I think we have reached a stage in our history where we can finally agree on national unity. Of course, there are many issues which divide us, but I do not believe there is any real bitterness. Our Prime Minister and our Leader of the Opposition (and I stress our) are more or less of the same generation. I am sure that, whether they admit it or not, they are seeing very much eye to eye on the crucial issues or, at least, targets, as are, of course, the parties they lead. People of different political views can discuss issues and disagree amicably.
Gone are the days, which I remember very well, when I would not purchase goods from a particular shop or water at a particular pub because I did not agree with the owner's political opinions (and we would gang up to do - or perhaps not to do - that). Today this is all immaterial. Thankfully, we have all become tolerant of those with whom we do not agree politically, just as much as we have always been more or less tolerant of those with whom we have not agreed in other areas, such as, say, in the sports arena.
What are the serious issues that really divide us? I say none.
European Union membership is a reality and we are all trying to make it work, right across political party lines. I have met politicians in Brussels, be they MEPs or MPs from both parties, who are all active within the EU, trying very hard to get the best for Malta. We have sat and discussed matters together at Brussels airport or even in the European Parliament canteen, as true Maltese. I have witnessed their genuine enthusiasm and their keenness to get things done, irrespective of political beliefs.
A few days ago I participated in a public debate on freedom of expression and the future of broadcasting in Malta. It was organised by the Nationalist Party's Youth Movement. One of the speakers was a leading Labour MP. The others had Nationalist Party leanings. The discussion was frank and, I think, very productive. We all agreed that the structures running and regulating broadcasting, including that dinosaur of a Broadcasting Authority, need to be overhauled. One member of the audience congratulated the Labour MP for his courage at participating in a Nationalist activity. The MP replied that at no time during that evening had he felt intimidated.
The discussion was frank and ran very well indeed. My mind went back at least 25 years. Who would have dared participate in an activity organised by a political party opposite to his views then?
More recently, I attended an informal dinner of rather distinguished guests, among whom were a minister and a former leading Labour minister. It was great to hear them discuss, argue and even banter about the past and present political situation. Truly changed times. Disagreement perhaps, but no animosity. I thought this was so healthy.
We are truly moving forward in this country of ours. Foreign investment is coming in at a strong pace. We will all benefit. Of course, there will be disagreement and criticism on the details, but no one can disagree that Malta as a whole will benefit from all this. SmartCity @Malta leads the way. The Prime Minister's visit to Paris has also highlighted new investment for the country. Even Alfred Sant's visit to China will bring us positive results. The Labour Party delegation undoubtedly had the good of Malta as a whole in mind. Should it be in government in a couple of years time, I have no doubt that it will follow up all the present new investments in Malta's new manufacturing strategy, which is working so well, and will probably bring much more investment.
Differences are really small, although necessary in a democracy. Let us keep them that way.
A change in government should not change the course our country has chosen, be it within the European Union and world politics, or in the sphere of domestic policy in areas such as the rule of law, which, we hope, has been firmly established since 1987, and, more particularly, in those of social services (except pensions perhaps, where the MLP has to get its act together), local and foreign investment and employment. There is consensus in many areas. Financial services is a typical example. And even foreign policy.
What has been achieved must be retained. We must look forward to make the best of EU membership and consolidate our great achievements. And this must be done in full political cooperation.
There is certainly scope for national unity, although perhaps not quite a national government, particularly in the face of the serious threat facing our country from those disgusting cowards who are attacking us in the middle of the night. This is what has to be countered by all the parties together. We must all fight evil phenomena such as racism, which seems so alien to the hospitality and good nature of our people. What is going wrong? The parties, and indeed all institutions, have come out against this terrible xenophobia. But we need more action. We must have results from police investigations. We must have culprits and people going to prison. How is it possible that in a small country such as ours no one has yet been caught?
The latest attack on the residence of Daphne Caruana Galizia had loads of circumstantial evidence behind it. There was an activity organised close by before the attack. Has anyone been investigated? Have the "owners" of certain websites been interrogated? Has the person who ran over that poor man at Marsa, for apparent racial reasons, been identified? It was good for the Police Commissioner to hold a press conference and state that investigations into the arson attacks were at a delicate stage, but, although it is not any easy task, Mr Commissioner we need more. If these fascists are not nipped in the bud I fear they will mushroom and get out of control.