Q&A | ‘PN put Malta back on the map’ | Ingrid Brownrigg

What is your background?

I am a European Commission official; however for the time being and for the years to come I have suspended my career in Brussels in order to give my service to politics in Malta.

I worked at the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. I worked within the Communications Unit and I was responsible for the press - journalists (not only the Brussels based ones) writing on agriculture, food, rural tourism and environment. In my daily work, I used to assist the spokesperson for Agriculture at the Commission Midday briefing and together with my small press team I used to coordinate the communications with journalists from all over Europe. We have created an online platform to reach out to journalists from all over Europe.

This platform acts as a one-stop shop, a tool of communication and sharing information among the journalists and we used to feed the journalists on this platform with quotes from the Commissioner and chat sessions with the Spokesperson.

My background is communications, however after working at the DG AGRI, I have developed a passion for agriculture and the combination of both was the best one for me.

How did you get involved in politics?

Being born and raised in a family that was active in politics in Zejtun during the 80s, certainly left an impact on my personality. Since a young age, I attended mass meetings and other political events and therefore I was exposed to politics. I saw my family being beaten up, just because they had a different political opinion and I was lucky enough that time, at the age of seven, to run away from that horrible scene which remains unforgettable in my mind. Nevertheless that was my childhood and politics for me meant fear! However growing up I started realizing that politics is actually a tool and like any tool, it can be used good or bad.

 Therefore I started to involve myself in the Nationalist Party at the age of 16. I put up a committee for young people at the Zejtun PN section and started to be active at the Moviment Zghazagh Partit Nazzjonalista.

The European Union was an issue at that time and I wanted to see my country member in this union, firstly for economic reasons. Secondly I wanted to be treated and have the same opportunities as other young Europeans. Therefore my involvement in politics, from the local perspective I shifted to a more global one. I worked in the Moviment Iva and worked within the party to communicate the message on the EU. I was a candidate for the Local Council in Zejtun in 2002 and I was successfully elected.

Why PN?

I saw the PN change Malta, firstly by bringing freedom of speech and freedom of press in Malta. I saw this beautiful country in the past years getting the reputation it deserves on the international level, hence this has attracted foreign investments and tourism, which as a result we saw a prosperous country, jobs being created, more money to spend and therefore a better quality of life. The PN in government means opportunities as well, opportunities for education that are increasing every year and opportunities of career which has been enhanced by our accession in the EU. Therefore PN means: freedom of speech, prosperity and opportunities. What else could I ask for?

What will you bring to the table?

My energy, determination and will to work for the great people that makes up this country. This tiny country of ours is small in size and lacks resources but it has its biggest resource, its hard-working people. My experience of working in Brussels at the EU institutions means that I have obtained a working experience on European level.

In my work at the European Commission, I had the opportunity to travel and to meet several realities. This was a learning experience for me because it has inspired me and gave me several ideas which could be used in Malta an example of this is a proposal is the PN electoral programme, proposal number 18.x, that focuses on Rural Tourism, a proposal that I personally contributed during the building process of the electoral programme.

What is holding back more women from contesting the general elections? What do you suggest should be done to attract more female candidates?

Very good question! I think that in Malta we are still living in a male-dominated society. There has been progress but the mentality, generally speaking, is still a male-dominated society. There is still lack of women in key posts in both the private and public sector, including the Maltese Parliament. I believe that it takes generations to change a mentality and slowly it is changing.

Therefore the PN, aware of this situation, is proposing a number of measures in the electoral programme intended to encourage the women to pursue a career and to re-introduce themselves in the working environment. The proposal for childcare centres for full-timers, part-timers and even children of parents who are furthering their studies is a very good incentive. However we need to create a climate in Malta where the responsibility of kids and household chores is not of the sole responsibility of the mother but the parents should strike a balance and contribute equally in the household.

The PL has accused government of abandoning agriculture and fisheries, especially since it forms part of such a wide portfolio. Do you agree that an Agriculture and Fisheries minister should be appointed in the next legislature?

I don't agree with the above statement. Thanks to our accession in the EU, both the agriculture and fisheries sectors were pushed and helped to invest in their business. Certainly they have to abide by the new rules, however the EU helps our farmers and fishermen to modernize their tools and equipment, while guaranteeing the customers, ourselves, a good quality product.

Since we became members of the EU and by the end of the current year, our farmers would have received 100 million Euros. These funds were used to modernise their farms and innovation. As a result, our Maltese produce quality has improved. The same goes to our fishermen who enjoyed in funds which help them to invest on their vessels.

The PN in its electoral programme is committed to continue to invest in these sectors. A very good proposal is that both farmers and fishermen will be recognized as an enterprise, which practically means they could benefit more from funds both from national schemes and from the EU.

The PN is pushing for a rural tourism, this means diversification not only of the agricultural sector but even the tourist sector. Besides this, this could be an incentive for the children of our farmers to stay in business.

When it comes to our fisheries, the PN is committed to help our fishermen to diversify and involve themselves in aquaculture. Another very good proposal is the introduction of a scheme helping financially the self-employed fishermen during the low-season. The above are only highlights of what the PN did in this sector and what the PN intends to do. Certainly, this reflects the PN commitment in this sector.

However, I do believe that Agriculture and Fisheries should have a Ministry on its own. These are very vulnerable sectors of our society. They very much depend on climatic conditions and with the change of climate, these sectors are being affected.

Beyond the EU funds, how has Malta benefitted from its accession to the European Union? Is Malta as European as the member states?

Malta is back on the map!  We are considered equal to all European citizens. People are learning more about our country, its history and its culture, therefore more and more tourists, in particular Europeans visit our islands and learn more about our country. As a matter of fact we are having a record on tourists visiting our country year after year.

Besides this, the low-income tax rates in Malta is attracting foreign investors to invest in Malta, for example in the gaming and financial services. Such investments are creating jobs for the Maltese and there is an increasing demand of people working in this sector.

Besides the economic perspective of our accession, let's not forget the fact that we are in the decision-making process in all the EU institutions so just like all the other Member States, we are working for the interest of the Maltese community, bring up the circumstances which sometimes are only existing here in Malta, due to the fact that Malta is a small country and an island.

Having worked in two EU institutions (Council of the EU and the European Commission) I am proud to say that Malta and its people are very much respected and other Member States look up on us, even though being so small but they see us as the EU successful story, especially now in times of crisis in Europe and Malta is still creating jobs!