Nearly a year after our country went to the polls, the difference between the two main political forces in our country cannot be more evident.
On one side, there is a political party that is clearly divided, where the former leader seems to be vying for the top position again, while on the other side there is a bigger movement for change led by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
The good news is that while Muscat is without a doubt pivotal for all the success that Labour has achieved so far, and will continue to achieve in the future, there is another element that is equally fundamental. Our party, Partit Laburista, is built on values.
Labour Day was not an answer to the Daphne Project
We are guided by these values when it comes to choosing what policies to follow and decisions to take. As it was explained during the Prime Minister’s speech in the final session of the Labour Party’s General Conference, change is not easy. Sometimes the status quo can be more comfortable for a politician who prefers to steer clear of controversy. But, that is not what our country needs. The Malta of Tomorrow needs a government that has the courage to take the necessary steps for change today.
In our case, these steps are inspired by the values of social justice, social mobility, equality and national unity. Throughout the nearly 100 years of its existence, the Labour Party has always championed these values. However, after Muscat was elected leader 10 years ago, he put them at the forefront of Labour’s agenda once again. The Labour Party reinvented itself in many ways, without, however, losing sight of its core values.
These values were echoed very clearly both during Labour’s General Conference held last week and last Tuesday when Muscat addressed thousands in Triton Square to celebrate the successes that our country has achieved and what more we can achieve.
Because Labour Day was not an answer to the Daphne Project as some tried to spin it. It was a great opportunity for our party, its supporters and everyone else who wished to celebrate the fact that Labour in government has delivered a strong economy, employment for all, reduced poverty rates and a country that is distributing wealth to those who need it most. We are also the party striving for true equality.
These, among many others, were great achievements but together, through our unity, we can achieve much more.
I would like to focus on a part of the Prime Minister’s speech last Tuesday. During the first legislature, employment was given top priority to achieve social justice and, along with other initiatives, took thousands out of poverty. Free childcare services for parents who return to work or choose to study, tapering of benefits and the in-work benefit were crucial initiatives that made a difference.
Now we need to take the next step. During this legislature, housing will be high on the agenda. The government is determined to help those who do not have their own home and who cannot afford it on their own. The aim of this is so that families will not rely solely on the government to provide housing.
A large-scale social housing project on a number of different sites has already started. Around €60 million have already been invested to build 680 new apartments for those who are truly in need. On some sites, there are excavation works going on, while on others there are tenders that are being prepared for the phase of construction and finishing. However, this is not enough to overcome the waiting lists that resulted from the lack of action of more than one Nationalist administration.
Therefore, on Tuesday the Prime Minister announced that €50 million from the National and Social Development Fund will be allocated towards a social housing project for around 500 new residences. This means that in a few years Malta will have over 1,000 new social housing units, at a total investment of €100 million. This will support more people to move out of poverty and be less dependent on government. More people will take control of their future.
A future in a proud nation where on Labour Day, we do not take to the streets in protest but celebrate our success, our improved working conditions and the highest rate of employment in our country’s history. I am convinced that we can keep this momentum. This project will be one of many that will prepare for Tomorrow’s Malta.
However, to safeguard all of this we must stand united as a country more than ever before. We must not let the negative agenda of a few people struggling to take over the Nationalist Party again drag the country down in their conflict.
The country must keep moving forward. Malta of Today is an A+ country but Labour will ensure that the Malta of Tomorrow will be even better.
Aleander Balzan is director of communications, Partit Laburista.