Politicians hailing from the Nationalist Party never fail to remind me of those ancient seers who conjured up apocalyptic scenarios or prophesised terrible outcomes.
Two years ago, the PN’s prowess in prediction seemed to be at its peak. We were hardly spared a moment of peace from the doom and gloom of the PN’s electoral campaign.
When I take my mind back to those pre-election weeks, all I can remember is the PN’s considerable effort to scare people out of their wits with prophecies of what would happen if the Labour Party were to be voted into government. What I remember most clearly are the so-called prophecies on the need for a bailout, rising unemployment, and the end to stipends.
If my life depended on it, I would not be able to tell with complete confidence whether the Nationalists had sincerely believed in their prophecies, or whether they had simply been lying through their teeth.
Last October, former finance minister Tonio Fenech was asked by journalists whether he still believed that Malta would need a bailout, as he himself had predicted some 18 months previously. A perfectly legitimate question, considering Malta’s brilliant economic performance.
However, Fenech seemed unperturbed. Apparently he had a witty reply up his sleeve.
We will definitely not be running headlong into any walls. Our map will make sure of that
Sure enough, there it was: “You will know that you have hit a wall, when you hit that wall,” he told journalists smugly. I was baffled then. I had thought the PN’s strongest point had been that of prediction, and here was Fenech telling us that there was no way of knowing when we were going to hit that infamous wall until our faces were practically plastered to it.
What had happened? Why had the PN changed tack?
Maybe they had finally come to realise that the time for prophecies had ended.
If the predictions had been tacky, this line of thought is even tackier. Before the last election, Joseph Muscat, then leader of the Opposition, had clearly outlined a road map for economic growth.
A map shows the point of departure, the road ahead, and the point of arrival. If it is a good map, it will even provide detours and outline possible hazards.
There are no mysteries or unknowns, and nothing to be afraid of. You only need to be armed with energy and optimism to complete the journey.
The road map devised by Labour has now shown us that it was a sound one. Nearly all of the milestones set have been reached, with only a few glitches here and there.
Muscat, now Prime Minister, not only possesses enough energy and optimism to see the journey through but he is also clearly able to inspire these traits in others.
Lower utility bills for families and now even for businesses have given a boost to our economy. As has the stability provided through hedging agreements on fuel purchases. Free childcare services have helped couples save thousands of euros every year and allowed others to pursue their careers unhindered.
The youth guarantee has targeted young people who were neither students nor employed, and provided them with opportunities.
These initiatives and many others have left us with tangible results that have been confirmed time and time again by the European Commission, as well as international credit rating agencies. We can now boast of a fast growing economy with the highest ever employment rates, at a time when other European countries are facing one financial crisis after another.
The terrain over which we have journeyed so far has stayed true to the pre-electoral map.
The road ahead promises to be just as good.
We might meet obstacles along the way but I am sure that they too will be conquered.
Most importantly, we will definitely not be running headlong into any walls. Our map will make sure of that.
Etienne Grech, a family doctor, is a Labour MP.