Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi appealed for political consensus, especially for the very important things that have to be undertaken in our islands. I think this is a splendid idea and one that should have been brought up and implemented years ago, also something that those who love Malta have been advocating ad nauseam.
However, this I believe is the first time in recent years that a major political party has been bold enough and sensible enough to come up with the suggestion.
Before readers think that this article is going to be a written party political broadcast on behalf of the Nationalist Party, I would like to state that both political parties have been guilty in the past of not working together for the general good but thinking always of a political advantage. The net result has always been a virtual stalemate, leaving an otherwise active, capable and intelligent country, virtually wallowing in controversy and inaction.
For once let all political parties think of one thing and one thing only and that is the general good of Malta and Gozo and the whole population living here. Not 50 per cent, or 46 per cent or any other percent, but the full 100 per cent.
If this was done, especially concerning the main points of national interest that affect all of us, then all parties would get the same political advantages and credit out of the exercise and the country as a whole would benefit.
The Prime Minister mentioned the environment, pensions, tourism and ports and health; to this I would also add the presently anti-social rent laws. All these subjects are of national interest and should be treated as a national exercise involving all parties.
To show good faith, bring in opposition members to help the government organise and solve these very important subjects in a truly politically co-operative way.
Work together, especially at this time of entering a new and exciting European market. A market that could, and should, be so beneficial to all people living in the Maltese Islands.
Political parties are essential in a democracy and a good strong opposition is very desirable but not everything that one party says is wrong and what the other party says is right and vice-versa.
There are also some things that should be above party politics and those things are the vital interests of the whole of the Maltese people. The nation of Malta.
The environment in which we live, the health of the people, the education of our children, the pensions for our aged population, tourism, our major job creator and income earner, our essential access for trade and the places in which we live.
If the political parties sort these problems out together, the huge majority of the sensible people of Malta will thank them and bless them for it. Mess it up by politicising everything and seizing advantage and the country will be status quo, ever divided and going nowhere fast.
I feel that the vast majority of the Maltese people are at present fed up of directly opposite politics. I also feel that the vast majority of Maltese would welcome a political consensus so that we can go forward twice as fast instead of one step forward and two steps back, as has been the case for far too long.