A pertinent question that Gozitans continue to ask—even after 13 years of Labour governments—is: what a breath of fresh air compared to the governance of the last Nationalist Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono?

Gozitans of all ages still remember those days, months and years when being anything other than a ‘Nazzjonalist’ or a ‘Nazzjonalista ta’ Giovanna’ meant you would get nowhere. Good riddance to those years, during which hundreds of Gozitans were abandoned and neglected simply because of their political beliefs.

We all know, and we will never forget, how Labour governments transformed the island of Gozo—from what many perceived as a feudal territory offering limited employment opportunities into one characterised by increased jobs and economic growth.

Whatever the Nationalist Party is proposing for Gozo will inevitably be viewed through the lens of its years in government under the Gonzi administration. It will therefore be difficult for Gozitans to be persuaded by promises that a future Nationalist government will adequately address the individual needs and challenges of thousands of people on the island.

The proposals put forward by Alex Borg may sound ambitious, but they raise serious concerns regarding feasibility. The proposals announced  appear overly ambitious, bundling together multiple large-scale projects—from transport to healthcare to governance reform—within what may be an unrealistic timeframe. More importantly, key details on funding, operational costs and environmental impacts remain unclear.

There is, therefore, only one realistic choice for Gozitans: continuity, participation in ongoing decision-making processes through multiple stakeholders in Gozo, and trust in a Labour government that has consistently placed Gozo at the centre of its priorities.