Detached, disunited

Anyone who is familiar with "bustling" Gozo would never nowadays refer to it as a "hideaway". Neither would it cross anyone's mind to use the terms "in retreat in Gozo" to describe an activity held there. Only someone trapped in a time warp, totally detached from reality or harbouring some ulterior motives, would describe an activity held in a leading Gozitan hotel as being held "in the seclusion of the village of San Lawrenz".

The author of these uncomplimentary depictions and derogatory remarks clearly shows he is totally out of touch with Gozo and the Gozitans. Insinuations that the venue chosen in Gozo is comparable to an out-of-the-way cove used by smugglers for their shady wheeling and dealing is simply unacceptable. Gozo is not a pirates' coven. It is not a hideout. It is a gem of the Mediterranean and no Labour Party columnist should ever be allowed to publish such negative connotations simply to gain political mileage.

The Nationalist Party does not need any "hideaways" to go about its work. Neither did the general council go "in retreat" in some secluded area. It chose Gozo because Gozitans' interests lie very high on the party's agenda. The PN wanted to offer a hands-on opportunity for Gozitans to host and actively participate in such an important event, which they did with great success.

Unlike the MLP, the PN has always held the Gozitans' well-being at heart. Primarily, it acknowledges Gozo's unique characteristics and recognises its particular needs. It created and continues to support a Ministry for Gozo.

It commissioned the construction of three state-of-the-art ferries-cum-appropriate passenger terminals in spite of Labour's vehement opposition. (If it were up to Labour, Gozitans would still be, come rain or shine, left in the lurch). Furthermore, during the EU negotiations, the Nationalist government succeeded in safeguarding Gozo's distinctiveness and ensured that the European Union recognises its "region" status. How ironic!

Now we have some people who want to chop it up into pieces!

The Nationalist government has called upon the opposition to vote in favour of the necessary constitutional changes in the electoral law to reinstate Gozo to its previous electoral status: one electoral district. While the proposal reaffirms the PN's constant concern for Gozo and the Gozitans, the MLP's refusal to tango spells the opposite.

The Leader of the Opposition wants the status quo, sanctioning Ghajnsielem's disconnection from Gozo. He says that these "new" electoral boundaries are the best they have been for these last 30 years. Shame on him! He has also stated that the constitutional amendment proposed by the PN to retain Gozo as one undivided district, is a gimmick. Oh well, we all know who the "gimmicks" expert is, don't we?

Unfortunately for the Gozitans, the Leader of the Opposition is not a lonely voice in the desert. A pure bred Gozitan Labour Member of Parliament has given his party blind support admitting he will simply do what the MLP tells him to do, that is, endorse Gozo's disunification. The other Labour Gozitan Member of Parliament has opted not to commit herself. Shame on them too!

All Gozitans should unite and pull the same rope. In truth, the Labour mayor of Sannat did try to stand by his convictions. He was bold and honest enough to admit that Gozo should not be split up but, sadly, he had second thoughts, I wonder why?

Parliamentary representatives and local councillors are not puppets on a string. They are the chosen few who answer directly to the people. They have a mind to think and a voice to speak. It's all well and good for them to toe the party line, but where basic values and principles are concerned they should stand up and be counted. Their constituents deserve no less.

Gozo has its own identity. It is an island. It is a region. It is one electoral district. A Gozo village cannot be severed from the mainland. Gozitans cannot just simply be cut loose. For heaven's sake, they must not be detached or disconnected from their motherland in any way!