The self comes first

Now that this year's local council elections have left the results we are now all aware of, I am trying to understand the logic behind the reasoning of the electorate last Saturday. Was it because of government measures and strategies? Could it have been the gas shortage? Was it the effect of eco tax on the consumer? Or was it simply that people here do not seem to appreciate the needs of one nation or those of any locality above their personal interests?

I have come to the conclusion that the answer must lie in the last thesis. Unfortunalty, we are a nation of individuals rather than citizens, that is to say, we are more egocentrically inclined as a nation rather than considering what I called Our Collective Consideration (March 10). We are not really concerned with what happens beyond our front doors, as far as we are concerned, as long as no one ruffles our feathers indoors - we are as quiet as church mice!

Without sounding too generalist, I am referring to those persons who made up the 32 per cent of the electorate who failed to let their voice be heard, although I am also not too sure whether there was a strong element within the 68 per cent who fell within the bracket of individualism rather than collective consideration!

Malta and Gozo need to go through some intense and immediate changes in culture, economy and infrastructure if we are to stay afloat in the sea of competition and global developments. Our prime industry is tourism and this is an activity which depends, in the large part, on successful strategies implemented by local councils - we need people in these institutions who are experienced and proactive, we certainly do not need those people who are considering local councils as an extension of their village band club or sports club!

I sometimes despair when I keep seeing electoral results such as the ones of last Saturday. I despair when I have to drive through our countryside and still witness illegal dumping sites. I despair when I see that all we do is recycle ideas and projects that are "borrowed" or, rather, "hijacked" from abroad. I even despair when I see how we place our own personal interests above those of our nation and homeland and I fear that there may yet come a time when the only words of encouragement for this desperate situation may be: "I told you so!"