True to form, the Labour Party stole the show on Workers’ Day in their usual possessive fashion.  So dependent is the heart of the party on affirmation, on vocal and physical pictures, like biblical scenes in a church, depicting the faith, each time trying to outdo the level of patriotism and partisanship, that all concepts of democracy are simply a waste of time. 

Trust, for them, is built on possession.  Possession of government, of institutions, of public buildings and public arena.   The steps of Castille are the emblem of the faith.  The nearest thing to eternal life.  It is there that Joseph Muscat, in a role that one cannot say is that of Prime Minister but rather of a spiritual leader, strode down the steps of his office and addressed the huge crowd before him, in a medieval and narcissistic delivery. 

It hardly matters what the crowd heard or what was essentially said.  It was after all about a picture to impress on the mind of the faithful.  The church of Joseph paid homage and sang praises and went home reassured of eternal life.

The election of EU MEPs or the real purpose of having a Worker’s day is irrelevant here.  All that counts is the possession of the country, the popularity of the now re-branded Socialist party and the future of its leader, Joseph Muscat.  Playing to Europe by demonstrating the level of trust and confidence that people have in him, for them to keep in mind whenever someone may criticize or send some delegation to inquire on rule of law or justice. 

Maybe it is also a message to the EU to stay well away from interfering in what’s what in this island and leave Dr Muscat to get on with the job, along with Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi upon whom he continues to bestow his blessing.

He has built his church and he holds the keys.  Move aside St Peter. 

The people want their day and they want their manifestations.  Much like the ancient Romans enjoyed their colosseum fighters.

At the end of the charade, one might ask, how is Malta better off?  That would seem to miss the point.  Being better off without it coming from one they elected is totally wasted on the faithful. 

The real progress that was made in Malta was snubbed.  It was made to appear as though it was for someone else, not for the people of these islands.  And now that it is being squandered away, they are convinced they are better off because nothing can ever satisfy their needs better than their own “home”. 

It is good to see that Maltese people are so at home now and enjoying the fruits of patience and trust.  Generation after generation, street after street, job after job the future is built and anyone who does not agree or share that faith is silenced or worse.

All that would be fine, if it weren’t for the fact that we pretend to be a democracy and that we are in the European Union.   But like much else of and on this island, that too is simply a commodity to exploit.  The election is appropriated too and made into a personal contest between Muscat and Delia with little left to the imagination.

Les jeux sont faits.