Less than a year and a half ago the Labour Party had solemnly promised to the electorate that once voted into government it would hit the ground running. Much pomp was made of an erstwhile roadmap that supposedly mapped out a clear vision for the country for the coming years in many sectors.

In all fairness, Labour in government has made some enviable inroads with particular interest groups, (sometimes to the detriment of others). Its latest electoral foray has continued to bolster the coveted position it has been enjoying, leading to much swaggering and increased hyperbole from our Prime Minister and his coterie of ministers.

And yet, it is becoming increasingly obvious that when it comes to bread-and-butter issues such as the economy and the environment, it is fair to say that this administration is sinking beneath the weight of its half-baked promises.

Let me begin with the environment, which at any rate is inextricably linked to the other issue of economics. In the past 15 months, Labour has adopted a shoot first, ask questions later approach regarding the environment.

The first dark clouds appeared almost immediately after the election. In a blink of an eye, Mepa policies, Byzantine as they are, were unceremoniously chucked out of the window as catchphrases such as ‘ODZ boundary correcting’, revamped ‘high-rise planning policy’ and the jaw-dropping land reclamation sophistry became part and parcel of the political strategy game.

Let us for a minute leave the Opposition’s criticism aside. Res­pectable NGOs such as Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) and now even the Church’s inter-diocesan environment commission have given distinct definite thumbs down to this administration’s planning policies for the immediate future. While the latter commission was diplomatic in expressing its reservations citing “ill-advised and ambiguous” policies, FAA described the hastily rushed policies as nothing but a “dirty tricks bag”.

What our economy needs is surely not more ‘luxury residences’ but more thinking outside the box

And yet for all the ‘government that listens’ (Gvern li jisma’) lip service, the Labour Party in government steams ahead, bulldozing over the indignation of many calls coming from all around it. To boot, its continuing secretive approach continues to compound people’s preoccupations. The classic example must surely be the land reclamation stunt in which bidders were forced to sign confidential agreements binding themselves to non-disclosure of their offers and subjecting themselves to the complete whims of government.

The much-promis­ed open debate as to these overreaching projects remain unfulfilled as it seems clearer that it will be private sector interests that will increasingly dictate public policy instead of the other way round.

One therefore asks, why all this rush? Maybe last week’s press conference regarding the development of the White Rocks complex organised by Economics Affairs Minister Chris Cardona can confirm one thing. This administration has no idea how to kick start the economy beyond further ‘cementification’ of this tiny island. It is becoming evident that drooping economic figures and shrivelling productivity figures can only be hopefully rebalanced by Labour through more construction and building.

Labour in government is planning one final assault on our remaining shreds of open land (and now even open sea) in the name of growth, jobs and economic activity. Yet it seems most of us will continue happily sleepwalking into an environmental disaster of immeasurable proportion.

While the fiddling goes on, Malta’s economic prospects continue to slide. By the very beginning of this year Malta had already exported 23 per cent less products compared with the same time last year. This means Malta is now ‘enjoying’ the sharpest drop in exports in the 28 EU member states. In only two months (January and February) Malta exported €100 million less than last year. It means less productivity, less overtime and less money in our workers’ pockets. This not to mention the creep­ing figures of unemployment that continue their upward march month in, month out.

In Malta, planning and the issue of construction has and will always be a veritable hot potato. I would be the first to acknowledge that the Nationalist Party in government had committed its fair share of mortal sins in relation to the environment. Yet no one can deny that during the past legislature many efforts were made to stop the insatiable appetite for further building. No doubt the PN paid a price for this stance.

At this point I sincerely urge the government to rethink this foolhardy strategy of appeasement in the mistaken belief that further development is the ultimate solution for our economy. What our economy needs is surely not more ‘luxury residences’ but more thinking outside the box that will produce innovative and sustainable niches that create opportunity for entrepreneurs and high-value jobs for us and our children.

info@carolinegalea.com