It was Aesop, the ancient Greek sage, who first coined the renowned phrase, ‘united we stand’. Many were those inspired by this phrase.

This was my message when addressing the recent Nationalist Party general council. The chosen theme was ‘Together for our country’. It was an appropriate choice. It highlights two intertwined notions: togetherness and homeland.

This is the very essence of politics. Politics ought not to be about my selfish bubble and neither about your grand designs. Politics is about us.

It is about our concerns, aspirations and our coming together as a nation. Politics is when we stand up together to promote, enhance and safeguard the common good. It is when the ‘we’ takes priority.

The common good is the soul of a nation. A nation becomes ‘soulless’ when the common good is usurped and conditioned by the agenda of the compulsive greed of the few rather than steered by the interests of the many. 

While I have no qualms in accrediting the Labour government with a number of positive initiatives, sadly its legacy is tainted. Although the government, in particular our Prime Minister, is enjoying a historical high trust rating, this does not exonerate him from the harm inflicted on the soul of our nation.

Governments and prime ministers come and go, since luckily they all come with an expiry date, but the damage done will be inherited by generations to come.

Sadly, the Labour government, to ensure the political power that it longed for, not only stopped being the voice of the left but systematically turned all government entities into one big, sleek, ego-massaging parlour. It unbolted the gates of selfishness.

Chickens came in abundance to roost while fat cats turned up to become fatter and fatter. 

Never before have we witnessed the glorification of the ego. It is truly L-aqwa żmien (best of times) for egocentricity. Never before have we witnessed so many selfish people being accommodated with utter disrespect to the detriment/well-being of the many others.

Common good seems to have lost its lustre. Maybe because it has enabled some to so easily go on an ego trip. Surely, Joseph Muscat is fully responsible for this, being the fine enabler and accomodator that he is.

Although over the years we had politicians being conditioned by the agenda of some, never before have we had the entire executive serving the few. The government has become a prisoner of the few who act with all impunity and brazenness. 

For those who might find my assessment too harsh, I cordially invite them to visit St Julian’s. Our locality is turning out to be a monumental manifestation of when greed gets out of control.

I choose to be an active citizen. I am determined to be a promoter of the common good

Ironically, this is only one of many façades of what greed entails. Those justifying the present enviornmental degeneration by recalling the past are using not only a stale argument but are giving particular fat cats an excuse to circle their greedy squares. 

Developments such as Mercury House, Villa Rosa Complex, the db monstrosity and the Corinthia developments are just a few examples of commercialisation, not to mention pavements and other public spaces. Nothing seems to quash their thirst. Will land reclamation be next, in view of the fact that all the then Paceville Masterplan proposals were approved by stealth? 

I and others firmly refuse to accept this rampant selfishness. We cannot remain silent or indifferent. We need to shrug off the mentality that as long as it is not in my backyard, I am okay with it. At this rate, it will happen in your back yard sooner than later.

I choose to be an active citizen. I am determined to be a promoter of the common good. So once more I will be contesting the forthcoming local council elections. Following my experience as deputy mayor, together with my other life experiences, I am determined to continue representing the interests/concerns of the many.

I have no other motives other than to serve our community.  It was not an easy ride then, and I am sure it will not be easy now. 

I have chosen three words to enlighten me: service – the need to be a ‘man for others’; commitment – a firm resolution to represent solely the interests of our community; and values – namely those of honesty, integrity, social justice and the environment, values I cherish and do not shy away from.

Together with my colleagues I humbly ask our residents and others to stand with us. Your vote is your voice that will strengthen ours to stand up and be counted. We need an assertive united voice now more than ever.

Not voting means giving more leeway to the greedy few to make abundant hay while the sun shines. Not voting will only strengthen their gratifications. Not voting will give this government a further licence to keep running roughshod over us.

United then we ought to be. Together we stand for the common good, integrity, good governance, inclusion, social justice and the well-being of our environment, which is the future of our children.

A small footnote: Aesop’s phrase concludes with the admonition that although united we stand, divided we fall.

Albert Buttigieg is deputy mayor of St Julian’s and a Nationalist Party candidate for the forthcoming local council elections.

This is a Times of Malta print opinion piece