Keeping up appearances was a popular British sitcom with a worldwide audience. It centered on the life of Hyacinth Bucket and her attempts to impress and keep up her appearance.
Is the government following in Hyacinth’s footsteps? The aftermath of the publication of the damning report by the National Audit Office over the expropriation in part of a Valletta palazzino seems to substantiate this. The report follows other debacles.
Clearly, this was not a one-off scandal. The Café Premier bailout is another classic example of sleaze. Numerous other cases of bad governance, lack of transparency, clientalism and cronyism are featuring too often to go unnoticed. This is fast eroding government’s credibility. The latest independent survey confirms this fallout.
In reaction, the government, like Hyacinth, is pulling all possible ropes and PR stunts to keep up its appearances. The party media and the PBS newsroom are being very supportive.
As much as Hyacinth used to be embarrassed by her family members, in particular with Daisy and her husband Onslow, the government was embarrassed with Michael Falzon’s debacle. After eight months of procrastination, the government had to keep up its appearance and save face. It had no other option.
Although the Prime Minister is a master of puppeteering public opinion, public Joe is starting to inquire about the fine print
Falzon’s innocence pledge and his attempts to portray himself a victim of circumstance all indicate a forced resignation. His voracious attack on the NAO officials and comparing himself with the crucified Christ continued to demean the man. Is Falzon turning out to be another Onslow? Many are coming to hold that he is not alone. He is in good company.
Particular Labour star candidates are lately becoming more of a liability than an asset. After just three years in office, the Labour Party has lost its sex appeal.
Prior to the 2013 election, it was rather ‘sexy’ to be in with Labour. Many are now questioning their preference to Labour. A growing number of citizens are questioning whether the government has a credibility issue. Some honest Labour sympathisers are no longer amused. Many are adding a ‘pinch of salt’ to all the government rhetoric and gloss.
Although the Prime Minister is a master of puppeteering public opinion, public Joe is starting to inquire about the fine print.
The feeling of many is that what one sees is not what one gets. What was then pledged with pomp and conviction has turned out to be gloss. If one had to scratch the surface, one would be surprised to find old Labour at its best. Labour built its winning strategy on appearances losing its ‘soul’ in the process. It preferred image over substance. The oligarchy may have changed only to be replaced by another inner circle of friends.
This is harming not only the Labour Party credentials but it is damaging the reputation of the whole political class. People are being suspicious more than ever of politicians and what they say. This does not augur well if we care to live in a stable, healthy democratic society.
The latest marketing twist is that the Prime Minister, in his personal capacityas an MP, has instituted a court case against the Land Department. Muscat is seeking to have the deal nullified in a long court process.
In Café Premiere’s case, he opted for a shortcut bailout. Is this not two weights two measures? Coincidentally, Muscat is also the minister responsible for Lands. Is he suing himself? Muscat versus Muscat? No wonder that legal experts are baffled.
If the Prime Minister wanted to be taken seriously, he would not have squandered eight months biding his time. The findings of the NAO report were long his.
As much as Hyacinth crowed about her ‘executive-style’ candlelight suppers, the government is swaggering about its economic performance. In doing so, the Labour spin doctors hope that government’s dark side is concealed. Although the government is to be partially credited with this result, this was also possible due to hard and unpopular decisions taken by previous Nationalist administrations and to the improved international economic scenario. Oil price is in its lowest ebb.
The government is not only using the economic certifications as a trump card to impinge good appearances but is trying to silence critics by recalling past bad governance episodes. What was bad then is bad now.
Trying to spin facts is dishonest. By harping on the past mistakes, the government is hoping that the present bad episodes fade into irrelevancy and insignificance.
Although many are impressed by their purchasing power, many more find particular values, such as public integrity, honesty, accountability, environment, health, meritocracy, good governance, caring for the vulnerable and other basic democratic values as crucial to the fiber of our nation.
Hyacinth’s husband was not impressed. Richard used to protest but failed to stand up to her and ended being a henpecked husband.
Let’s hope that our discerning citizens see through government’s appearances and stand up to be counted.
Albert Buttigieg is a Nationalist Party candidate and a St Julians’s local councillor.