Politics should
be the endeavour to build a better
society, a better environment, a better world. This requires action, policy making
and implementation, where people and communities are prime protagonists. During
the past 25 years I have always done my utmost to be active and constructive
for change, and I wish that these elections prove to be an opportunity to
continue this mission.
By now you
are probably tired of freebies, electoral gimmicks and slogans which do not
translate to concrete policy proposals. You may be asking if legislation on
electoral finance and data protection is actually being observed. You may wish
that the politicians asking for your vote are always active on the ground, or
wondering whether their activism simply depends on electoral appointments.
Ultimately, it is you, the voter, who will decide who to
vote for, and this is a right which no one can take away. My only suggestion,
if I may, is to look at what the respective candidates and parties are actually
offering you. To look at substance, not spin. To see who can best fight for
your interests without being in anyone’s pockets.
As a candidate representing the Nationalist Party, I am committed to its electoral
manifesto which was written and approved through the party’s democratic
structures and which has clear commitments on identity, solidarity and
wellbeing. It speaks about a society that cares and has concrete proposals on
decent wages, quality education, public healthcare, environment, quality of
life, migration, governance, human rights and democracy.
I have also published my own pledges and commitments based
on my experience as sociologist, local councillor and activist who believes in
policy making based on evidence, on-the-ground consultation, social justice and
environmental sustainability. My
flagship commitments include:
·
To remain free from behind-the-scenes donors.
·
To voice concerns of people of all ages -
children, youth & elderly - and all genders.
·
Better monitoring and action against precarious
work including through an EU online portal that registers jobs in all EU
countries to ensure they comply with national legislation.
·
Environmental Impact Assessments should take
account of cumulative impacts on localities.
·
Climate action must be mainstreamed in all
aspects of policy making.
·
Stepping up the monitoring of environmental
directives.
·
A shift to cleaner transport.
·
The EU must acknowledge the economic
vulnerabilities, risks and opportunities of small islands. I will work to
ensure that the realities of industry in small islands are accounted for.
·
Stronger workers’ and pensioners’ rights across
the bloc.
·
The declaration of a European Day for
Grandparents to enhance appreciation for their work.
You may read my 71 pledges and commitments through the
following link:
https://mikes-beat.blogspot.com/2019/05/pledges-and-proposals-for-mep-michael_5.html
During these 25
years I have been a key activist in various successful campaigns: EU
membership, defending agricultural land from unsustainable development, keeping
stipends in place, the introduction of divorce and LGBTIQ rights, stopping
various unsustainable development proposals and organizing the biggest civil
society demonstrations in recent Maltese history: the call to defend Żonqor
from development and the call for justice following Daphne Caruana Galizia’s
assassination.
If elected in the European Parliament I promise to keep this
activism alive and act as a bridge between the people and the European
institutions. The choice is yours.
