In the early 1970s Black Sabbath released an inspiring song called Changes which dealt with relationship losses. This iconic band also penned songs dealing with social instability, political corruption, the dangers of drug abuse and the horrors of war.

Labour has been happy to avoid rocking the boat, a decision which saw Malta losing out on golden opportunities- Caroline Galea

For readers who share my now ‘mature’ age, this band surely needs no introduction and the very mention of this song will take us all down memory lane.

I was reminded of this song while enjoying my morning read of the local Sunday papers recently.

As the mercury starts rising on the political thermometer, local publications seem to be brimming with references to this word which seemingly will herald the metamorphosis of our political parties.

However, upon further investigation it transpired that this word change – bidla – is being bandied about by the Labour Party to further consolidate a cosmetic makeover and a seeming transformation in a bid to take over votes.

“A certainty of change which in itself will bring certainty.” This is what Joseph Muscat was quoted as saying during a recent meeting organised by the Labour in Ta’ Qali.

A difficult line to follow but which presumably refers to Labour’s conviction of a clean sweep at the next general election with promises of a “change” from a PN government.

A change which allegedly will bring about even further changes in its confirmation of certainty for the country. This ambiguous statement has become typical of Muscat’s political speeches and deserves a thought or two.

Why not change? Change is considered as fresh, new, brimming with cutting edge opportunities. Some of us may be resistant to change in our personal lives and zealously protect our comfort zone. Others throw in the towel and experiment with their adventurous streak.

All fine, except that this is on a personal level where other people’s lives and livelihood do not depend on our whimsical decisions.

In politics the situation is more than a tad different. Certainly there is no place for experimenting when it comes to voting since that personal expression on the ballot paper will determine who will be taking crucial decisions in the next five years for our country. Decisions that will affect our livelihood, our lifestyle, our children’s education, the stability and progress of our country...and more!

So let us consider what real change is. History will confirm with absolute certainty that the local protagonist for change has always been the Nationalist Party.

Labour has always been reluctant to change since change necessitates a degree of courage, determination and vision.

In past legislatures, Labour has been happy to avoid rocking the boat, a decision which saw Malta losing out on golden opportunities to progress and grow as a nation.

On the other hand the Nationalist Party has always championed change and proudly boasts an impressive list of achievements to justify this, spanning a number of years from the achievement of Independence to joining the EU and introducing the euro, the quantum leap of success in the digital world together with a huge number of reforms.

Reforms which essentially have meant massive changes despite at times facing resistance from reluctant interest groups and thinly veiled partisan machinations.

Labour’s clarion call to change simply because the Nationalists have been in power since 1998 simply will not hold. We do not live under a dictatorship and the Nationalist Party has always been democratically elected since 1998 simply because the majority believe that the Nationalists have a better “roadmap” for our country than Labour does.

If Muscat believes in change so much, he should stop trying to bring this about simply on the strength of weakening the Nationalist incumbency but concentrate more on changing his party to present a more credible alternative to the electorate.

To his credit, he has in the past three years or so worked actively on this and his media experience has served him well in revamping his party. However, past the new slogans and freshly pressed pale blue ties, the Labour Party still has 12 MPs on its benches who were first elected to Parliament 20 years ago. Of these, 11 will be contesting again. In stark contrast, only five Nationalist MPs with the same parliamentary experience will be re-contesting.

This is how change is brought about. Change is not about accusations and hollow promises. Change is about having a party with energetic representatives swelling with fresh ideas. Change is about success and prosperity, factors which also come with a degree of goodwill.

A synonym for change is revolution. The Nationalist Party is happy to revolt on our behalf to ensure a safer and brighter future for our children.

Where people in other countries are revolting on the streets against their governments for wage cuts and increase in tuition fees, we will shortly be preparing for a peaceful, democratic election after a legislature marked by an incredible list of challenges that seemed to crop up out of nowhere interminably.

We have made it successfully together this far... let’s not risk it simply to succumb to change. Winston Churchill once famously said there is nothing wrong with change as long so it is in the right direction!

info@carolinegalea.com

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