage has been concluded. 

The Gozo Ministry's budget was discussed last Wednesday and I was pleased with the interest shown, albeit for different motives, in all the many projects and initiatives taken by the Ministry for which I am proudly responsible. No amount of criticism, whether constructive or otherwise, can deny the clear sign of confidence shown by government - particularly through the 30 per cent increase for the Gozo Ministry's recurrent and capital expenditure during the coming year.

Increase in Gozo's budget

Through the 10 per cent budget increase last year, and the restructuring process in the Ministry's workforce, we managed to accomplish more and move ahead with the completion of previously initiated projects and set the basic framework for new ones. The results are there for all to see and it is indeed sad that unjustified criticism comes from those same people who have been lethargic for decades instead of implementing what needed to be done when they were in power. 

We are doing what should have been done years ago and the least we expect is that those who only knew how to impress people and take them for a ride for years on end, coming up like some big brother to tell us what to do or how to do it, or - worse still - trying to distract us from our focus and commitment, would acknowledge this fact. It is, in fact, my duty to thank all the workers, and those in other entities falling within the Ministry's remit, for their hard work and dedication in carrying out - to high standards - all the tasks taken in hand during the past year.

How better and faster could we work if all those who have shown so much interest by word of mouth, can join hands and be proud of Gozo's current success, rather than carrying the remorse of their adverse actions when the time comes for people to judge them!  They should better learn that the next generation is more important to work for than for any immediate partisan interest.