Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/630594
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 JANUARY 2016 22 Opinion A renowned diner in London, styled as Joe's Kitchen, defines its dishes as, "… designed for sharing with friends, getting your fingers dirty and your face sticky." Does this remind you of anything? Oh boy it does! The recent antics held in the modern kitchen which was perfectly fitted into a 2008 purchased apartment, synthesizes the true meaning of this legislature – a pompous government with very little achievements, self-glorification being the main goal and objective. Any head of government, including Gonzi and the ones that came before him, made it a point to enlist the achievements of the year which had just ended, and likewise outlined objectives for the new year to come. This has happened in Malta, in happens elsewhere! However Muscat and his OPM friends took it to the next level. Being creative is one thing, but engaging in a marketing exercise of this sort is farcical. If one were to analyse the message, the setup, the logistics to it, and so forth, we would immediately come to the conclusion that London's Joe is not too different to our own Joe. They both move superbly in their respective kitchens, certain dishes they construct (sic!) can get sticky and at times messy, they both like to entertain friends, but most importantly their select patrons are generally immensely satisfied with the level of service. No actors were used, the Premier claims. So true I say! So real the mise en scène was! Over the past 24 months or so, Chef Joe has made it a point to share his dishes with friends, some allege that indeed his fingers got dirty, sure enough his face has become fittingly sticky! The brutal beauty of concrete Last Sunday was the last day of the three-day convention organised by the Nationalist Party dealing with the environment. ENGOs are today complaining about the lack of priority being given to the environment by the incumbent government. Articles have been written, accusatory editorials have been splashed on most newspapers – indeed there is consensus that the environment has been relegated to the third tier. The Nationalist Party, while acknowledging its past mistakes, is today offering solutions to ensure better protection for the environment. Today there is consensus that the Nationalist Party and the eNGOs are the genuine guardians of our environment. A recent comment by Minister Carmelo Abela that the new concrete block installed in Hay Wharf (Floriana) beautifies the area sums up the environment credentials, or lack of them, of this government. Building a massive structure, which is obscuring the majestic fortifications bestowed to us by our ancestors, is madness for starters – however claiming that it beautifies the area is senseless! I objected to this project from the very moment I got to know about it. My objection served very little, however the council which I form part of was assured that aesthetically the government will do its best to limit the damage – this meant that the concrete structure would be cladded in some form. Alas this never materialised, and today the so defined beauty, is no better than a massive assembly covering one of Malta's treasures. Through this article I urge the government to reconsider its position, and do its best to safeguard our fortifications. Getting back to the Nationalist Party convention, the prediction is that this new alliance in favour of the environment will continue lobbying with the government to change its environmental policy. Whether the government will uphold such requests is difficult to predict, however unless it wishes to be known in time as the government with the worst track record in this pursuit, it needs to start acting now – after all this is what has been promised, this is what the people are expecting from the taghna lkoll movement. The need for good governance No one disputes that good governance is required in our tiny island. This has gone missing, and it is now time to restore some credibility within the political circles. Unfortunately, trust in political parties according to the latest European Barometer shifted downwards, so did trust in the national government, with a 3% downward shift. The Nationalist Party has recently launched a bonanza of proposals, some are very good indeed. This is a very good start. The proposals require more work and further discussions, however and hopefully it requires that someone puts them into place. Of course this Labour government is at liberty to make use of them – even more than that, we supplicate the government to introduce assurances that what is being done, is done in the best interests of the nation, and in so doing, respects the good governance principles. Good governance is not simply a dogma or a buzzword, it is a political philosophy, a way of doing the right things (as opposed to doing things right). This should be a new year's resolution – this should distinguish 2016 from 2015. Matt Paris is a local councillor and PN general election candidate Matthew Paris The curious case of Joe's kitchen The Nationalist Party, while acknowledging its past mistakes, is today offering solutions to ensure better protection for the environment. Today there is consensus that the Nationalist Party and the eNGOs are the genuine guardians of our environment