Following the 2013 general elections, as a Nationalist Party supporter I could have opted for the convenient role of an armchair critic – moaning about the government’s performance, insisting that the Nationalist Party should get closer to the people and suggesting new ideas for a better Siggiewi – my locality. That would have been an easy task. Instead, I opted to lend a helping hand to my locality , and on the 11th of April I am contesting the Siggiewi local council elections for the first time.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is campaigning to retain the gap between his party and the PN, whilst Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil is doing his best to narrow it. Whoever reaches his target will claim victory. However, what the absolute majority of voters in these elections care about is having a competent, hard working and dynamic team of local councillors for their locality.
Local council elections are what they are – local. It would be a mistake to put these elections at par with general elections. People don’t get to choose a new government, but their local representatives for their town or village.
The choice at this election is not between Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil, but in choosing competent people as your local representative.
I am contesting the local council elections primarily because I believe that through my hard work, ideas, enthusiasm and positive energy I can help towards a better Siggiewi. For the past year, I dedicated most of my time to meeting people – irrespective of their political beliefs. It was a very rewarding experience. People expect, and rightly so, their politicians to be in tune with their needs and aspirations. On a local level people want a clean environment, law and order within their community and the right infrastructure. The Siggiewi Local Council, led by a Nationalist majority, has delivered and with the right mind set, goals and decisions things can only get better. Of course, challenges remain but these can be addressed most effectively if all on board the new local council work towards the common good of our locality.
Working towards the common good of our locality should be the main priority for each every local councillor. Unfortunately, we’ve heard of many instances where local councillors sought division rather than unity puting their party’s agenda first and foremost. The result is often an ineffective local council and a derelict locality. It is most unfair on residents when this happens and no wonder that people lose their trust in their local representatives and consider local councils as a waste of time. Local councils are not a waste of time- with the right people on board, local councils deliver positive results for the benefit of all.
If this Saturday the Siggiewi residents trust me with their vote, as a new local councillor my only priority would be a better Siggiewi. I encourage all other candidates, irrespective of their political beliefs, to make this their priority too.
Dr Alessia Psaila Zammit is contesting the Siggiewi Local Council election as a new candidate.
