Yesterday marked the 47th anniversary of our country’s independence. This date has marked the start of a new era for these islands. September 21, 1964 marked a new beginning and for the first time in this island’s history our destiny was in our own hands. The decisions we made from that day on concerned us and us alone and thus it was up to us to make the right choices in order for our country to move forward and prosper.

Our leaders never sought the easy way but the right way- David Casa

Forty-seven years is a relatively short time in a country’s history but one can certainly say that Malta has been completely transformed in less than half a century. From an island dependent on the British crown, used as Westminster deemed appropriate, we are now a sovereign nation that sits on the decision tables with the same people that ruled us an odd 50 years ago.

Through ups and downs we have prospered and we have grown, we have learned from our mistakes and we have become a strong nation. Our membership of the European Union is a confirmation of this and we are now consolidating these achievements and I believe that we are on the right track to make Malta one of the best places in Europe to live in.

All this did not happen by coincidence. Our leaders had a vision and a plan how to make that vision reality.

No step was taken blindfolded and no path was chosen without considering all the other options first. History has proved our leaders right.

There is no denying the fact that the Nationalist Party in government has always kept its appointment in history, be it Independence, EU membership or the introduction of the euro.

Our leaders never sought the easy way but the right way. The interest of our citizens was always the main priority and this policy has never changed. Having said this, no Prime Minister, no Cabinet and no party could have achieved this alone. Our success story is largely due to the fact that our leaders always believed in the potential of the Maltese citizens and in the capability of our workforce.

Unlike other political exponents in our country, Nationalist governments were never afraid to rise up to a challenge. They did this with the knowledge that these challenges would see us better off once they were conquered.

God only knows what Malta would be like now had George Borg Olivier given up the fight for independence and chosen Dom Mintoff’s way, or had Eddie Fenech Adami not pressed hard enough for Malta to join the European Union and chosen the fictitious partnership ideal that Alfred Sant preached about, or even had Lawrence Gonzi taken the Socialist leaders’ advice not to join the eurozone! We would have been just another rock in the middle of the Mediterranean with no say and very little value.

The turn of the millennium has brought with it new challenges and new realities. The turmoil in the financial world did little to help with the projected economic growth; however, diligent leadership has kept us moving forward albeit at a slower pace. The careful decisions taken by the Nationalist Administration are a guarantee that we will weather the storm much quicker than other countries.

The austerity measures taken by the government may have seemed unpopular at that time but we can now appreciate the courage it took to make such decisions and the logic of doing so.

Few would have thought that Malta would make such giant strides. Many were sceptical when we became independent; many others said that the big fish would swallow the small fish when we joined the EU. Gladly none of this sort of catastrophe happened and we are now a firmly established country within the EU. The smallest yes but certainly not the country with the least say! From my experience in the European Parliament, I can rightly say that our contribution is not only regarded as valuable but is very much sought after.

It is therefore in this spirit of thought that one must take one’s decision in whose hands to leave the running of our country. We cannot afford to lose all that we gained. We cannot afford to have leaders that keep their intentions hidden. We surely cannot afford to let those same people who led us during 16 years of darkness to lead us into a limbo again.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.