The word meritocracy is a term used to describe a system, in this case political, where appointments are made on the basis of ability, merit and knowledge rather than on political bias.
Why is it that in Malta it seems that only supporters of the party in government have what it takes?
I must admit that, prior to the last election, I was favourably impressed by the repeated calls made by Joseph Muscat for national unity.
At every opportunity, he said that the country couldn’t move forward with the support of only one half of the population.
The PL based its slick campaign on the slogan “Malta belongs to each and every one of us”.
Today, with the benefit of hindsight, I must admit that I am somewhat disappointed. I hope readers will excuse me if, for the umpteenth time, I quote the Italian saying “tra il dire e il fare c’e di mezzo un mare”.
Call me naïve but just as I did when Lawrence Gonzi was elected, I believed that the system that had been in place for decades would in fact change with Dr Muscat.
It seems, however, that in our country, old habits never change.
I had hoped that at long last our country would finally use its best brains to move forward.
While I do not wish to specifically tarnish any of the appointees to the various government boards, several of them are debatable and questionable to say the least.
Why is it that in Malta it seems that only supporters of the party in government have what it takes?
It’s also an even greater pity because if ever there was a person who had the power and comfort of a substantial majority in order to change things and jump to the next curve, it is Dr Muscat.
In my humble opinion, and with due respect to him, he has probably missed a golden opportunity to make an early and significant mark on his premiership.
In the interim, we are being fed news on relatively trivial matters such as ministerial surprise visits, the cost of servicing the ex-prime minister’s car and how beneficial it is for the country that Dr Muscat will continue to use his personal car and receive compensation of a few thousand euro.
I have often criticised over-the-top pomp and glitter and I don’t condone excesses but there is a limit to everything.
Why is it always such a struggle to find a happy balance? I do not know of a prime minister of another EU country who does not have an official car.
Who are we trying to impress here? Why try to re-invent the wheel again and again?
As we say in Maltese “niżolqu fin-niexef” (we slip on dry ground).
According to Malta’s order of precedence, the post of prime minister is the second highest in the land.
Surely the holder deserves a suitable official car!
I did not agree with many aspects of the Piano project in Valletta and I continue to criticise it but, at the end of the day, what is done is done.
Why doesn’t the Government not finish the project as is and resist the temptation to spend additional millions of euros just to give the project its own imprint?
This is being rather childish and is also a waste of money.
If it is true that the new parliament building is not large enough for the size of the present Cabinet, additional office space can easily be made available at virtually zero cost at Palazzo Ferreria situated fewer than 100 metres away.
Another dilemma that keeps resurfacing and refuses to go away is where to site the monti.
I could question the commercial, social and touristic benefits of such a market in Valletta in this day and age but if we feel we must have one, might I respectfully suggest that we consider the conversion of the old food market in Merchants Street to accommodate the hawkers in uniform and attractive stalls.
I admit that it is still early days in this legislature and hopefully things will improve.
I sincerely hope they do as otherwise the appeals and promises made before the election will turn out to have been just hollow words.