On the other hand, Buttigieg, attending his third environmental protest as a mayor, mainly focused on the issue that he has been personally fighting for the last 22 years – Gozo’s Ħondoq ir-Rummien. 

“We can’t stand seeing any more harmful decisions taken as a result of pressure from big contractors who are only motivated by money and business,” Buttigieg said.

“I promise that I will continue fighting against these obstacles and making my voice heard in favour of Gozo, Comino, Qala, and the Ħondoq ir-Rummien bay, until my last breath, like I’ve done for the last 22 years,” he pledged. 

He also referred to the protest that he attended last summer, calling for an end to the incessant pileup of deckchairs and umbrellas from the island of Comino. He even once again said that many want him gone from his position as mayor for all the work he does for the environment.

“Like I had mentioned in Comino when we had done that protest about the deckchairs, and that through that protest they are going to be reduced, I repeat once again that there are major forces trying to do whatever they can to remove me as mayor of Qala, not because I’m not doing my job, but because I’m a thorn in the side of those greedy ones that want to make a mess of Gozo.”

With Ħondoq aside, Buttigieg appealed that we need to wake up immediately and put a halt to the haphazard construction popping up all over Gozo. 

“We’re ruining this beautiful island. The politics of planning need to start working in the interest of the common good, or else, nothing will be left for us to enjoy.”

Meanwhile, Borg Manche made reference to the fact that he’s fighting this fight as a father who wants a better future for his own children. 

“Without a healthy environment surrounding us, our health, both physical and mental, will deteriorate and leave massive repercussions,” he said.

He also referred to two major cases he had to deal with as mayor of the locality; Manoel Island, and the infamous petrol station set to replace Gżira’s only green lung.

“Every citizen is questioning the direction this country seems to be heading into. They feel that there is no one willing to stand up for their country and that no one can challenge the Planning Authority and the Lands Authority.”

“Every day we see cases and permit approvals on social media and in newspapers, which happen without any consideration or reference to residents’ opposition. Like a joke, they continue to pass by all those who try to object to these irregularities, and priority is given to a few, not to the majority,” he continued.

“Where there is power, there is unity. Where there is unity, there is strength. Where there is fragmentation, there is manipulation, and from that manipulation, those who wish to maintain or seize power benefit.”

In a country that is solely run by partisan politics, having members of the government speak out against environmental degradation is essentially what will save these islands.

Do you think more members from Labour need to be speaking out against unbridled development?