Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1376560
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MAY 2021 OPINION THAT the Nationalist Party is in an acute mess is self-evident and crystal clear. What for me is not clear is why people from within the National- ist Party, including some people whom I highly respect for their in- telligence when it comes to their professional life out of politics, cannot see what is staring directly in their face. It could be that they are caught in the proverbial echo-chamber perpetuated by the so-called 'Si- mon Busuttil/Jason Azzopardi' clan. But how the Nationalist Par- ty is, time and time again, missing the wood for the proverbial trees is something which I honestly cannot understand. The first step to find the proper answers is to pose the best ques- tion. I will certainly not do that for the Nationalist Party, nor will I indulge in giving my honest as- sessment of what truly motivates the Busuttil- Azzopardi clan to act the way they act. Probably whatever I say will be interpreted wrongly anyway, or worse still, some will also go at length to say that it's all a part of a reverse psychology-induced plan to push forward one thing which in reality means another. So on this point, I will say nothing. What, however, concerns me as a Maltese citizen is the negative impact that the Nationalist Party is putting on our country as a di- rect result of their actions. Actions which are solely motivated by the supreme arrogance with which Busutti-Azzopardi look at the world outside the confines of their own clan and the false sense of comfort the echo-chamber gives them. Let me mention two examples. Firstly, the cruel bashing which Malta receives in the Europe- an Parliament every number of months, with the Busuttil-Az- zopardi clan gladly fanning the flames and jumping with im- mense pleasure and joy each time this happens. On this point, I will repeat what I have always said in the last months and years. There is no country which is perfect and I can say a lot of things about a lot of countries making up the EU family or the Europe- an continent as a whole. Yet, I still have to see another example of countries which are subject to the treatment which Malta is being afforded from time to time in the European Parliament. What's worse is that this treat- ment is spurred, triggered and pushed forward by the Nationalist Party's own elected representa- tives. The people out there have long realised the hypocrisy of it all. The Nationalist Members of the European Parliament are tough on their own country, but com- pletely weak when other countries are concerned. They do not only blink an eye at what other coun- tries do, but they quickly come out to defend them on the Euro- pean scene for reasons which they know very well. Now, if Bernard Grech fails to understand that all this irrespon- sible harming of our country is pushing people away from the Nationalist Party in droves, then I honesty do not know what to say. The second example. The Na- tionalist Party have taken the con- scious decision to make rule of law and good governance issues their main battlecry. In fact, this has been the only issue they have been pushing forward time and time again, with all their might. Their message on rule of law and good governance is very clear and direct: that under a Labour gov- ernment, the rule of law has been thrown to the dogs. They have not contented themselves with mak- ing those statements at home, but went as far as pushing this mes- sage forward with all their might everywhere around the world. While, as I have said before, I will not make any pronouncements on why this strategy is bound to fail from the word go, what inter- ests me most as a Maltese citizen is the harm, once again, which is being caused on the international scene to our country. While history teaches us that there are events and episodes in any administration under the sun which deserve scrutiny and legitimate criticism, it is a whole different matter to throw away the baby out with the bathwater. That is what the Nationalist Par- ty is doing time and time again to the disdain of the majority of the population. All you need to need to look is at the recent judgment of the Court of the European Union on the justice reform of 2016 as a clear example – it completely discard- ed Simon Busuttil's and Jason Azzopardi's arguments, and the Maltese government won the case hands down. Since then we heard absolutely nothing from those two PN exponents. Truth is that Labour govern- ments delivered much needed re- forms in all major fronts and those improvements and changes are still underway across the board at impressive speed and efficiency. It has been said that in politics, sunny days and rainy days can change very quickly. That is true, and we all have to keep that in mind, with the necessary humil- ity and a deep sense of service in order to pay back with good work the trust that the people have giv- en us. EVEN if it is taken for granted, the environment plays an impor- tant role in our life and has an impact on our standard of living. Countries around the world are becoming more conscious about the importance of protecting the environment. As time goes by, we are seeing a cultural shift in the way Maltese people view the environment. The word envi- ronment can be linked to several definitions. The environment is our natural home, it is the place where one can find open spaces to unwind and immerse in nature, it is an important resource for tour- ism – one of our major economic sectors, it is part of our heritage. Despite the alarming news in the environmental field, one finds that our progress in this ar- ea is slow and ultimately reactive. What seems to be missing is an understanding and consensus on existing technologies, planning approaches and practices that can be easily implemented to solve the environmental crisis. Our country has a great poten- tial to be among the best among the member states of Europe in terms of initiatives to protect the environment. Notwithstanding our small size, our archipelago boasts of a rich biodiversity, sev- eral protected areas as well as ex- tensive Marine Protected Areas. However, this all depends on the priorities and choices we make in shaping our policies. Youth must play a crucial role in shaping environmental policy. Last year, MZPN, together with the student unions and the Na- tional Youth Council, were cata- lysts for the government and the opposition to recognize the need for our country to do its part in the fight against climate change. Parliament eventually took on board our appeal to declare a cli- mate emergency. The crisis we all face together is a unique opportunity to encour- age young people to play a role in shaping our country's environ- mental policiesIn recent weeks, the Nationalist Party has em- barked on a consultation process that will result in an election mani- festo that will meet the aspirations of the people. This is an extremely positive process which will give Maltese and Gozitans the oppor- tunity to contribute their ideas for a better Malta. The environment will be at the heart of the ideas we want to offer to the electorate. We cannot ignore the current needs. We need to be more aware than ever that every infrastructure initiative and project must take into account environmental con- siderations. I urge all interested parties, from eNGOs to citizens to participate in this process and be part of this project which is bene- ficial for our country. The future requires the older and younger generations to work together to bring about the nec- essary change. There is a lot of interest among young people in this issue. The leaders of the coun- try who lead the country need to hear these voices of change. They should listen and embrace new and innovative ideas and rethink the way we preserve our country, because fulfilling the sustainable development goals also means pass on our country in a better shape to future generations. At this important time, there should be no discussion about the future of the younger gener- ations without giving them the opportunity to sit at the table of discussion, not least on environ- mental policies. This is not a topic that falls solely in the domain of ERA or some Minister who have repeatedly shown their unwilling- ness to stand up to be counted. Beyond the rhetoric of building new parks characterised by con- crete paths and planting of sap- lings which die after few months, the government must deliver in a concrete manner on safeguard- ing the environment. We cannot waste any more time and manage the environment through prop- aganda that brings no concrete change. In the light of the failure of policy makers, youths can help the country find its way in this ar- ea and work for Malta to have a better future. Addressing the needs of medicinal cannabis patients Malta's environment is in our hands Alex Agius Saliba is a Labour MEP (S&D) Gabriel Micallef is MZPN vice-president and a Mellieha local councillor gabriimic@gmail.com Alex Agius Saliba Gabriel Micallef