I’m not sure what the gods have done to this country. Even some myopic diehard Nationalists felt some relief when the hell of the PN administration was thrashed into the gloom and the Labour Party took over Castille and the rest of Malta.

As an observer—not someone without a very strong opinion—I waited and wondered. For Malta’s sake and in the hope that this country deserves to remain a good spot to live in I thought we should give the new government time before damning them.

The culture aspect should have been one area which could go ahead with no problem. Yes, few are the perfect things in life, but the formidable duo of David Felice and Davinia Galea was hard to beat, with one heading the V18 project and the other the Arts Council.

Everything was proceeding smoothly until the hand of Labour decided they should be axed. Culture in the hands of the wrong people not only goes down a rung but falls dramatically from its ladder straight into a tub of mediocrity. With culture given less importance this government goes on in its inexorable de-masking. It is too quickly taking on the semblance of the Mintoffian regime where culture and education were used as just a means to turn our children into diehard socialists who loved, and cherished, our leader.

But if ruining culture is abominable, touching tourism means we truly are on the way down the chute. The attack on Josef Formosa Gauci, MTA CEO, in L-Orizzont is, I predict, part of a stratagem to oust him, and to install another stooge in his stead.

Tourism under Formosa-Gauci has flourished. Everyone in the trade agrees he has been the supremo of the tourism entity from heaven. He knows his stuff, he can lead, and he delivers. So far, the ministry has been in agreement with the trade in full support of the man, his integrity and his worth. Long may this last and long may our tourism be left well alone to move on and keep the economic momentum going.

This country’s credibility is fast disappearing. Stem it now before it is far too late. If the post of MTA CEO was offered to some Billboard star before the election, tell them the post is not vacant and if need be offer them a one-way ticket to Mars. Tourism is set to grow there too.