It's the economy that matters

The start to 2009 has been characterised by controversy on a variety of issues. The utility tariffs, the St John's Co-Cathedral museum extension project, the new site for Parliament and the funding of political parties are controversies that have hogged the headlines over the first weeks of this year. Quite a handful and plenty to keep us occupied.

But we all know what is top of the agenda of Mr and Mrs Citizen. Hardly St John's or the very questionable demand for more money for the political parties. Who at this particular time wants to give the political parties more taxpayers' money? Who really feels that his or her very own future depends on whether the St John's project goes ahead or not?

It's the economy that is preoccupying them. They want to know what is going to happen tomorrow. They want to know what our leaders are doing for them. They want to feel assured that in the face of all this uncertainty they will pull through.

Of course, the environment we are living in presents us with little or no certainties. But it is at this time that we need to collectively pull our socks up and seek to not only survive but also to develop new opportunities that the very same crises may be creating. Of course, it's very easy to be pessimistic and to feel that all is lost. It's, however, a fact that the various forecasts for both this year and next continue to show that the Maltese economy will continue to grow even if with anaemic growth figures. From this fact alone we should draw strength and seek to increase the potential for growth.

The need for leadership is never greater than in times like these. For quite some time we've been told that we will be regaled with a different kind of politics. Never has there been a greater need for this. The economy has to be the top priority. Of course, there are other vexing issues such as illegal immigration but it all depends on our economy getting through safely. If the economy crumbles, everything else will crumble as well. If the economy prospers everything else will be much more manageable.

At the moment, it's a case of just about so far so good and this is not happening by chance. It's the result of our past performance but also the result of hard work being put in by a number of people, not least the social partners and people in the Ministry of Finance. Only time will tell whether enough is being done but we need a collective focus. We need all political parties to focus on this top priority. Of course, the opposition must continue to fulfil its role just as the government must continue to fulfil its own. But now is the time for real leadership. The coming months are crucial. There will be plenty of time later for all the political tittle-tattle. Now it's the economy that has to be our main focus.

Mr and Mrs Citizen demand it.