Times do change, as does a person from time to time. Even political parties are not exempt from this.

The international situation prevailing at the moment is indeed a worrying one. Looking at this crisis one realises how fragile the world economy was and that, even though the writing was on the wall, the world's most influential countries intervened when it was already late in the day.

Locally the government informed us that the prevailing crisis won't have the damaging effects witnessed by the US, Great Britain and other EU countries. Directly this crisis may affect us little yet indirectly our economy and livelihood could be badly hit. One has only to mention tourism to understand the dangers we are exposed to.

Unfortunately, at such a delicate time for our country, the government, by raising the utility tariffs excessively, will just add to the uncertainty.

By reducing the spending power of families the government will trigger a domino effect which would negatively affect our business community and endanger the livelihood of hundreds of workers.

It is ironic that nowadays people are bombarded on the need to consume less and to be economical when until a decade ago the same Nationalist Party was telling us that money was no problem and public finances were sound.

If most Maltese families live beyond their means it is to some extent because of the PN stand adopted at the time. It will take more than a government statement to change this reality.