It is an honour and a pleasure to announce that, yesterday morning, I led a press conference announcing the first local council candidates for Partit Demokratiku.  I myself will be standing in the Sliema Local Council elections, whilst still representing the interests of the whole country as deputy leader.

When I stepped into politics for the first time in 2017 it was a scary, thrilling and inspiring brave new world. I was fresh out of university and although I had a deep passion for trying to protect Malta and Gozo’s heritage and environment, I never thought I would be in a position to make a difference.

As it turns out, my dream has come true – not only did I get to be part of a coalition movement that represented my values, but people put their faith in us and we elected the first third-party MPs to Parliament.

We are a team that has set aside all tribal, linguistic and cosmetic differences to pursue a vision inspired by nothing more than a desire to nurture and protect what we love. We are also driven by a deep sense of gratitude towards those who want to build this community with us, no matter what language they speak or where they come from originally.

We are in a party composed of former Labourites, Nationalists and Greens. Now we are a team that wants to work with everyone as much as each other. When local councils were introduced in the 1990s, the Labour Party initially refrained from fielding candidates in order to prevent partisanship. Archbishop Mercieca agreed with Labour on this and, as PD, so do I – since PD is all about leaving baggage at the door.

We are a party founded by a female MP from Qrendi, who was elected in Sliema and District 10, with an Executive of people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

We do care what language you speak, we take an interest in what problems you have, what difficulties you face – only because we want to help and bring back a sense of community and a friendly Malta.

As a Sliema Local Council candidate, I will be making the need for a modern Health and Community Centre in Sliema the cornerstone of my campaign, so that people will no longer have to go to Gzira for its clinic, especially in an aging community with infrastructural and over-development challenges, where transport cannot be taken for granted.

I will put the locality before partisan interests – while trying to bring everyone together – because I see Partit Demokratiku as the great bridge-builder.

I will ensure that I use my seat and my influence through PD to fight for a better quality of life in a sustainable economy. If provided with the opportunity to serve, I will do so with passion and dedication – as I have have done in PD these past years.

I ask for your support and that you reach out to me to tell me how to best serve.

Timothy Alden is the Deputy Leader of Partit Demokratiku