Since World War II, these islands have managed to achieve high living standards. We have also reached high standards in various sectors and professions. Today, the economy has reached a stage whereby jobs are not only available to locals but also to foreigners.

Malta is the only country in the world to introduce free childcare centres. Others cannot understand how we have managed to do this when they failed to, despite being wealthier. This development enabled mothers to work, retain their professional practices or pursue their studies. This, in turn, made the workforce stronger and raised education standards.

No wonder our islands were recently classified as being among the best countries where one can live decently and then retire safely. If this is not a success story I don’t know what is.

The above came about thanks to the efforts of one and all and as a result of the political evolution throughout the years. So credit must go to all those involved in the political arena. Our islands do not enjoy any raw materials except our ingenuity and intellectual abilities.

Now our country is looking forward to introducing other aspects to those listed above. These are in the educational and medical fields.

Criticism came from various sectors before these projects were even started. Personally I find this infantile and destructive as one has to try and evaluate these projects when they are up and running. Only then can anyone, irrespective of which views one holds, make a real and honest evaluation of these two major projects.

Recently many are writing and appearing on television saying they want a revision of the Constitution. Fair enough. But, and I stress on a big but, what exactly do these want to change in our Constitution? President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Austin Bencini, two experts in this field, have both asked which particular item in the Constitution is being targeted for change. All of it or just parts? If so, which items need to be revised?

When reading Simon Busuttil’s document on good governance I noticed that his proposals are not constitutional but regulatory amendments for governance which do not require constitutional changes. So let’s deal with regularity amendments by all means but I would like to hear someone stating which constitutional clauses one wants to change and for what reasons.

I believe that our highest institution is at a crossroads where parliamentarians have to decide which way to go

I do agree that it is time for our parliamentarians to be elected on a full-time basis. They should also be equipped with offices and adequate staff to carry out research work for them. Hundreds of European sets of proposals are not being looked at and taken up by our parliamentarians as they simply can’t cope with the workload while also attending to their professions.

I believe that our highest institution is at a crossroads where parliamentarians have to decide which way to go. Either dedicate their time to Parliament and to their country or to their personal profession. I believe that a major breakthrough must be made by all political parties and candidates.

An important element which has been, and still is, insisted upon by the present and all former speakers is that the Office of the Speaker will be independent. This will help the Speaker to be freer and independent in his rulings as happened in the past, to which I was a witness.

Our newspapers also have to make a different and major breakthrough: that is by reporting actual and real facts and not go for headings which give the wrong aspect of any reality contained the article. People tend to read only the headings and carry in their minds the wrong impression given in the headline. This is wrong and misleading.

Newspaper editors also have an obligation to not publish hate and banal comments submitted by contributors. Some comments dishonour not only those who submit them but also, in my opinion, the editor and the newspaper.

Generally our country’s economy is doing marvels and must be encouraged to continue in this way.

The Maltese national airline has to be helped so that our islands not only keep our airline but also to see it grow. Our country badly needs a national airline. If one reviews the Cypriot situation, then one would see how important it is to keep and sustain our airline.

Citizens would also like to see more political discussions from divergent entities but without too much interruption and shouting. That is, they want more civilised discussion. This way people will be informed of valid and different political views which are understood by one and all.

Our islands are still maturing in a most positive way. All of us have moved forward and hopefully expect to continue to do so. Our finances are being moved in the right direction.

What is lacking is that citizens voted Labour into government by believing that transparency and meritocracy would be established in our political system and way of life. Until now this has not been achieved and citizens are rightly asking government for these elements.

Lastly, Maltese and Gozitans are more conscious and protective of our countryside and green areas, as it should be. Building outside development zones should be prohibited unless it is in the general interest of the country. I am in favour of the university or higher educational development at Żonqor Point.

It is only when one comes from depressed or economically less developed areas that a person can appreciate the economic benefits that such projects can bring to locals. As a Gozitan, where we are always left for last, I do appreciate this project much more than others.

I look forward to seeing more financial improvement in 2016 for lower and medium earners in a much more hurried way and in real terms as well.