Last Saturday, the Nationalist Party launched its new website – mychoice.pn – as part of the campaign for the upcoming election.

(The 1987) choice yielded dividends because our leaders believed in this country…- David Casa

With nearly all the households on the island having internet access, the website is an ideal way to get closer to people of all ages and from all strata of society. It is a means to talk to the people and to listen to what they have to say.

Nevertheless, I think it would be ideal to go a step further and ask ourselves the question: Why should my choice really be PN? What are the reasons that made the PN the choice of the people for the best part of these three decades?

It is undeniable that, since being trusted with the running of our country back in 1987, Nationalist-led administrations have transformed the country. From a postcolonial island that depended heavily on the “benevolence” of communist dictators and that was slowly turning into a welfare state, Malta became a member of the European Union with a say in the decision-making in Europe and with an economy that has grown steadily year by year.

This change was tangible. It paid dividends and is still ongoing. This change, which, as a result, made the PN the choice of the people, was not coincidental. It was all part of a vision, a direction that the PN wanted to give the country in order to achieve the best for the citizens.

The change was not made for change’s sake but it was the only way forward to give the people of these islands what they truly deserved. This change, inspired by the vision of a great statesman like Ġorġ Borg Olivier transformed this country from an island into a nation. This was possible because Nationalist administrations valued the choice that the people made, trusted in the capability of these same people and reached goals that were unimaginable.

Why should the PN be my choice yet again in 2013?

Today, we participate in decision-making meetings in Brussels with the leaders of Europe, the same Europe that Labour vehemently was against. This is the same Europe that allocates millions of euros yearly to help in the country’s growth. Prior to 1987, the leaders of that time preferred meeting North Korean, Chinese and Romanian dictators. Would you risk going there again?

Today, we have a record number of students who, out of their choice, pursue their studies in areas they decide on. The student-worker schemes with no meaning and practicality no longer exist. Instead, thanks to membership of the EU, students can benefit from exchanges abroad to broaden their knowledge and get hands-on experience. Our schools are all equipped with state-of-the art tools that help students interact and develop in the best ambience possible.

Thanks to investment by Nationalist administrations, our IT systems are among the most advanced in Europe.

Nationalist administrations were responsible enough to take tough decisions where it came to transport systems and the results are now there for everyone to see. A multitude of roads have been built in these last 25 years. These, plus the building of the air and sea terminals, Malta Freeport and many other major infrastructural projects, have put Malta on the commercial map and we can now rightly say that our island is an important business hub in the Mediterranean. Prior to 1987, one could barely make a proper phone call… If you were privileged enough to have a telephone, that is!

Malta was not only transformed economically and in terms of its infrastructure but special attention was given to the environment and the ambience we live in. There was heavy investment in developing more open spaces for families to socialise. Waste management was, for the first time, addressed in a serious manner even though certain exponents of the Labour Party tried to deny Malta about €17 million for the sake of some votes. Rural services, agriculture, fisheries and horticulture were all on top of the environmental agenda and the vast majority of those involved in this sector have all benefited from EU funding.

If any of our citizens had a choice to make, would s/he revert to the police force we had prior to 1987? Indeed, would any policeman revert to the conditions of 1987? Nationalist administrations gave the security forces their dignity back and, thus, the forces won back the trust of the people, knowing that every citizen is treated fairly irrespective of his/her political creed.

Dialogues, freedom of expression and freedom of choice were all ideals that we thought of longingly under socialist administrations. We all wanted change because there was need for it. We now live in a country that, despite all the turbulence around us, is doing well and is thriving with activity. We are living in a country that gives you the opportunity to succeed if you are capable enough and, even more so, a country that leaves no one lagging behind.

In 1987, the people made a choice. That choice yielded dividends because our leaders believed in this country then. Our leaders still believe in this country. Indeed, together everything is possible. So, yet again, your choice should be my choice – PN.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.