If ever there was a doubt about the true intentions of the Labour party in government, now we have concrete evidence. The writing has been on the wall for a while now, but the proposed magisterial inquiry reform confirms how consecutive Labour governments are determined to undermine every last standing semblance of justice, and protect its criminal associates.

What is being marketed as the best thing since sliced bread is nothing but the formal dismantling of an instrument at the disposal of the public, to seek justice. Magisterial inquiries on the initiative of private citizens are democracy in action, especially in a country where, sadly, the police corps has been neutered and rendered inconsequential.

Of course we would all prefer to have a police force that does not take its orders from anyone. Of course we would love to have a police force that operates on its own initiative, investigating the slightest whiff of suspicion, in order to ensure the rule of law. 

Unfortunately, we all know that this is not the case. Shocking revelation after the other remained unchallenged and undisturbed, with important pieces of evidence perhaps being lost. It was through magisterial inquiries commenced through private individuals that we managed to get results in some of the most prominent and high profile cases this country has ever seen.

17 Black, Electrogas, Panama Papers, Vitals and Steward. All magisterial Inquiries that know their inception from a private citizen's initiative, and which are now bearing fruit. All private initiative magisterial inquiries which are starting to shed light on the ring of criminality that has taken over our country's highest most circles in a circus of corruption and criminality.

None of these inquiries could have taken place under the proposed reform. All these would simply not be possible. 

Another point about the proposed reform is that the government wants to limit the time in which inquiries are concluded to two years, yet it does not appear that anything is being done to bolster the resources at the magistrate's disposal to help them reach this ambitious goal. Of course, we all want an efficient justice system, but this will almost certainly have the opposite effect. How exactly are we expecting our magistrates to cope with this added burden? This is the case of loading the cart with way too much weight, and then wonder why the wheels gave way. 

So it is especially shocking to hear Prime Minister Robert Abela describe this reform as some sort of enhancement of the current legislation, when it is exactly the polar opposite. He speaks of protecting the rights of the innocent, when the innocent have absolutely nothing to worry about. It is the ill-intentioned, whoever creates hidden financial structures in faraway lands, whoever enters dubious multi-million euro contracts that don't benefit the country, and those who get far too cozy with criminals with very bad intentions, that need to worry.

Sadly, Robert Abela wants to protect them all. He wants to remove the tools that have proven to be the last standing bastion between justice and the free reign of those who have taken over government as their personal fiefdom, to do with as they please. 

This reform is as far removed from the public interest as it gets. A new Nationalist administration vouches to reinstate any rights of private citizens to initiate a magisterial inquiry, while protecting the rights of the victims. That is how we ensure the bolstering of our judicial and justice system.

Dr Darren Carabott is the Opposition's Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Reforms, and President of the Public Accounts Committee.