As readers know, my main focus has been on Brexit and I try not to interfere in domestic Maltese politics.

As an aside, allow to say that the decision to print new UK passports in France is symptomatic of the fact that, even before Brexit, British companies cannot compete with prices abroad. Even when working in a tariff-free environment, I do not believe we will be selling many Aberdeen Angus steaks abroad when the 67 per cent WTO tariff is applied. Unless we stay within the Customs Union, which means in all but words, we remain within the EU.

Eddy Privitera prompted me to write as an outsider about the Opposition in Malta. I have written before suggesting that Simon Busuttil is the man of the moment to lead the Nationalist Party to success. He has an untrammelled history of good intent and is a very honest politician who people can and do trust.

The Labour Party has created an environment where income from an expanding economy has filtered down to the poorest members of society. It has helped unify the fabric of Malta but no political party can stay strong if its opposition is as weak as Privitera suggests.

Malta has become the pride of the EU following sound economic policies to the benefit of all. It will be an impossible job for the Nationalists to beat Labour at the next election. Its youth membership is ailing and the average age of card-bearing members is by now well over 60. I cannot discover the average age of Labour voters but I suspect it is around 35.

I apologise for making these observations but unless the ‘old guard’ within the PN does not force radical change on its leadership and membership too, then it will wither on the vine. That would be a catastrophe for Maltese democracy.