Brussels has once again burst a Malta Labour Party bubble. This is becoming all too common but it seems the PL and its leaders have an infinite supply of bubbles to blow. The downside of all of this is they are losing the little credibility they had as fast as they are blowing these bubbles. After having irresponsibly blown their horns with incessant negative campaigning over the opening of the Sant’Antnin recycling plant, this supposedly progressive movement targeted the extension of the power station only for the European Commission to decide there was no case of violation of EU rules.
In the case of the recycling plant, Commissioner Stavros Dimas had, in an answer to a parliamentary question placed by MEP Philip Whitehead, stated that “the Commission has not identified elements which could demonstrate that the requirements of the EIA directive (Directive 85/337/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain private and public projects on the environment as amended by Directive 97/11EC) have not been respected”.
This is a categorical statement that confirms the fact the Socialists engage in mud-slinging campaigns without first checking the facts and in the hope that some of the mud will stick.
Unfortunately, the PL has used the same tactics this time round as well, engaging in a campaign of speculation and misinformation. The matter would be laughable if it weren’t so serious. After the European Commission issued a statement stating that after a thorough analysis the infringement proceedings against Malta were now closed, the PL still tried to twist the facts implying in an indirect way the Commission only partly investigated the case.
It seems to me the only interest of the PL and its components is not that the truth be known but political advantage. The interest of the country is not on the agenda of the Socialists; their one and only aim is to shed a dark shadow on the Administration with a cheap tactic to try and win a few votes.
We have to keep in mind that the reputation of our country is at stake. These are serious matters and we cannot afford to make such blunders. Elections and votes should be won by presenting the best electoral programme and by seriously and effectively showing the electorate the alternative is the better one. Labour has yet to learn or, rather, put into practice the praxis that in order to move forward we have to be united on the international front to promote and attract as much investment as possible to our country. These petty squabbles and cheap tricks used by the opposition do us no good.
Labour has to start winning over people with facts and deeds not with words that go up in smoke after they are challenged. It’s all too well and easy to make allegations and look popular but one has to have the mettle to govern well and to steer the country through troubled waters just like the Nationalist Administration did during the economic turmoil Europe has been through.
Leading a country is a huge responsibility and it involves much more than waving to crowds and smiling on television. Leading a European Union country is an even greater responsibility and a country like ours cannot afford to choose the wrong leader and, indeed, the wrong party. These events have shown us the Socialists are not yet ready to govern.
Marketing campaigns may make the Socialists and their leader look all new and rosy but we want someone who is able to make difficult decisions when situations require so. As Ronald Reagan said: There are no easy answers but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right. I truly believe it is in the best interest of our country to choose someone who can make such choices.
The author is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.