It’s been nearly three years since Malta sounded out the need for change. This was demonstrated through the historic vote which was the result of a promise that has been materialising through the wide-reaching movement that Joseph Muscat managed to cultivate around the Labour Party. It created a clear break from the way politics was handled in Malta.
The movement Muscat has built welcomed within it people who, despite their non-congruency of political views, came together and agreed on the needfor change.
Today, halfway through, the country has changed in many different aspects and at different levels within society.
One of the major promises of our party and which our leader managed to harness was the hope for a better future for Malta. This is a commitment that the present government has upheld and has promised to continue to fulfill. The change can be felt throughout the country.
The Prime Minister hit the ground at full speed, immediately taking on challenges that a staggering and lethargic Nationalist administration left behind.
The previous government failed to see the writing on the wall - it had run out of steam and excuses on how to handle an ailing economy, serious deficiencies on the sustainability of investment throughout the country and nationwide discontent due to high fuel and utility prices, not to mention the direful state Enemalta was in.
It was less than three years ago that the European Union warned Malta of the alarming consequences it would have to face if the government’s debt position was not brought within acceptable Maastricht criteria parameters.
Within a very short period and halfway through this legislature, the socio-political and economic conditions have taken a completely different direction. The change promised is indeed materialising.
Malta has obtained accolades from leading global credit rating agencies and from the European Union that it now has a strong economy, the largest rate of growth among all EU countries and the lowest rate of unemployment.
Such a sharp contrast to pre-March 2013 economic conditions.
It is with great satisfaction that we can proudly say that the Labour administration associates itself with empowering women and assisting families through a number of positive schemes. The free childcare scheme is a clear example.
Change has come to Malta through the positivity and dignity that certain vulnerable segments of Maltese society had to face under the previous administration - from the VAT refund on the acquisition of vehicles to the removal of the voucher system for utility bills for vulnerable families.
The negativity of the leader of the Opposition is written on his face
We all remember that there were around 160 medicines chronically out of stock and a ‘new’ hospital that was planned to cater for the immediate future of Malta’s medical requirements.
Halfway through, the present government addressed this issue with care by investing in the health sector, not only by utilising St. Luke’s Hospital but also by attracting foreign investment to Gozo.
The change and positivity experienced under the new government is confirmed through the trust and confidence international investors have shown in Malta. From the Shanghai Electric Power (which was criticised by the Nationalist Opposition) to the American University of Malta and the presence of Barts Medical School, positivity is evident and cannot be denied. The beauty of this change is that it is not only a segregated few who are benefitting from it, but there has been an equitable distribution of economic growth and development in Malta overall.
When in opposition our Prime Minister had committed to instigate a political earthquake, a change in direction in the way politics is handled. While in power, this was demonstrated through the manner in which Emmanuel Mallia and Michael Falzon’s cases were dealt with.
Decisions were taken. Responsibilities upheld. Situations were tackled from a completely different stance. Long gone are the days when persons in power got away with everything and anything. This is definitely a reflection of the political maturity of the present administration.
This maturity can also be felt through the enacting of the law on party financing and more importantly the elimination of prescription vis-a-vis politicians and the enactment of the Whistleblower Act.
Sadly enough, we still deem that the Opposition is stuck in the past. The past haunts its evolution and can be found within its psyche. This culminates in the way it is addressing current issues. The negativity of the leader of the Opposition is written on his face.
The latest exploits of the Nationalist Party are the harsh attacks on our institutions whilst trying to gain political points. The fear and negativity thatare enshrined within the PN are not reaching out to the vast majority of the Maltese people.
Our country is experiencing the change that was promised before the general election. The successes achieved within such a short span of time fills us citizens with courage.
Halfway through we look forward to more and more successes yet to come.
Lydia Abela is secretary to the national executive of the Labour Party.