With reference to Tim Ripard's letter Political Spinning And Letters To The Press (2) (December 15), once again I insist that the truth is that the Labour Party always practised and emphasised the importance of integrity and decency, of treating people fairly.
If Mr Ripard desires to go back in the past and mention the party's old strategies, how about we mention the 1960s, when the Nationalist party had the Church on its side? And when Labour supporters were in mortal sin and were interdicted, forbidden from burying their dear departed in the public cemetery. (In fact the Church lately made a public apology for this). What about when the PN voted against the right of women to vote? And needless to mention the deeds of the corps of "tal-Gakketta Blu".
Mr Ripard questions my knowledge of Labour's recent-past engagements. What about commenting on some of the economic achievements during the Labour's government. Let's start off with the elimination of beggars from our streets, thanks to the creation of a solid welfare state, which included social benefits, children's allowances, maternity leave, vocational leave, and the introduction of a minimum wage as well as bonuses amongst many others.
Shall we recall the progressive accomplishments in the area of free education and the law which came into being in favour of children's schooling until 16? What about the successful attainments in the health sector including free medicine? The Labour government dispensed free land to those who were entitled to it. Needless to mention the accomplishments made through the setting up of Air Malta, Sea Malta, Telemalta, Water Works, Enemalta and Xandir Malta, along with the investment made through BOV and Mid-Med Bank (which was sold for few shillings). It is true that there were certain quotas and restrictions, however Malta was not the only country to undergo such measures, and in the end it was in the country's best interests in order to get back on its feet.
Mr Ripard also mentions Alfred Sant's anti-EU stand. The Malta Labour Party has always been a pro-EU party, and proposed a different relationship. EU membership is a closed chapter. The people opted for membership. Having said that, a couple of months later, the absolute majority of people voted Labour in the European Parliament elections simply because they know that both nationally and internationally, the Labour Party is a safe pair of hands. That is why the Labour Party has the majority of MEPs and that is why they are doing very well. The Labour Party has always been close the families.
Integrity and decency? Proudly, I can say that Dr Sant is undoubtedly the ideal role model. Was he ever charged with corruption? Has there every been any sign of sleaze in his administration? No! On the other hand, recently he was proved right in the two cases filed over unfounded allegations of dishonesty.
In the end, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr Ripard for having offered me the opportunity to explain Malta's past and how it turned "into a reasonably progressive" state just like he stated. A lot of youths do not realise what life was like 40 years ago because we did not live in those days. Only the past can be an apt mirror for the future.