Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/501315
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 APRIL 2015 Opinion 20 Back in the game T he substantial gains registered by the Nationalist Party at the local elections has changed the political context. For many, the Nationalist Party's chance of being re-elected again in three years' time seemed an almost impossible feat. The substantial difference in votes between the two major political parties registered at the last general and European Parliament elections led many to perceive the result of the upcoming general elections as a fait accompli. This is most certainly no longer the case. Simon Busuttil could not have placed it any better – Joseph Muscat is no longer invincible. Indeed, the Prime Minister seemed unassailable, crushing anything that came his way. Could this be the point of no return for Joseph Muscat? Time will tell, but one thing is certain. The gains made by the Nationalist Party in this past year under the leadership of Simon Busuttil may be due to varying issues. Joseph Muscat tried his best to use the local council elections as a national campaign between him and the Leader of the Opposition. It is for this reason that I will analyse the result from this perspective. The floater There is no doubt that the movement Malta Taghna Lkoll is over. A number of floaters, with no allegiance whatsoever to any party, do not care which party is elected to govern. On the contrary, they vote on current observations with considerations to what the parties are proposing. Any floater would agree that Malta Taghna Lkoll was indeed a good slogan – had it been implemented. However, soon after election day it was flushed down the drain, nowhere to be seen or heard. The fact that the shouts from Labour supporters to the sound of Malta Taghna Lkoll could not be heard any longer at the counting hall last weekend is testament to the demise of Malta Taghna Lkoll. If Malta Taghna Lkoll is dead, then so is the movement. Malta Taghna Lkoll is also dead because the Prime Minister did not keep to his promise of making public appointments based on credentials and ability. Instead, he resorted to appointing each and every backbencher to a chairmanship (with the exception of Marlene Farrugia). Thus, one assumes that the floater is less than impressed with a number of decisions taken by Joseph Muscat himself, most notably the scandalous handout to pay for Café Premier's private debts – from our pockets. The Nationalist The Nationalist Party is registering gains all throughout, with the exception of Gozo. A substantial number of these gains include traditional Nationalists who felt the need to vote for a Nationalist local council candidate again after having abstained or possibly voted Labour in the 2012 local elections and the 2013 general elections. In this regard, the Nationalist Party has managed to win back some of these traditional voters in its drive to approach lost voters who had been left to the winds by the party before the last general election. Previously disgruntled Nationalists might have decided to vote again in view of the substantial changes undertaken by the party in the past two years. The creation of sectoral policy fora has injected new blood and new ideas, which together with the new approach of being more sensitive towards our people's needs has attracted the once-lost traditional voters. The Labourite In a number of localities, a percentage swing of distinct proportionalities was observed from the Labour to the Nationalist Party. Furthermore, in other localities, like any other government, Labour had a haemorrhage of votes that did not necessarily translate into votes for the Nationalist party. This denotes Labour supporters who stayed at home in the hope of sending a message of disappointment to their government. The return of the Nationalist Party The Nationalist Party now finds itself in higher spirits for the first time since the 2013 general election. As a new Member of Parliament since the start of this legislature, there is a feeling out there that the Nationalist Party has registered, as of last Saturday, a new impetus of energy and support – one that is much-needed for it to be able to go forward. Much of the merit should go to the leader, Simon Busuttil, who had to (and still has to) endure an uphill struggle. Labour clearly underestimated the potential of Simon Busuttil. Joseph Muscat's strategy of ridiculing the Leader of the Opposition has backfired, with the former turning himself into a macho, rather than a gentleman. Simon Busuttil's approach might have not appealed to everyone, prima facie, but he has shown that he has what it takes to bring about the change necessary in his own party. Simon Busuttil is the underdog, only to be reinvigorated with much more strength and determination. Ryan Callus is Opposition spokesperson for the environment, planning, lands and infrastructure T he Argotti Gardens is not just another public garden. There is a strong educational potential in Argotti Botanical Gardens. It is a botanical garden which forms part of the Faculty of Science at the University of Malta. The University maintains the national herbarium and the living collection of predominantly Mediterranean type plants at these gardens. It is also involved in teaching and research activities within the Department of Biology, of which it forms part. The Argotti Gardens started off as two private gardens in the early 18th century. The association with the University of Malta goes back to 1805 and the whole botanical collection was officially transferred in 1855. During the last 15 years, the number of plant species within the University section at these gardens has increased considerably. It provides students with an opportunity to discover unusual plants and to learn biology outside the classroom. The Argotti Gardens also serves to promote a better understanding of plants and innovative plant science. Research projects focus on plant concentration, ecology and bioactive plants' extracts. Current research into plant- related studies will continue and we hope to set up a school for horticulture training. Additionally, the gardens serve as an open classroom for primary and secondary school children of various ages who are invited to attend guided tours and activities tailored to the students' age and educational level. Organised tours, especially for school children, will remain the hallmark of the Garden complex. Space is at a premium. There is now a new proposal, spearheaded by Dr Joseph Buhagiar, the Director of Argotti Botanical Gardens, to create a botanic garden complex that will utilise better the space available and integrate the inner and outer gardens, St. Phillip's Garden and the nearby Mall Gardens, Notre Dame Nursery, Sa Maison Garden and the Sa Maison Pinetum. As part of this project, we envisage that the existing train tunnel situated within St Phillip's garden will be rehabilitated to provide an easy means of joining St Phillip's garden with the Pinetum and Valletta. Eventually this will form part of a historical heritage trail that will incorporate all historical assets from the new Valletta entrance to the green belt of Floriana. This is an important project that will make the Argotti Botanical Gardens an important venue for local and foreign visitors. It is a project that can be phased over the next few years to be targeted for completion by 2018 – the year Valletta will be the European Capital of Culture. This new botanical complex will be modelled on the lines of Kew Gardens in London and will provide a multi-cultural experience on the outskirts of Valletta. The restored villa in the inner Argotti will function as a Visitors' Centre and will host two specialised museums – one for plant science and another for garden history. We also hope to create space to house a permanent exhibition on the history of the Maltese train "il-Vapur tal-Art", which travelled directly beneath Argotti Gardens. The garden will also house the restored greenhouses and will have an upgraded garden infrastructure. A walk-through butterfly house and aviary are also envisaged as major attractions. The Argotti Botanical complex will help sustain an edutainment and children's area through a set of science edutainment models that will be set up for children to learn more about the science of plants. They will be able to investigate and explore plant diversity for multiple uses and study the different adaptations of plants in everyday life, including their use of medicinal purposes. We are enthusiastic about this project. An open weekend at the Argotti Gardens, organised by Dr Joseph Buhagiar on behalf of the Department of Biology at the University of Malta, has helped create greater awareness. There are many benefits of garden-based learning among children and youths. Research has indicated that successful garden- based learning programmes demonstrate high levels of youth development and leadership. These environments can foster science literacy and social skills, while enhancing an awareness of the link between plants in the landscape and our daily life. We would like these gardens to be used by our students and schools as an exciting educational resource to learn science by doing it. Evarist Bartolo is Minister of Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo Plants can change the world Labour clearly underestimated the potential of Simon Busuttil. Joseph Muscat's strategy of ridiculing the Leader of the Opposition has backfired Ryan Callus The Argotti Botanical complex will help sustain an edutainment and children's area through a set of science edutainment models that will be set up for children to learn more about the science of plants Counting of votes cast in the local elections