We have now been told that the European Union wants to cut our budget for the next seven years by 45 per cent. This has come as a shock to the Prime Minister.

Lawrence Gonzi has been receiving delegations from all over Europe and boasting how Malta has one of the lowest unemployment figures in the eurozone, practically on a par with Germany, how our economy is flourishing while others are floundering, how our industries are continuously increasing exports, etc. and, yet, he was surprised by the EU’s decision.

I am inclined to tell him: “serves you right!’’

Instead of boasting, he should have said that our deficit has been increasing constantly so that, in the last four years, it was up 1 billion. He should have told them that their own figures show that those on or below the poverty line have risen from 80,000 to 88,000. He should also have explained why the Budget allocations for education and health have been reduced by €7 million and €8 million respectively.

How can we believe the statements the Prime Minister makes every Sunday? No doubt, at the end of the month we shall have a glowing Budget promising heaven on earth and which a sober government will have to sort out. Malta must choose a government that speaks the truth and only the truth – fairy tales are for children, not mature people.

No doubt, we shall have the government we deserve.