In 2013, Labour won a landslide victory. It did so again in 2017 and 2022. In the process, it regenerated itself and brought about unprecedented changes, making people's lives better. This happened while the Nationalist Party was and still is flat on its back, ravaged by internal infighting and a succession of leaders who only changed things for the worse.
Tremendous changes
When Labour took office in 2013, the economy was at its worst. Unemployment was at an all-time high; inflation had skyrocketed; businesses were going bust, and foreign direct investment was a disaster. It was a tall order for Joseph Muscat's Labour Party, now in government after nearly two decades in the political wilderness. But the new Labour government lost no time in getting down to work and bringing about tremendous changes, which in no time injected new life into our economy. Today, we have the highest employment rate ever, lower inflation and the fastest-growing economy in the EU.
Malta led
We had huge challenges along the way. When Covid struck, many thought Malta would go bust. But the new Prime Minister, Robert Abela, was determined that this would never happen. Instead, he saved lives and protected jobs. Abela's success was the envy of world leaders who looked at tiny Malta, amazed that despite our size, not only did we punch beyond our weight, but our economic situation got even better.
A booming economy
Despite Covid; the war in Ukraine; the upheaval in the Middle East and the huge geo political tensions, Malta marched steadily forward: Tourism is booming; economic confidence is at an unprecedented high; foreign direct investment soaring; inflation under control; hundreds of millions of euros are being invested in the country's infrastructure - even culture and the arts, on an afterthought in the country's priority list are booming.
Resilience
Nothing of this would have happened were it not for the resilience of the Maltese and Gozitans and the ability of successive Labour governments to navigate through troubled waters successfully.
Aspirational
Of course, challenges remain. We are aware that all must benefit from the wealth this government has created and that those who require further government help must get it and fast.
But we cannot sit on our laurels, happy with what we have achieved. We must now look at the next chapter, which is a leap forward from what we have achieved together. Better times await us. Our vision is aspirational. This country deserves further success, and the challenges that we inevitably face can only be addressed and solved by a Labour government.
Our track record speaks for itself. We delivered and will deliver more.
PN = Chaos
The alternative is an Opposition that is unable to keep its house in order, let alone solve the country's challenges and build on the success achieved by the Labour Party since 2013. An unstable and chaotic opposition can never be a strong, sound and stable government.
More of the same
This week, the PN leadership contestants were asked for their position on assisted voluntary euthanasia. Their answers were textbook cases of a lack of leadership. Adrian Delia replied that he would vote against it in an eventual parliamentary vote. Alex Borg promised that he would give PN MPs a free vote, but he wouldn't say how he would vote. Delia's 'no' reminds people of his hugely divisive way of doing politics and his extremist conservative position on issues that matter. Borg's refusal to state his position demonstrates his inability to take a position on issues that matter. It shows how unfit he is to become an Opposition leader, for leadership demands that a leader stands up to be counted. Yet, Borg refuses to draw himself on issues that matter lest he disappoint someone in the run-up to the PN leadership election.
Leading
Leadership is not about being a pleaser but having the ability to be bold, take the right decisions for your people, call a spade by its name and lead, not follow. Unfortunately, at the Nationalist Party, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Bernard Grech's leadership was chaotic and unstable. Borg and Delia, whoever takes the helm of a PN in disarray, shall be more of the same. It's a mess.
A tremendous success
The massive crowd at the Floriana granaries last Tuesday was proof of another successful Isle of MTV Malta. People of all ages enjoyed a brilliant lineup of local and foreign artists. Malta has become synonymous with the Isle of MTV event, with thousands of people visiting Malta purposely for this star-studded event: Miriana Conte, ALOK, Ella Henderson, Damiano David and local DJs DODZ, Wyne, Gabii, Denzel Jo Armani, Koroma, Keane, Miggy and Debrii. It was, by all counts, a tremendous success.
Neil Agius
Neil, the world record long-distance swimmer, never fails to make Malta proud. Our hero, an ultra-endurance athlete, has just announced his next mammoth challenge. Neil will swim around Gozo seven times in seven days. He told the press that 'The Gozo 7' is designed for him to fail. It's built to push him beyond his known limits, to the point of complete exhaustion. He said that this new challenge isn't about proving physical endurance and strength but about understanding what happens when we deliberately take ourselves to the edge and how we can recover, reset, and show up again the next day. Neil is the epitome of courage and resilience. I wish him well in his new endeavour and encourage you all to support our local hero.