Yesterday, the Labour Party held its annual Freedom Day celebrations in Birgu. Today, an official ceremony will also be held in Birgu at the Freedom Day Monument with the President of Malta.
The Prime Minister and the Labour Party sent a very simple and clear message yesterday saying that Freedom Day represents Malta’s economic independence from the military and the base-economy. Today, this freedom is being brought by the consistent economic successes and economic growth of the country. The Prime Minister also said that the government’s subsidies on fuel and electricity are also ensuring to preserve this economic independence as it shields businesses and families from negative external effects.
The Labour Party’s message is very clear and very consistent on energy subsidies and is turning it into its core electoral political message. This is not something to be proud about as discussed multiple of times here, here, here and here. The comparison between the economic results of 1970 and those of today is, ironically, a testament to where today’s Labour Party is going wrong.
Today, Labour lacks the political and economic strategy that will consolidate Malta’s economic prowess. The welfare state is not end to itself: the welfare state is meant to address gaps and vulnerabilities in the system. Eco0nomic independence requires a multi-pronged strategy that aims at consistent and strong economic growth. Malta lacks this strategy. Labour’s Vision is 2050 is just an economic forecasting model that is being used as a pretense for Labour’s one-party state.
In the 1970s, the Labour Party’s welfare state came with a very rigorous economic programme that involved the construction of a robust manufacturing industry particularly from the German industry. Today, the welfare state is coming with the promise that more 4-star hotels will bring us more quality jobs as opposed to more low-paid jobs in the catering and tourism industry.
You can view the full discourse here.
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Historian and Publisher
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