It is the prerogative of the Party leader to assign portfolios to MPs to shadow. Mine remained practically the same. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia confirmed what his predecessor, Dr Simon Busuttil, assigned to me - that of Social Accommodation, the Fight Against Poverty of all sorts and Solitude. For this I thank both.

Since there were three new MPs over the past year there was the need to assign fresh topics, so that their talents or experiences will be put into practice. It was time to have a fresh boost with the injection of fresh blood, also in view that there are new Ministries. I am not going into who was assigned what, it has already been widely reported.

The portfolio assigned to me is vast. The subjects are related. I can handle them as they are close to my heart. For the past nearly three years of this legislature, I came across people of all sorts, people from different echelons of society, people with various wants and needs. This experience made me grow both as a person and as a politician.

As a politician elected on a party ticket, I am loyal to the electorate, the party and whoever is leader. As part of my duties as spokesman for solitude I have been assigned the duty of hosting a radio programme everyday on the Party’s radio station between 10.30pm and midnight. The reason being to interact with people who are lonely, especially during the period and circumstances we are all experiencing, and to help those in need.

Solitude and loneliness are already a challenge and a reality in themselves, let alone when it is being imposed. It is understandable as it is for the better.

For the past three years covering solitude, I came across people who are very lonely. Usually, these are the old and the disabled. Society should do more to help people who experience solitude. These people usually tend to have mental health issues as a result of solitude. Problems are therefore compounded.

I work with NGOs who address, and cater for, people who experience solitude. I speak in Parliament about the matter. However, if people don’t come forward to seek help it would be difficult to help them. Cooperation is important.

Another topic at heart is that of social accommodation. I speak in parliament, write articles and ask parliamentary questions regarding the way forward, or lack of, for people availing themselves of social housing. Help those in need in this issue too.

Social housing is an important issue. It relates to solitude and poverty. It is an important issue because it enhances discomfort. Usually people who experience poverty or are already living in substandard conditions and vie for social accommodation.

As regards to poverty, another topic in my portfolio, I spoke to many people who either don’t have enough money, don’t have the necessities or don’t have enough to eat. This is the Malta we are living in! Poverty can be economic poverty, can be social poverty (lack of social skills) and can be educational poverty. All people who fall under these categories usually end up marginalised in society as, unfortunately, it is a vicious circle.

Now that my shadow portfolio has been confirmed, I promise to work even harder to better people’s lives and contribute, so that the Nationalist Party will be where it should be. In Government!