It seems that most of the financial ills afflicting Europe can be solved by raising the pensionable age. May I suggest that Maltese MEPs propose raising it to the improbable age of 90 so that all the moneys being paid out in pensions would be diverted elsewhere? It would be propitious to make speeches about the idea that although people do contribute towards their old age, the definition of old now has to be revised because life expectancy (never mind quality of life) has increased, and anyway, saving euroland is of too great importance for Draconian measures not to be taken.

I suggest Maltese MEPs point out how the individual is never as important as the collective, too. They would garner applause, I am sure, for that is what most leaders are slowly tiptoeing to. Why make it hard for them? Working till 90 has many benefits and advantages which I shall leave for readers to explain and illustrate.

Work keeps one hale and healthy, as we say in Maltese. The devil provides work for idle hands, and in any case, people who matter don’t really need a pension because they have feathered their nests.