The Labour Party has initiated a series of interesting discussions on Sundays, but also on weekdays, where a panel of experts takes questions from the public.

We meet outside the party clubs, not that there's anything wrong with the kazini, but a neutral venue often encourages more people to attend and participate.

The events are open to the public who are free to attend and express their views.

The prime minister and party leader, Robert Abela, sits amongst the public and occasionally replies to queries and explains the government's policies and plans.

When he's not talking, he is listening attentively and taking notes. This is truly the case of a government in listening mode.

After the last European Parliament, and local councils, elections which Labour won, albeit with a slimmer majority than the landslide victory of the last general election, the Prime Minister made it abundantly clear that it will heed the peoples' call: it was a loud and clear message, delivered through the polls: We trust Labour with government, and no one else, but we expect a better version of it.

In government, especially when you are on the fast track, delivering results, turning challenges into opportunities for all, and navigating through the intricacies of governing, made more challenging with an increasingly volatile geopolitical situation - the Middle East is on fire; Gaza is a bloodbath and the relations between Israel,

Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran at their lowest ever, it often happens that citizens feel the need for government to be closer to their needs and aspirations.

Midterm elections are often seen as a good occasion to send the government a 'message'. Whether the government takes heed of that message often determines its faith in the longer run.

Former Nationalist Party administrations did not. Despite getting successive drubbings in midterm elections when they were in government, they preferred to look elsewhere until 2013 came along and with it a mammoth defeat at the polls.

Labour did not follow in the PN's path. Instead of adopting the 'I-know-it-all' approach so deeply ingrained within the Nationalist Party, until the present times - for the more things change the more they remain the same, Labour took note of the peoples' message and lost no time in renewing itself.

Usually, political parties renew themselves when in opposition - save for the Nationalist Party, which refuses to do so. Not so the Labour Party. This summer, Malta witnessed a radical renewal process within Labour, which included the election of two new deputy leaders, a new party CEO and a president, and new members on its executive committee.

Labour cares and continuously seeks to be in tune with peoples' needs and aspirations.

Since 2013, we have delivered a lot and changed Malta for the better: lower taxes; higher pensions; stronger childrens' allowances; free and better child care; IVF at zero costs; government support which ensured stability in water, electricity and fuel prices; major infrastructural projects; unprecedented investment in culture and the arts; tougher on crime and its causes; better wages; more affordable housing; the lowest unemployment rate in history; robust exports; a booming tourism industry; more open and green spaces, you name it.

But we must deliver more, and we will. We have one of the strongest economies in the European Union, but that is not enough. People rightly expect that a stronger economy translates into better well-being.

Budget 2025 shall be a bold step in that direction.

Our aim is to ensure that people work to live and not the other way around. The people demand it and justifiably so.

The Sunday and mid-week events are an excellent example of a government that truly cares.

Rather than a top-down approach of doing politics, these events recognise the importance of a bottom-up approach.

A government by the people and for the people.

Last week, at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta, we discussed culture and the arts.

It was a well-attended session whereby a crop of Malta's leading artists, thinkers, creators, and innovators exchanged honest views about the current arts and cultural scene and their suggestions for the future. I enjoyed every minute of it.

They recognised the government's commitment, strong incentives and the hard work we are putting to ensure that these sectors continue to flourish - and as the Minister responsible for these sectors I was grateful that the players in the field acknowledged this.

However, they were right in insisting that more needs to be done. I took note of each comment made and suggestions put forward, and I am already acting on them.

We have no time to lose. We shall continue to change whatever needs changing and improve on what needs to be done better.

It was an important session because it is from such exchanges that the government draws up its policies and learns from its mistakes and plans for the benefit of the sector.

Last Sunday, we met at Inspire, Marsascala, and discussed the economy and how it can and will benefit the people better.

It was a pleasure hearing seasoned politician, Her Excellency President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, and other distinguished guests expressing their views on how Malta's strong economy can be put to better use for the peoples' benefit.

Speakers at these events acknowledge the sterling work being done by the Labour government across many spectrums but are also critical on matters that they believe should be done better.

It is this constructive criticism that keeps Labour on its feet aware that it can never rest on its laurels but that it must keep improving to ensure a better version of itself.

There will be more of these sessions. It is truly the case of politics by the people and from the people. For it is the people who know best.

Malta Eurovision Song contest

The Malta Eurovision Song contest is an important event in our cultural calendar. Many people love the Eurovision and it also occupies pride and place in the Public Broadcaster's legacy.

Last year the Malta Eurovision Song contest had a major lacuna in the sense that, amongst other things, the event lacked an audience. This time round, lessons were learnt, remedial action has been taken and the contest will happen in front of an audience.

For many singers and artists Eurovision is an opportunity to showcase one's talent in front of a national and - for the winner - an international stage and platform. Eurovision is important. We want to keep giving our artists all the opportunities possible to make it both within our shores and outside it.

I thank the management and staff at PBS for the fantastic work they do everyday to provide quality content for our National Broadcaster.