Appeal for rethink on opera house (2)

The Opera House saga has been bounced around by successive governments (bar Dom Mintoff's, I expect) for near on 70 years. I agree with Eric Parnis' letter (The Opera House Saga, December 30) in its entirety. The Prime Minister has resurrected the subject like a thunderbolt and has opted for a Parliament building. Lawrence Gonzi is quoted as having said that an Opera House is not required for Valletta - it has ample! He can't be serious. Every capital city in Europe has one, to my knowledge. An opera house is a centre of culture and it states volumes about the denizens of the country. Even Sicily boasts the Massimo in Palermo.

I can appreciate Col. Parnis' great displeasure and the overwhelming sense of futility Dr Gonzi has engendered.

He is not alone. However, I take a more sanguine view. The number of rabbits drawn from the top hat are legion and precious few survive the night: the Main Guard block was to become the Office of the Prime Minister; Castille, the House of Representatives; we were to have a spanking new underground bus terminus, and so on, almost ad infinitum. Yet replacing the now essential lift at the Upper Barrakka Gardens seems to have been beyond the government's capability after over two decades in power, baring a very short interlude.

These are all smoke screens meant to distract the electorate; part of the toolkit of political power and Dr Gonzi has refined his performance as Prime Minister and is now a polished politician.

I suggest Col. Parnis sits back and does not hold his breath - politics is a peculiar game.