"1. The prime
objection is not the
redevelopmet of the
site in a modern
manner which is
harmonious to the
surroundings, but
the use of the site
for a Parliament
when there is really
no need for a new
Parliament building.
Indeed it is ironic
that this would-be
'monument to
democracy' has been
decided upon in the
most autocratic
fashion possible
2. An opera house IS
unfeasible, but what
about a
multi-purpose hall
which could house
our National
Orchestra? They
currently rehearse
in what amounts to
nothing more than a
medium sized room in
a Valletta flat!
3. Valletta is NOT a
Renaissance city. By
1566, the
Renaissance was well
and truly over. It
is a Mannerist/Early
Baroque city. As for
Maltese input, get
your history right.
Laparelli designed
the city, Girolamo
Cassar carried it
out! All the
original auberges,
St Johns, and a good
number of other
palazzi were
designed by Cassar.
As for the mixture
of styles, yes you
are right. The Royal
Opera House was an
incongruity compared
to the rest of the
city, as are the
post-war housing
estates.
4. Opera is NOT
about powdered wigs,
just as theatre is
not about men in
tights reciting
Shakespeare.
5. Renzo Piano IS
one of the best
architects around,
but not the only
one. Why was the
call for a design
not made public and
open to all?
6. Freedom Square is
an artificial
creation that does
not conform with the
original plan of
Valletta. Should it
be removed and built
over? Depends on the
design really! Let's
be creative!
and finally...yes we
do have a lot of
emotional baggage
tied to that site,
whether for
nostalgic or
political reasons.
But that is no
reason to let a
supposedly
democratic
government decide ad
hoc on what to do
with it! And even
less reason to let
them build a nice
cosy little club for
politicians."
YOUR WORDS
Extracts - Gleanings - Contributions
On
this page we welcome articles, comments and contributions from
journalists, writers, media professionals, theatre and stage experts
and members of the public who all have one thing in common
... they disagree with Malta's Prime Minister over his idea
plan vision dream
bizarre scheme to place the Maltese parliamentary building on the Opera
House site at the entrance to Valletta.
We can publish your comments and thoughts on this issue here.
Write to: info@maltaoperahouse.com
We welcome correspondence from Maltese in Malta and abroad and
non-Maltese from anywhere in Malta, Europe and beyond.
Jason Fenech, Italy (by email) - 28 Jan 2009
To
be honest I am not that keen on opera but I do enjoy an evening
at the theatre. I do think that there are various alternatives
to relocate Parliament: where? Not that interested to be honest.
On second thoughts maybe I am: the further away it is from the
city centre the better! MCC? I'm sure that would be big enough
for some incredible bigheads!
I
do think that the present opera house site is a bit too small. I
have just witnessed the development and building of the new
Civic Theatre in Vicenza (a city in the north of Italy close to
Venice and Verona). If it should make us feel any better, they
too were without a real theatre (excluding the unique but bonsai
Teatro Olimpico) for many years (war bombing) and the present
building was at first considered quite controversial and hideous
(must be something with theatres!). A year or so down the line
and those complaints have turned into enthusiasm and excitement
to go and watch the most popular musicians, comedians, dancers
and actors. It has added some much needed life to this beautiful
but dreadfully quiet town which usually goes to bed at around 9
to wake up ready for another day at work.
Nowadays, on most days, you can still see people walking around
at 11! Who knows? In a couple of years Vicenza might turn into
a lively town where you can meet up with friends and enjoy a
walk or even a drink on any week day even after 9 o'clock!
I
see a great resemblance with the situation in Valletta. Such a
beautiful city, a great place to walk round and actually feel
the history as you walk along, its straight streets full of
beautiful buildings but too crowded by day and dead at night. To
be honest would never dream of walking through some streets late
at night!
Some beautiful lighting, a real clean up of the facades and... a
place that would attract people at night. The theatre in Vicenza
worked wonders. Could a decent theatre/opera house... do the
same for Valletta?
Now
Mr Gonzi states he fears that there are already too many
theatres in Valletta. Come on!Do we really have a decent centre
designed with theatre/opera in mind? One with all the modern
technology necessary and big enough to host international
events?
For me its so obvious that a theatre should be built on the site (of course I'm also very objective) that I simply can't understand why on earth anyone should want to build anything but a theatre on this site! It's in a perfect place: next to the bus terminus (no need for car parks as people can use the soon to be super efficient public transport), close to so many shops, cafes and restaurants.
But
maybe what would really bug me were they to build anything but a
theatre is the fact that for me and for most other Maltese that
specific area is for us it-tejatru! I still remember my
grandfather taking me for my first tour of the site one hot
summers day when I was hardly tall enough to climb up the
stairs. I remember him explaining how beautiful the theatre was
and what a pity it is to see it still had not been rebuilt. He
promised me that one day we would go there together.
Unfortunately this has not happened and no longer will. Many of
us have similar tales I'm sure.
Marisa Bugeja, Malta (emailed) - 09 Jan 2009
Roy Martin, Malta (emailed) - 21 Dec 2008
I really do not see the point of forking out 80,000Euro to Mr Piano when Barry's original designs are on file. It seems to me that the majority of Maltese residents and friends of Malta in other countries want the Opera House as it was - externally at least.
The siting of Parliament is total arrogance and insensitivity on the part of the already cosseted politicians. Keep the building for the performing Arts. Not only opera but ballet, orchestral concerts, musicals, drama, pop concerts, ball room dancing. Yes ball room dancing and events like award ceremonies, even Eurovision.
Take a leaf out of the book of the Royal Albert Hall. The interior arrangements are so versatile. The building is alive with excitement and enthusiasm . We could have them all here in Malta. Imagine a Grand Ball on New Years eve with horse driven carriages bringing the suitably dressed patrons through a new City Gate. The tourists would flock here in their thousands! Entertain them with Grand Opera and you have the formula for success.
Commercially the venture would be an assured success bringing thousands of Euro into the coffers. Parliament would not bring in a cent!
St Elmo for the Parliament. Opera House for- opera!
It is said that the back stage
facilities are not enough in Barry's design. What if the whole
area was flattened and the new building was turned so that it
faced the City Gate. It could then be built wider and longer. A
paved vehicular free wide pavement would surround it. A new
square built in front of the police station. Traders would get
their deliveries between 6am and 8a.m ( as in Tokyo) The ground
level could be given over to work shops, to dance schools, to
drama classes.. The opportunities for the arts are endless.
Valletta could truly become the European centre of Arts, Drama
and Music.
Alfred Aquilina, Malta, (emailed) - 19 Dec 2008
Let us have the
Opera House as it was and on the same site.
John M. Grima, Ontario, Canada (emailed) - 18 Dec 2008
I am in agreement with you 100%. I have made the very same comment to the Times of Malta a few months ago.
There was a time in Valletta, before Television, when there was no less than four theatres showing movies. I know. I was an usher in one of them, the Coliseum Theatre on Republic Street.
I am quite sure that Maltese opera singers/companies, and perhaps in the future ballet dancers, would love to have their own house in Malta.
After all, wasn't that the original plan?
Merry Christmas
Joe Busuttil, Malta (extract - emailed) - 18 Dec 2008
What does he know of opera etc....I tell him "Leave it to the experts" like our own Joseph Calleja who makes us proud the world over. Or at least get the opinion of the people. Don't humiliate the country more in the eyes of foreigners.
Malt/Aussie, Australia (emailed) - 18 Dec 2008
Hello from Australia,
As a Maltese born person, I take an interest in what is happening to
my homeland.
I, along with thousands of others, appeal to ANY government to
please think carefully about the future usage of this bomb site.
The idea of it becoming a Parliament is ludicrous and an insult.
Suggestions that part of it could become a library makes more sense.
Belt is-Sebh is not a suitable place for a Library. You could have a
Dance School, art classes, lace making clases etc. It should be a
site for the Arts and Culture.
This is a golden opportunity for the people of Malta to have a world
standard Centre for everyone to enjoy, close to transport and just
inside the main gates of Valletta, and also a place to show off to
the world, the work of many talented Maltese people.
Hope this is done in my lifetime, I would like to make use of it
too.
Charles E. Agius, Chairman, ASC&S International Ltd, Malta (emailed) - 18 Dec 2008
The opera house should be built to its original grandeur.
Why Not? Why should one person decide for 400,000 people? Let’s have a referendum. And please don’t make me laugh – don’t tell me it is uneconomical when so much money is being wasted – is this our national pride? Are we now contemplating the running costs? Might as well destroy Valletta City as it is in dire need of maintenance.
Ivan Sciberras, Malta (emailed) - 18 Dec 2008
I am not surprised at
all that once again Arts and Culture are put aside to make room for
the speculators. When where ever the arts given any importance in
Malta, apart from two to three artists linked directly to political
parties that have made a fortune selling and producing the same
s**t. This will be another reason for convincing me
that after three times voting for the PN, now it's time for them to
step down!
Ian Waugh:
I know feelings are running high on this issue. Your personal
comments are really welcomed here although this website has no view
or comment on the status of the Maltese political scene.
C. Jacono, Malta (emailed) - 16 Dec 2008
I am a humble citizen of Malta and I am proud we once had a jewel in our Capital City.
The site as it is makes part of our history and tourists show interest and try to acquire more information.
If it is built all past will be lost and replaced just by something that has no other value than of having been projected by R.Piano.
In my view….
· The Manoel Theatre is not suitable for Grand Operas by Great Composers.
· The Mediterranean Conference Centre is mainly for conference meetings.
· St. James Cavalier is just a laboratory for performing arts.
Even Gozo has its own theatre…….why Malta can’t have one of European stature that can attract the best of Malta’s and World famous opera Artists?
If the site is not rebuilt maybe it can serve as an open air museum where replicas of Monuments by great Maltese sculptors can be admired by all people.
It also gives us the chance to rebuild the opera house in it’s original splendour when Malta’s economy will someday be more positive and the project affordable.
Alex Simpson, Guildford, Surrey (by email) - 16 Dec 2008
Dear Ian,
Well done on this website. In my view this whole thing is a scandal.
I first started visiting Malta in the 1960’s with my late mother and father. As dreaded “tourists” we never partook in “fish ‘n’ chips” we did go to Theatre and my father always insisted in absorbing the culture in preference to the sun whilst taking time out to remember the many who died in the defence of Malta, the Mediterranean for the free world.
We used to wonder past the ruins of the Opera House and we always paused to gaze at this painful sight. I can still recall my father, year in year out, wondering when the theatre was going to be rebuilt.
The 1970’s came and went and by the 1980’s I was bringing my own children and family to Malta. Something’s never changed – we never partook in “fish ‘n’ chips”, we carried on going to Theatre and taking in the culture. Like my father I took my own children past the Opera House ruins which remained painfully and apparently ignored.
The 1990’s came and went. By now my parents were gone, my children grown up. The Opera House still not rebuilt as theatre. I was beginning to wonder why. I couldn’t understand why “they” (the elected power house) just still left it in ruins disrespecting theatre. Perhaps “they” simply had no respect for the creative arts.
Here we are. I am now retired. My children are married and I am a grandfather. In October my wife and I, my son and my grandchildren returned to Malta. We ate good Maltese food as usual, we ignored “fish ‘n’ chips”, took in the culture, stood exactly where my father stood more than 45 years ago to pause and remember. We strolled again past the ruins of the Opera House. We stood and stared as I tried to explain to my inquisitive grandchildren what this wreck was. My grandson asked me why it was in ruins and not a theatre. I told him (because I honestly don’t know the answer) that “they” are still thinking about it.
Through all these years we have always thought that one day a theatre or performing arts centre would replace the Opera House in Valletta. My grandchildren’s great-grandfather believed it, as have I and my now grown-up children.
I am sorry. I am so really sorry that after all these years of waiting, of questioning that a politician has ignored the wishes of his people. This bomb site is a long lasting reminder of the fight for democracy for which thousands died to preserve freedom. One man has decreed that the wishes of his people are ignored. The site of theatre is to wiped out completely to be replaced by a building for his fellow politicians.
I am appalled, my father and mother would have been disgusted, my children are bemused.
After all this, after standing as a ruined theatre, a bomb site. Malta suffered long dark days in the war – it will be a another dark day when the doors open again on this site, not as a theatre but as parliament.
I wish you well with your efforts.
Piano’s ‘allegro non troppo’ - Raphael Vassallo
(extracts)
Malta Today - 14 Dec 2008 (link)
"Former tourism minister Francis Zammit Dimech once quipped that if
we took any longer to rebuild the Royal Opera House – which has been
a gaping wound in the architectural fabric of Valletta ever since it
was bombed in World War II, and dismantled shortly afterwards – the
site itself would have to be scheduled for its archaeological value.
To date no one has actually recommended preserving what little
remains of the once imposing structure; but nonetheless, it seems
the site itself somehow continues to touch a nerve among the
population at large – including the vast majority who have no memory
at all of either the building itself, or the tradition for high
culture it once embodied.
It seems that Edward Barry’s celebrated Theatre Royal – criticised
when first built as out of synch with the city’s Baroque character –
has survived in spirit, if not in substance, to become a symbol of
all that Malta once cherished, but has since lost. From this
perspective – and at the risk of doing a well-worn cliché to death –
it seems we can truly talk of a “phantom of the Opera House”. It is
perhaps for this reason, too, that all talk of rebuilding the
theatre to a new design has to date been mired in controversy.
Facebook outrage
The intended use appears to have now taken over from design issues
as the bone of contention number one. Most vociferous of the critics
is theatre producer Adrian Buckle, of Unifaun Productions, whose
response to the proposal was to launch a Facebook crusade against
the Parliament relocation.
Entitled “No to House of Parliament instead of Opera House”, his
group attracted over 1,500 members in just two days.
As Buckle bluntly puts it: “Instead of investing in culture, this
government is giving culture a kick in the ass.” And from a cursory
glance at the comments on his site, it seems that Malta’s
tightly-knit theatre community generally agrees.
While stressing that the objection has nothing to do with Piano
himself (“He’s welcome to come here and design a theatre”, he
commented on the website), Adrian Buckle rubbishes the oft-raised
arguments that the local demand for drama is already well serviced
by existing Valletta theatres such as the Manoel, MITP and the
Mediterranean Conference Centre.
“If that is what they (politicians) think, they should be ashamed of
themselves,” he declares. “It is a shameful admission, which reveals
the extent of the authorities’ disregard for culture. Of course
Valletta needs more theatres, and the old Opera House site is ideal
for one. It is just across the road from St James, and could be an
extension of the existing creativity centre...”
Inviting a comparison with London, Buckle adds that Valletta has the
potential to become another West End.
“There aren’t theatres all over London, and not all over the UK
either,” he remarks. “They are concentrated in specific districts.
Besides, I think the government is unaware of the business and
commercial potential that cultural activities and initiatives have
to offer. It should take a look at what’s happening all over Europe,
and see that whenever governments invest in culture, they also
create jobs and revenue...”
But as things stand, this project will not contribute anything to
the people at large, but only for the parliamentarians themselves.
“Instead of the public enjoying something for themselves, it will
only be some 65 MPs who will benefit from this project,” Buckle
ruefully adds. “It goes to show where the country’s real priorities
are...”
A similar sentiment is echoed by former Din l-Art Helwa activist
Miriam Cremona, herself a Valletta stalwart. Not exactly the type to
pull punches, Mrs Cremona describes the dismantling of all culture
nodes, to make way for commerce and political structures, as a case
of “cultural genocide”.
“To suggest that Valletta is saturated with theatres is sheer
nonsense,” she says emphatically. “We might not need an Opera House
of the type we had before the war, and I would understand if it was
combined with some other cultural use, but to claim that a new
theatre is unnecessary is nothing less than an insult.”
Pointing out that we have just elevated our National Orchestra to
Philharmonic level, Mrs Cremona argues that by ditching the Opera
House for a new Parliament, Malta’s politicians are only betraying
the “high esteem in which they hold themselves.”
“There are 101 other places Parliament can be moved to,” she adds.
“Like for example Fort St Elmo, which is crying out for renovation
anyway.”
However, while Miriam Cremona fought valiantly to have the original
Barry design rebuilt in the 1980s, she now concedes that the time
may have come to move on.
“I don’t have the memories my mother had of the Theatre Royal,
although I played in the ruins as a child and have an affinity with
the space. As for City Gate, I certainly wasn’t around when the
original was built (in the 16th century); but I remember the
British-built gate which was eventually demolished in the 1960s, and
even if it was different from the original, it was certainly
complementary to the surroundings.”
Today, Miriam Cremona is willing to scale back her previous
insistence on a faithful historic reconstruction.
“I can understand that times have changed,” she says. “I feel the
new building should be a modern structure that blends in with the
unique environment of Valletta.”
Adrian Buckle
Founder and Artistic Director, Unifaun Theatre Company in Malta (link).
Adrian also created 'No to House of Parliament instead of Opera
House (Malta)' on Facebook and has inspired many Maltese and
non-Maltese to speak out about this issue (link).
Since going live on the 1st December 2008 this Group has attracted
over 2,000 members and has proved to be a strong voice in the fight
to stop Dr. Gonzi.
06 Dec
"Since one of the arguments in favour of developing this site as a Parliament seems to be that it will attract tourists, I would actually appeal to our foreign friends to make themselves heard on the Times of Malta or the Malta Independent or Malta Today, which are the three leading newspapers in English in Malta. I think that letter to the editor would be extremely effective. On the other hand, we Maltese citizens must start some constructive action".
Links (see also our "links" page here):
05 December
"One of the strongest arguments in
favour of replacing the Opera House with a house for Parliament is that Theatre
does not offer enough revenue and that theatres run at a loss. Now, please help
me shoot down this argument. I need data. I need to know
a) how much revenue does Parliament turn over?
b) What are the financial profits made by the House of Parliament?
c) What is the cost of running Parliament?
Apart from this, I have read in some blogs in the Times that people like me who
are involved in the Arts and have come out against this project are "so-called
artists." What can I say? If being an artist means dancing to the tune of a
given politician, then I will never be an artist and I am proud of it. If that
were the case, there are even more artists on this land then we thought there
were. We definitely need a new cultural site."
02 Dec 2008
"Theatre (I prefer to speak about
theatre as that is what I understand best) needs different venues. Different
productions work in different areas. St James Cavalier has so much theatre
activity going on that it has to refuse many applications. Mediterranean
Conference Centre, GWU, Catholic Institute only do mainstream theatre. St James
is the only place that hosts cutting edge theatre. And this kind of theatre is a
growing industry in Malta.
Sadly, it just does not work in spaces like the above mentioned. Take a look at
what goes on at MCC. Only musicals. Manoel Theatre? GWU? Catholic Institute?
Only commercial stuff. Need more proof? Look at the pathetic programme Manoel
Theatre have.
We need another space, like St James. We could have Renzo Piano design a modern
theatre we so much need. It would help our tourism industry, our culture
industry and it would probably create jobs.
What better way to prepare Valletta
for being the cultural capital of Europe than to invest in culture to create
industry and jobs?
The fact is that decisions regarding culture are being taken by people who,
culture-wise are as useful as a punctured condom, by people whose cultural
knowledge is rock bottom, by people who are as culturally competent as an ass.
What the powers that be are considering here is a gimmick to win the next
election. They are only planning for the next four years (election time),
whereas we need a much more long term plan. Ask yourself this: What can a
middle-aged tourist visiting Malta do after 18:00 except go to a restaurant or
go for a walk? Theatre and culture would provide an option. A parliament won't.
Also, there is an even higher concentration of theatres in London's West End,
but I never heard of a proposal to pull any of them down. Because the British
have realised that the economy can thrive on cultural activities.
I am in no way against Renzo Piano
designing. But I believe he can easily design a new theatre for us instead of
Parliament.
Yes those of us involved in the Arts know how badly it is needed. It does not
need to host Opera exclusively. There is a variety of performances it can host:
Theatre, Opera, Dance, Musicals.
Just because some productions run at a loss doesn't mean we don't need a new
theatre. First of all, when these losses are incurred, they are incurred by
individuals who, like me, produce theatre. It never costs the state a penny
especially since the Council for Arts doesn't give a shag about theatre. Second,
I believe that there are more successful productions than unsuccessful ones. If
all our productions were unsuccessful, we producers would be driven penniless.
Third, there are unsuccessful productions in London every year. But I never
heard of farces like these happening there".
also ...
"About ticket demand when two shows
run simultaneously, you are wrong. I myself have been involved in such
situations. And many times, both theatres have sold out. It mostly depends on
the play. If a play is not good (yes, we get those too) it is inevitable that it
will not sell. This keeps the standards high. Same people always go to theatre?
False again. I have grown to realise that there are different audiences for
different plays. I believe in fact that my plays have created a new audience.
About the cultural use proposed by Dr Gonzi, it is the suggestion of an ignorant
philistine. People like me have no use for such ridiculous suggestions. He would
do himself more service by seeing some theatre from time to time. That way he
might avoid going up to one of our most prominent actors and tell him he had
thought he was a foreigner because of his marvellous accent".
Astrid Vella (extracts from 'No to House of Parliament instead of Opera House (Malta)' on Facebook) - 10 December 2008 (link)
"I feel there are
several fundamental issues, for a start the fact that in this day
and age major decisions like this have to be subjected to public
consultation - we are no longer a fiefdom. To present a fait
accompli like this is the height of arrogance.
Renzo Piano has already expressed the wish to treat the whole area,
and not just the Opera House and City Gate. I suggest we should go
one further and turn this into a fantastic opportunity to finally
draw up a 'management plan' for all of Valletta, including the
promised restoration of St. Elmo with EU money, and finally a proper
traffic management plan.
Finally we must be positive and pro-active in proposing
alternatives. Since the Palace is being proposed as a mega-museum,
that to a certain extent wipes out the idea to have St. Elmo housing
different museums. So that frees up St. Elmo.
With all the rooms
available in the barracks of Lower St. Elmo, which could provide
offices for all the parliamentary staff, this could prove a valid
alternative, especially if the Med Conference Centre is incorporated
as a real conference centre and not pseudo-concert hall.
It is now up to us: we Maltese need to make our voice heard while
the foreigners need to write regular letters to newspapers
emphasising the fact that an opera house will attract tourists which
a house of parliament definitely will not.
The theatre may not pay its way on Opera, but a multi-functional structure will have more chance of breaking even, & God forbid we take every decision on the grounds of profitability. Theatres all over the world are give Govt grants, culture is what sets us apart. Prominent people have to be roped in to support the cause. Joseph Calleja has not minced his words, we have many huge talents, they need to be asked to come forward."
Eric Soames - Commenting in The Times of Malta - 9th December 2008 (link)
Joseph V. Grech - Commenting on the Editorial in The Times of Malta - 9th December 2008 (link)
"I agree we need to
carry out the City Gate Project and rebuild the site of the Opera
House. The present shambles is a national disgrace that should have
made successive administrations blush with shame. The project will
serve to prop up the construction industry at a time when
construction is not exactly in demand. People's minds will be
alienated from other pressing issues. If the Cabinet / P.M. has
chosen Renzo Piano to do the plans that is acceptable too - provided
these Plans are beautiful, practical and respects the rich
architecture that presently exists in the area.
But as for using the bombed out theatre site to house the
parliamentary sittings - that's a sacrilege I for one will never
agree with. People are saying that that decision was hurried and
short-sighted...and it robs citizens of far more interesting uses
for this site. I seldom go to the theatre but I realize that
Valletta must have its theatre back. Now...before it becomes
impossible to do so and Valletta ends up becoming ''the only
European capital without a real theatre of its own''. Hopefully the
P.M. has the sense - and the grace - to correct the mistake."
Josanna Cassar, Features Editor, The Malta Independent - 7 December 2008
It's All About Timing
So, let me get this straight.
"All over the world, governments and corporations are falling all over themselves to encourage people to spend in order to prevent the economy from going into further recession.
In the UK, even the unpopular Gordon Brown got it right this time round, with his reduction of VAT to entice Christmas shoppers to dig deep into their wallets. Meanwhile, high street shops have already slashed prices to bring in the customers.
With the economies of Germany, Italy and Ireland and Spain also in the doldrums, the European Central Bank continues to cut interest rates in the hope of spurring growth.
And here…what do we do? With people scared to spend too much because they are being assaulted by new taxes every time they turn on the evening news, the Gonzi administration decides this would be a spiffing time to announce an 80 million Euro project to resurrect the Renzo Piano project. Yes, because that’s what the country really needs right now, a new City Gate and a new building to house Parliament on the site of the old opera ruins. Talk about bad timing.
When people stop spending because they are not sure about their finances, that’s when a country is in trouble. But when a government can’t seem to stop spending frivolously, then we’re the ones in trouble.
When money for the household budget is tight, the first things sensible people economise on are the “extras”. Governments, which are playing around with our money, should not be any different.
Some might argue that the city gate/Parliament project is a much-needed investment to beautify our capital city, but many people are not seeing it in these terms. Who can blame them?
Why, just a few minutes ago we were being told that the country is in deeper debt than was previously thought, and that we have to make good for Enemalta’s inefficiencies with increased water & electricity rates. Heqq, sorry (we were told) there is not enough money, after all, to give you the income tax cuts we promised you during the election campaign. By the way, while we’re at it, we know you won’t mind being charged for sewage will you (because instead of a tax, we’re calling it a tariff, which has a much nicer ring to it, don’t you think?).
And, oops, we got it wrong, the sun will not shine brighter because you voted for a PN government and you are all going to just have to make sacrifices and roll up your sleeves because this is an “international economic crisis” (and definitely, absolutely not our fault). So, we think this is a perfect opportunity to make pensioners with impeccably kept older cars pay more for their car license.
Let us say there are still enough wide-eyed, gullible people out there who swallow this line of reasoning hook, line and sinker. Perhaps they need to believe that the government they voted for is doing the right thing, because otherwise they cannot rationalise their choice. But from the widespread public reactions I’m hearing (and reading online), more and more people are simply shaking their head in disbelief. Even though they cast their vote for the PN, they cannot keep justifying the bizarre decisions which are coming out of Castille.
I’m sure if someone did a poll asking, “what should the government spend 80 million Euros on?” ordinary people could come up with quite a list of urgent infrastructural requirements to make Malta a better place to live in. At the top of my list are the abysmal roads – I’m visiting my neighbourhood tyre repair guy so often, he’s starting to get the wrong idea.
There is such a thing as priorities, you know, and somehow I don’t think City Gate is one of them." .../