A bridge too far

100 days. Well, our survey says it all, so if you want a fair assessment, make sure you read it.  

I have no doubt that Joseph Muscat knows that the people who voted for him did so because they wanted to put aside an old, ageing government. And yes, they were willing to give the man a chance, but Muscat must seriously consider thinking twice before taking risks.

There is an unforgiving electorate out there that would not think twice about reconsidering their allegiance once again.

They were sick and tired of Gonzi, but now that he has gone they would not mind trying out someone else from their old party.

It really is that simple.

In the confusion, the things that impact the government's popularity may well turn out to be the most unlikely issues.

In fact, history has proven that environmental protest can lead to a far wider revolt: just look at what's happened in Turkey.

Before the 2008 election, a nationwide green campaign was in full force against the Gonzi administration as a result of the infamous George Pullicino ODZ (Outside Development Zones). 

They were captained by Green Warrior Astrid Vella, the woman who has since retreated from centre stage, with her enthusiasm to oppose anything of real substance having effectively subsided. The last time she took a stand, it was about the siting of the Monti in Valletta - hardly a matter of ecological importance and more concerned with aesthetics than anything else.

I cannot imagine that the display of underwear in a ditch or in a side street is a matter of grave national concern.

If the siting of il-Monti posed an aesthetic problem, I dread to think what kind of an eyesore a bridge over Comino would be.

The bridge is indeed massive compared to any other project. Even the Richard Cachia Caruana underground development at St John's Co-Cathedral is chicken feed when compared to this monstrosity.

Little do people realise that the 2008 campaign inspired many pale blue voters to simply oppose government policies.

It was only electorally reversed when PN deputy Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando saved the day for the PN with his tearful epic after the Mistra debacle. He was sorely used by Richard Cachia Caruana and Anton Attard and then unceremoniously dumped by them after he was discovered to be 'economical' with the truth.

The Nationalist Party - now headed by former MEP Simon Busuttil - needs something that will raise the public's blood pressure and something to test their political resolve.

It can make some noise about Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca's lucrative surgical operations, which add some useful pocket money to his otherwise pitiful salary.

But this is not the stuff of a nationwide campaign.

The bridge is the perfect fodder for a campaign that should captivate the imagination of many.

Gozo Minister Anton Refalo announced that he would be holding a referendum with Gozitans to decide whether they in fact desire a tunnel or a bridge.

Good one. Said tunnel or bridge to be paid for - needless to say - by the majority of Maltese (or, better still, its taxpayers). But the Maltese would not be allowed to vote in this particular referendum.

And what kind of referendum is this?

I'm afraid the idea of this referendum is flawed.

Why should any Gozitan say no to a tunnel or a bridge?

On Friday, we got to know that a Chinese company had wilfully approached the government to carry out a free impact assessment to determine whether a bridge is feasible or not. The feasibility study will cost over €4 million.

I really think I am going to choke.

Since when does a company approach a government - offering to pay the cost - and more importantly, have any bloody interest in building a bridge between Malta and Gozo, of all places?

Muscat said that he had given clear instructions that the bridge should avoid Comino. How is that even possible? Will it be swerving up to the f**king clouds?

But of course it won't be passing over Comino, because that would impact George Fenech and Joe Gasan's hotel. Imagine looking up into the blue sky as you lick your chocolate cornetto and there, to your complete and utter disbelief, you catch a glimpse of the cars and the trucks zooming by.

This idea is ludicrous.

The cost of such a bridge would be astronomical. Not to mention that it evokes memories of Renzo Piano's infamous 'roofless theatre'.

This is not a bridge too far. It is a bridge that will ignite opposition to Joseph Muscat for reasons that he will never have dreamed about.

It will also give a good reason - for all those who have not come together to campaign about something - to have something to oppose.

What a pity.

In the economies of scale, other nations, such as Italy, have constantly opposed the idea of a 'bridge too far'. The bridge connecting Sicily and Italy (which makes massive economic sense) has been shelved, even though everyone welcomed it - including the Mafia.

Here in Malta, we are talking of a bridge between two islands. One island holds 370,000 people, the other 30,000 at most. There is no reason to invest millions in an island which is best known for its pristine natural state and insular fatal attraction.

I have no doubt that the Chinese can build bridges, and I also know they could destroy the beauty which makes our islands so distinctive.

And not for one minute will my historic revulsion for the Gonzi administration cloud my judgement in opposing Joseph Muscat on a project which is fundamentally and intrinsically calamitous.

What is wrong is wrong.