Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1113313
OPINION 31 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 MAY 2019 Beyond the flags there's another country Evarist Bartolo Evarist Bartolo is Minister for Education and Employment IN the olden days, political debate was superficial and complex arguments were con- densed into simple tag-lines and one-liners. There was little discussion because the tribal side of politics reigned. This is no longer an absolute. Of course, tribalism in local politics is there and it is noisy. Often, we think it is all that exists. However, there is a silent majority, who are more analytical and rational. They have regular jobs and regular lives. Their parents might have belonged to one party or an- other, but they are less rooted. They think and reason and try to understand the complex world we live in. This is why I cannot under- stand the reasoning of the Nationalist Party today. It still focuses on the tribal side of politics, and that alone. In the past two years have you ever heard of one proposal? You'd think a national vote would change that, but still, today, there are no new or fresh ideas. The Government moves along pushing the boundaries with projects such as the Gozo tunnel, and drives the energy to create and propose. You cannot say the Government is simply proposing for the sake of winning votes. The electric cars changeover proposal, for example, is not something you put forward to win a popular- ity contest – if you were to put it to a vote in a referendum today it would lose by a big margin. But it's the aspiration for a better Malta, for a better country. It's a Government which would rather propose 10 big ideas and succeed in seven of them than not propose any- thing. The Nationalist Party seems to just find problems and does not have the sense to understand that it should be a government-in-waiting, pre- paring a plan for the country. I think the PN move towards the far-right is a panicky move, with the idea being to create some Salvini-type movement against immigrants. As a country, we can do better than this. As more wealth pours into Malta, our focus should be on sustainable growth, infrastructure and mitigating the downsides of it while being aggressive in safeguarding the environment. Yes, the envi- ronment is very important, especially in these times of growth. We must make sure that built-up areas are used efficiently, so that the take-up of the green environment is minimal. The proposal by this Govern- ment to create the largest open space is important. Regulation in the construction industry, and making sure those work- ing in this space are abiding by the rules, is equally important. We are striving for a better country. The wealth that the country is creating is our next big test. Will we build a better country with it and improve people's lives? The Labour Party is ready for this test, and it is telling you how it can be done – more open spaces, better jobs and salaries and sustainable growth. The PN on the other hand? It just wants to close doors. It does not un- derstand that beyond the party flags, there is another country and another society. And in a country where tribalism is only part of this landscape, what the PN is proposing is simply not good enough. Michael Briguglio Michael Briguglio is a sociologist and a PN candidate for the European Elections DURING this long European Parlia- ment campaign, I continued my work in favour of the environment and social justice, as I have done over the past twenty-five years. With regard to the environment, I wrote to the European Commission about the way in which the govern- ment is using our money to give land away cheaply to the powerful devel- opers DB in Pembroke. Now that the Corinthia case has also come to light, and, as I have always done, and not only during election periods, I will keep being active so that our land is not lost. Malta is not for sale. In the field of energy, I revealed how, despite all its pomp, the government denied Gozo access to European funds for clean energy, failing to apply for funds specifically meant for islands like Gozo. With regard to social justice, I wrote to the European Commission about the unfairly high utility bills. It was a game of hide and seek with the Commission and the Maltese authorities, however a few days ago the Ombudsman told me he is ready to investigate the utility bills presented to him. This is politics on the ground. Politics which is always near the people, and not only at election time. As regards human rights, I wrote to the European Commission about the technology the government wants to use in order to have access to our private details. A case of 'Big brother is watching you'. The Commission confirmed I was right and said that the government cannot just decide to deploy such technology without any consultation. It is for this reason that I am constantly asking the government to be transpar- ent about this. In the European Parliament I will in- crease such activism on behalf of Mal- tese and Gozitans of goodwill. Because I believe in a Europe that is near you, near small islands, and not a Europe of elites aloof from the people. Dear reader, maybe you are fed up of politicians who are bought. Maybe you are fed up of seeing Malta be sold for peanuts for the benefit of the few. Maybe you are fed up of seeing some who are drowning in money while oth- ers barely cope. Maybe you are fed up of seeing a kingdom of concrete which is destroying our environment and heritage. I am fed up of this too. As I have always done, and not only at election time, I will keep speaking in favour of workers, pensioners, youth, businessmen, the middle class, civil servants, educators and all persons of goodwill. I will keep speaking out for the envi- ronment and social justice. We will go on working together for our country. Therefore, if you feel forgotten, you deserve a voice. I promise you that your voice will be heard, always, and not only at election time. Always, not only at election time , This is why I cannot understand the reasoning of the Nationalist Party today. It still focuses on the tribal side of politics, and that alone. In the past two years have you ever heard of one proposal? You'd think a national vote would change that, but still, today, there are no new or fresh ideas