Zerafa Civelli was taking part in a debate about a legal notice that allows certain Valletta establishment owners to keep the music on until 1am, up from 11pm.

The Opposition requested the revocation of the motion but the government refused, although no PL MPs who represent the first district actually took part in the debate.

During her speech, Zerafa Civelli spoke about Valletta’s transformation from a town devoid of nightlife to the thriving social hub it is today and said the town’s residents used to be ashamed of their roots.

“Valletta belongs to the people of Valletta,” she said before addressing Valletta residents directly while recounting her own experience growing up in Bormla.

“Like you, I suffered the ugliness of stigma and used to dream of living in a town I could boast about,” she said.

“Like you, I’m proud to come from a town that is finally being taken care of and flourishing. Valletta has become the envy of all and, in this hectic world, the people of Valletta are so lucky that they can take a walk in their streets after work and enjoy an amazing atmosphere.”

However, many people, including residents of the capital city, pounced on Zerafa Civelli’s comment about residents’ past attitudes to their hometown. 

“I have always been proud to say I come from Valletta and I will remain on the forefront when it comes to representing all Valletta residents as well as possible,” the town’s minority leader Christian Micallef said. “The interests of Valletta come before partisan politics.”

PN MP Darren Carabott also called Zerafa Civelli out, claiming that MPs who are truly proud of Valletta will vote in favour of the PN’s motion calling for the revocation of the music legal notice.

Residenti Beltin, a new political group that intends to contest the next local council elections, said they are so proud of their hometown that they want an elderly care home to be set up there so that elderly Valletta residents could spend the last years of their life in the capital city.

Prominent Valletta DJ Matthew Mulholland also weighed in, saying Zerafa Civelli should be ashamed of her remarks.

However, Zerafa Civelli also found defenders, such as Valletta vice mayor Ray Azzopardi and Bormla vice mayor Noyah Spiteri Hammett, who urged people to listen to the MP’s speech in full.

“I am seeing people judging and insulting [Zerafa Civelli] but have you followed her entire speech?” Spiteri Hammett asked.

“I am speaking out because Alison, like myself, comes from Bormla and knows about the unfair stigma and discrimination we passed through under a PN administration. Follow her entire speech and then comment. Get your facts right.”

What do you make of Alison Zerafa Civelli’s speech?