Unity of purpose

Friday, May 9, was a remarkable double date of celebration. It was Europe Day. It was also the liturgical feast of Blessed Gorg Preca celebrated locally. Both were celebrated in a courteous, sombre manner. Without any fuss or flamboyance. Malta celebrated Europe Day by issuing two postage stamps.

The two designs chosen were by Maltese artists - Robert Caruana Dingli's poster design promoting local Cisk Lager. The designer, Debbie Caruana Dingli, grand-daughter of Robert, chose for her second stamp the poster for the 1939 Carnival by Toussaint Busuttil. Both stamps are very colourful and joyful as befits a new member of the European Union.

Dun Gorg, founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM), was beatified by Pope John Paul II two years ago on May 9, the day chosen later for his liturgical feast. Malta and Gozo are united in celebrating it with great devotion. MUSEUM is the acronym for the Latin "would that the whole world follow the Gospel".

These two occasions start a train of thought for today's column. After having gone through five weeks of tension, as the result of the March 8 referendum and the general election of April 12, we now can reflect calmly, serenely and in all seriousness.

The coming five years

The die has been cast for the coming five years. We should now realise the true meaning of the situation. We are not to expect manna to fall from heaven, as the prime minister sombrely put it. We must work hard to make a success of all the valid opportunities offered to our nation on joining the EU.

The next important step before the actual date of accession on May 1, 2004, is the ratification by the House of Representatives of the accession treaty which Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and Foreign Minister Joe Borg signed in Athens on April16.

Writing in The Times last week, MLP education secretary Joseph Muscat argued why the Opposition will vote against the ratification. His salient point is that Labour MPs should "honour the political will of 48 per cent of the voters who endorsed the party's manifesto and who elected them to their seat".

This is arguably the situation, looking at it subjectively. Objectively, however, it must be remembered that the party that obtained the absolute majority of votes is no longer in terms of the Constitution a party but the democratically and legally elected government of Malta.

The Opposition, in the true meaning of democracy, should be loyal to the nation. Loyalty to the party should be subservient to loyalty to the nation. By swimming against the current at every phase in Parliament would make it appear as if it is still the minority. In actual fact the minority is still an integral part of the population and therefore of the nation.

To my way of thinking all MPs should set their aims and objectives not exclusively in the interests of their party but in the nation's welfare. This is where unity of purpose comes in. Indeed Mr Muscat rightly concludes: "Labour's role is to be seeking the maximisation of the related advantages of the EU membership, while staying on the lookout for the negative effects of membership and work to minimise them."

It is quite obvious that the next five years are crucial to Malta. While Malta's independence is guaranteed, it must be borne in mind that the island is no longer alone. In a year's time Malta will be a member of the greater unity that is the EU.

Responsibility within the EU

Life must go on with all its good and not-so-good incidents. Yet we have a union of states to lean on, economically, socially and administratively. We will have the benefit of the experience of bigger and more powerful nations like Germany, France, Italy and the UK. They will be ready to help and guide us not as subordinates but as equal members of the EU. Therefore Malta will have to share responsibility for the acts of the Union. These are based on peace, prosperity and solidarity, what else is needed in the civil administration of any democratic nation?

Culturally we stand to benefit. We will also contribute by diffusing our own culture and sharing our millennial precious heritage. This sharing assumes also the responsibility for the safekeeping and maintenance of heritage that is at once our own national, as well as European and World Patrimony.

Opposition's obligations

The Opposition has a positive obligation to perform in Parliament. It is true that the Constitution does not provide any guidelines for the Opposition's role. But it is wrong to assume that no duty is incumbent on the Opposition. Just as Opposition MPs, like Government MPs, have a duty to their constituents, so all MPs have the same duties and owe loyalty to the nation.

Once they are elected to the House of Representatives, they are there for the duration of the legislature to govern and administer Malta. Parliament, composed of Government and Opposition, is responsible for the whole of Malta. All Maltese and Gozitans have a fundamental right to expect Parliament to act as protector and provider for the nation.

It is illogical to argue that the Opposition owes loyalty exclusively to their electors. Malta, being small in population, cannot afford to go along the way relying only on 52 per cent of the people. Parliament is the supreme legislator and not a house divided.

In the long run it makes sense for all MPs to adopt the motto of unity of purpose. This does not in any way mean that there is to be consensus in everything. If this were so, there would be no democracy but an authoritarian regime. Still, the Opposition has to act responsibly and as a worthy alternative government in that its comments and advice should always be constructive.