The document Vision 2050 for Malta confimrs that tourism will and should remain a pillar of the Maltese economy. It has developed on a scale which not so long ago, was unimaginable, and the aim now is that such development should continue albeit at a more moderate pace.

The sector generates economic activity that carries a good value added although too often it had a negative impact on the island's natural heritage. Over the years, it has created and widened locally a fund of expertise regarding how it operates. This has encouraged innovative firms to understand how they can tap the available expertise to create touristic export projects.

The government's proposal to encourage tourism projects which generate greater value added is well taken. Perhaps it would be a good idea as well for the government to have at hand the necessary tools by which to encourage, where (and as) possible, more export initiatives in the field of tourism.

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POLLS

Since some years, the frequency of elections has been curtailed. The anchor to which the measurement of political parties' fortunes in the popularity stakes gets tied has become the surveys published by the media. The parties themselves carry out surveys which do not see the light of day.

On this basis, we know that the Labour Party has maintained its greater popularity compared to the PN and recently likely increased it. In recent years, when Labour's momentum slowed, this happened because its supporters apparently lost interest, not because there was an increase in PN support. If there was a recovery, this happened because those who lost interest in Labour or some of them, seem quite prepared to vote again for it.

Why has this happened? Was it because the government managed to convince the sceptics that it is again running on the right tracks? Or has it been because of how the PN is being run, which offended Labour abstentionists so much that they're intending to vote Labour again?  On this issue, the published polls have nothing to say. Party strategists will have a reply based on the parties' private polling.

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ASSISTED DYING

The time has come for the Labour government to enshrine the right to assisted dying in legislation as promised in its electoral programme. This has already been done in a number of European countries which now have a wide experience in how to apply it. There is much to learn from their experience.

The reform will trigger the resistance of traditional social forces in the country at large, mostly the Catholic Church. Certain references dropped into the homilies given by its senior representatives indicate which way the wind will be blowing from that sector. The reservations they will be raising need to be addressed honestly and with serenity.

The reform needs to be implemented with great care to ensure that as it is being introduced, the available services of palliative care are meanwile being greatly improved. Safeguards against the manipulation of assisted dying must be totally stringent. The personal conscientous objections of health professionals must be respected.

The argument that the right to assisted dying should be refused to persons who are enduring huge pain that will inevitably lead to their death, is in no way a defence of the dignity and sacredness of life. To the contrary, it is nothing but their cruel negation.