For the glory of the party

In the wake of the Egrant Inquiry, and the Nationalist Civil War, more questions remain unanswered than ever before and more questions continue to be asked. At the same time, one wonders, what tomorrow will bring in the wake of Labour’s growing power?

If one thing is certain, however, it is that the government has managed to weave a very particular narrative from the inquiry – a propaganda tale that bears little resemblance to reality. As usual, actions should speak louder than words.

The government would have us believe that all corruption scandals must be conspiracies, while at the same time it tries to prevent an independent inquiry into the Panama Papers. If there is nothing to hide, why try to use the Law Courts to block an investigation?

Similarly, there seems to be little talk of finding out who Egrant really belongs to. If it belongs to Brian Tonna, what purpose has it served? If not, for who was it ultimately intended? I am not saying I think it belongs to the Prime Minister or his wife – I am saying it belongs to somebody. Whoever is the ultimate beneficiary probably does not want us to know.

Adrian Delia’s reaction to the inquiry has legitimised the government narrative that the Labour Party is a corruption virgin. Delia has discredited his own Party. It is certain that the Labour Party will gain more ground on the back of this narrative. Indeed, it is now going on the offensive at home and abroad. Is it time for a purge? Government trolls were out in force calling for heads to roll.

Let us assume for a moment that the Labour Party is now victorious enough to exit its siege mentality. Now it may go on the offensive. The Labour Party’s siege mentality has allowed it to keep cohesive in the wake of errors of judgement which would have toppled foreign governments. Labour voters have always been able to blame every evil on the Opposition. The feeling of an external threat has united them so much that they celebrated the election victory outside Pilatus Bank.

Yet, what now? Beyond the adrenaline and self-congratulation of a tribal victory, what awaits us? Without a traditional Enemy to unite it, could the Labour Party eventually realise that the Emperor has no clothes? Along with overdevelopment, overcrowding, soaring living expenses, slime in our sea and a rapid deterioration in our quality of life, I simply ask – what can we actually look forward to?

The government’s narrative may be stronger than ever, but I ask both Nationalist and Labour supporters – what are your respective Parties actually promising you and future generations? We are not getting a country that one would want to call home unless one is rich enough to buy one’s way out of the consequences. The people raping Malta can afford to buy walled mansions and take their families on regular trips abroad using taxpayer’s money.

So, while we keep on asking questions – be sure to ask, what your Party is actually promising for you and for Malta – not now – but tomorrow? I do not see much to look forward to. The government narrative is also that the best is yet to come, but what should that look like? And are they actually delivering? Where are we going?

With his historic support, the Prime Minister should be taking crucial if unpopular decisions. He can afford to lose some votes. Sadly, what it all boils down to, if one is either Labour or Nationalist, is the glory of the Party, before neighbour and before country. Good people dance along, led by a desire for better days, not realising that to protect our past we have to stop empowering the people selling it and stealing our future.