One is born a politician but one has to make politics. Making politics as a member of the European parliament is an all new experience to all candidates of whichever party. This makes this challenge and my candidature even more interesting, exciting and motivating.
In a few weeks time we will be voting to elect five Maltese citizens to represent us in the European parliament. I have decided to roll up my sleeves and give a service to the country and its people by running for these elections. No more at the backstage. I want now to be one of the actors performing the show in order to make a success of our accession to the EU.
I believe an MEP needs to be brave, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. But let us not get carried away with the knowledge we have. Einstein once said that "whoever undertakes to set himself as a judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods".
But I do promise all the citizens my utmost energy to get the best for Malta and Gozo. We can produce any result we truly desire most. We can create and obtain possible opportunities only if we can use all our resources effectively.
An MEP needs to be energetic. The pressure on an MEP's time is great. It is the role of the MEP to set the framework of legislation for the member states. This is done in conjunction with the European Commission and the Council of Ministers. Plenary sessions in Strasbourg take one week a month. The other three weeks are mainly taken up by committee or group meetings in Brussels. Most MEPs are members of at least two parliamentary committees.
In addition, MEPs are expected to keep in touch with their political base in their country. And I also intend to keep in touch with the people.
As MEPs, we should be as close to the citizen as possible. We need to communicate clearly what Europe is all about. The "realities" about Europe and not the "abstract" about Europe. We should try to avoid talking about Europe in Euro-jargon. Europe has a direct impact on every citizen's way of life.
It is our duty to debate clearly with the citizen of Malta, the citizen of Europe, the realities of being in the European Union.
The election of the MEPs has nothing to do with the popularity of the national government, or with whether the Leader of Opposition retains his post or otherwise. Although it is inevitable that during this campaign we will discuss national policy issues, it is important that we also debate Europe and European issues, and how these affect the Maltese and Gozitan citizens. The June election is simply another vote for active participation of the Maltese in the European institutions.
All MEPs are required to belong to a political group in order to participate within the parliamentary system. Individual members can play an important role in defining a group position. Our MEPs should be non-confrontational within the different political groups with the sole aim of bringing out the best opportunities for Malta and Gozo.
Finally, the MEPs will have the task and challenge of managing the new Europe for the next five years. I am ready to be one of those MEPs and accept the challenge.
Honoured to have been selected by the Nationalist Party to run these elections, I look forward to move on, on what the Prime Minister has advised me to be - a true and worthy ambassador of Malta and all its citizens.
Dr Spiteri Bailey, LL.D. LL.M. EU (Employment & Social Policy) Law, is a PN candidate in the European parliament elections.