I often wonder if some people on the other side of the political divide are living in a different reality or else feel too allergic to the country’s progress. Whatever the  case, it is symptomatic of a state of denial.

However objective I try to be, there is no way that I can ever accept that they conveniently and repeatedly twist allegations into facts and solid facts into irrelevant material.  On the other hand, an Opposition that has wasted six years fabricating unfounded doubts and suspicions and vociferously disseminating them through local and foreign media, seems to be stuck at that with no indication of any plan or strategy for strengthening the country’s wellbeing, if and when in a position to do so.

While excellent results are regularly becoming constants for both Malta and Gozo, the Opposition set out on a diametrically opposed track to belittle any achievement or divert people’s attention to some of their own recycled innuendos. Worse still, its ongoing internal fragmented situation seems to be spurring them to harsher tactics in the run-up to the upcoming local and European elections in 13 weeks’ time.  

New highs and lows

Despite such partisan deficiencies, the whole country moves on to reach further highs.  Unemployment in January fell by 10 per cent, compared with January 2018, and the number of people registering for work stood at another record low of 1,796.  Unemployment fell across all age groups and irrespective of for how long they had been registering for work. The largest fall in registrants was recorded in respect of those who had been registering for more than a year and a more socially significant fact is that the number of people with a disability who were registering for work fell by 68 compared to the same month last year.

In this respect, it is most absurd and alarming that we hear of people who are proposing that bringing down the country’s economic success and having people begging on the streets is the only way to break Labour’s steady progress. When we consider that – across both Malta and Gozo – we have a nation that is exceptionally heroic in its sense of solidarity at all times, it hurts to know that there are some who can even contemplate such outbursts. Nevertheless, such a desire has been written in the social media by people who should know much better.  

High trust in government

The latest Eurobarometer Survey shows that Maltese people have a higher level of trust in their government than the average level recorded among other EU member states, with  63 per cent of respondents saying they trusted our  government, whilst an average of only 35 per cent across the EU trusted their national governments.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted over a period of several days last November, with people aged 15 or over, and resident in Malta being asked about their level of trust in various institutions.  A total of 59 per cent said they trusted the Maltese Parliament and 56 per cent said that they trusted the European Union. Comparatively, an average of 35 per cent of respondents in other countries trusted their national governments and parliaments whilst only 42 per cent trusted the EU.

A further detail shows that more people said they tended to trust political parties more than they trusted the written media. The report notes that 36 per cent of respondents in Malta said they trusted political parties (compared to an EU average of 18 per cent ) while 32 per cent said they trusted the written media (compared to a 47 per cent EU average). Furthermore, despite what has been unfairly depicted within EU circles, 68 per cent of respondents said that they trusted the police force and 77 per cent that they trusted the armed forces.

Gozo’s Regional Authority

This week I have introduced the second reading in Parliament to debate a Bill that will establish a Regional Development Authority for Gozo. The Bill took two sessions and I had to insist that the island does not belong to any of the political parties but to all Gozitans. We need a change in mentality and a move away from old-fashioned politics when it comes to the way in which Gozitan affairs are administered.

For too long, Gozo operated under a mentality where the needs of the citizens were considered political favours, which resulted in the island falling behind. This Bill is offering a historic opportunity for all Gozitan elected members to show that Gozo is united and progressing, knowing that the proposed Authority would provide a legal instrument by to push the island forward. The Bill was, in fact, drawn up following a long process of consultation with all interested stakeholders. 

We are all aware that Gozo faces a number of challenges, including its insularity and its small size, but we need to face every challenge with a common resolve to turn it into an opportunity. The island can no longer rely on a one-size-fits-all strategy, but has to be respected for its particular requirements. Over the years, there have been many proposals and endless debates on the way forward for the island, none of which materialised for different reasons, mainly related to the viability of the plans discussed and the availability of the necessary funding or lack of the necessary political will.

A major pledge

Any strategy for the island as a region should be aimed at increasing the Gozitan economy and allowing it to attract the necessary talent and development, while safeguarding all the characteristics and charm that are unique to the Maltese Archipelago.

The provision of a regional authority would, for the first time, confirm that we have a strong and legally-established entity that can coordinate the work that needs to be done.  It is also intended to ensure that Gozitan affairs are no longer an ‘afterthought’ but will be central to policy-making at a national level.

Gozitans know well that this proposal is a major pledge in the Electoral manifesto which they chose by a very clear majority last year. I have worked very hard –  and am committed to continue – to reverse the chronic trend where ideas for Gozo, despite all the flowery language, were often not implemented. The Regional Development Authority will be responsible for the formulation – and implementation – of the holistic strategy that Gozo needs. The time has come to emerge from the usual habit of dreaming, or shelving plans, and move on with determination.