The politics of tomorrow - September 21, 2004

When Malta became independent on September 21, 1964, there were some who commented that the Nationalist Party had reached its final political objective.

The PN, however, went on to defy its critics by redimensioning itself, on the basis of a clear vision for the future of the country, consisting of four main objectives: the safeguard of democracy and the rule of law; the development of self-sustained economy; the promotion of a social conscience and the admission of Malta into the European Community.

The past 40 years have indeed seen the PN realise and implement these objectives with the culmination being membership of the European Union as of May, 2004.

As in 1964, however, there are some today who comment that the PN has reached its final political objectives and that there is no new objective for it to champion. The flaw in such logic is that both independence and Malta's membership of the EU are not ends in themselves but, on the contrary, are means to an end, namely the development of a better future for Malta.

Forty years are however a long time in politics and the need today as well arises for the PN to regenerate itself, redimension itself and make clear to one and all its new vision for the country.

To have a clear vision, one has to have a sense of direction. But for a direction to be solid it has to be based on values, which we consider to be basic to our nation's heritage and identity. In this respect we have had Christianity as a guiding factor for almost 2,000 years.

Of vital importance to the PN is the development of Malta's economy and the promotion of job creation. Malta in Europe is going to have large opportunities, which we have to maximise on both as a government and as a private sector having access to the world's largest single market. We need to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, investment capacity and a favourable environment for all enterprises. We must release ourselves from the chains of old work practices and instil a sense of duty and discipline in our work. Nobody owes us a living. Not even Europe. It is we who owe it to ourselves.

The PN's extensive fiscal consolidation programme in the government, aimed at reducing the deficit to EU targets, has to be explained for what it is, namely necessary measures for avoiding national bankruptcy, the continuation of our social programme and ensuring the fiscal and economic stability necessary to attract investment.

We need to maximise on our geo-political location and our Euro-Mediterranean dimensions. It is here that we have to make a symbiosis between our foreign policy and investment promotion.

In this respect, the education field remains very relevant. We have to also give a sense of direction to our students as to what professions and vocations the country needs. Most important of all, we have to ensure the promotion of life-long and life-wide education and training in Malta.

But a realistic approach to the economy has to be accompanied by a sustained social conscience in the PN's vision for the implementation of social welfare. A social conscience devoid of economic realities may lead to national bankruptcy. Realistic economies bereft of social conscience can lead to national poverty. It is therefore essential that in the economic development that we have to promote we have to ensure that nobody is abandoned in our society.

Within the context of a party's social conscience we have to ask ourselves whether there is scope and meaning in distinguishing between a welfare state and a welfare society. There may be different approaches as to how to finance a national health system but there is one principle that we should never sacrifice: no one should be deprived of the best available medical care for lack of financial means.

Even in the pensions factor, there is no sacred cow in the system to apply or in the pension age. Yet again, no one in one's advanced age should be put in a position of not having the means to maintain oneself in dignity.

And, finally, the PN must lead in a new style of politics for our country.

Forty years since independence, politics, bereft of ideology, still present the greatest challenge to those who are involved in the general governance of the country. But this is a collective challenge not limited to the political class. For the unions and the entrepreneurs, those working in factories or in offices, all have a definite role in society. We are all in the business of shaping our country's future.

Dr de Marco is a Nationalist MP.