The number of abstentions during the last general election may have buried in it a good number of protest voters. But there may also be a few thousands who do not give a damn about politics. The political malaise is endemic and it is ingrained in family occasions, social activities and alas, in a most conventional manner on the University campus.
But amongst us there are those who prefer to spend their time at some cultural event at the Manoel, the MCC or why not, at the Catholic Institute.
This is pure cultural activity. We need much more than that to qualify as a culturally advanced society.
Our long voyage should start with some shock therapy, first and foremost in the political field. Our brand new government has commenced its long way on the wrong foot. The first decision was to take Malta in the Partnership For Peace (PfP) unilaterally and in the most unwanted fashion. We do not have much information of what PfP stands for, let alone to decide in favour or against being a full member of a military organisation. Why has the government hurried so much? We were promised more than 300 pledges before the election but I do not recall a promise to drag us in the PfP. There was not even a proposal for discussion. While the former Foreign Minister said that he is foursquare behind the decision he did not take it himself when he was in the reigns of power.
As an outsider (like I am), Dr Frendo is suggesting an amendment to the Constitution to ‘rationalise’ the section of our Constitution dealing with the concept of neutrality. On his part, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Dr Charles Mangion criticised government’s move to adhere Malta to the PfP as an arrogant piece of party politics. He said that the MLP was ready to discuss anything provided it is in the national best interests. However, the way the new Cabinet has behaved does not augur a healthy dialogue for the months to come. Let us hope that things would change for the better and we experience a new cultural way of doing things... among them politics.
The PN’s winning of the general election by a whisker may or may not serve as an eye opener to the government that democratic principles are at stake. During the last few days, some newspapers have been reporting that lucrative retainers are changing hands but within the Nationalists’ domain. It is too early to gauge how the new government will decipher the political message sent by the electorate. To a considerable extent it depends on the outcome of the leadership election within the MLP.
The election result will determine what course the MLP will be treading on in the coming months and years. If it elects a valid and intelligent leader the MLP would opt for a new culture of doing politics. It does not have another option. It has to regenerate itself in a new style. That can only be achieved by introducing young and intelligent participants in all its structures which also need to be overhauled to reflect new sociological realities.
At the same time the MLP has to remain a strong Opposition to defend the interests of those who are the subjects of power. Down the line there are those who live on meagre earnings, on social security and on the generosity of the health system. These people do not have problems to choose the location for their next trip abroad, they only thank God if they manage to pay their basic expenses. They vote too and their vote is as important as that of the affluent lot.
Government and Opposition need to strike a correct balance between the interests of those at the top of the social ladder and those at the other end. The gap is widening to the frustration of many.
The cultural revolution that needs to take place in the coming years should transform our way of thinking. The government has to take the lead in convincing us to abandon mediocrity for professionalism. In areas where we have excelled we have abundance. The financial services sector proves that professionalism pays dividends.
Maltese society is at a very important juncture. The wafer-thin majority that the government has should serve it a positive purpose: to abandon arrogance; to be an inclusive government. On its part, the MLP has an opportunity to start afresh, transforming the party to a modern, young and forward looking organisation believing in itself and in its future as a prospective government.
The PfP decision could have been debated in Parliament and government could have taken the Opposition on board through dialogue and conviction that the decision was in the national interest. In the days to come we might discover the real motive behind the political move and whether government would regale us with a new way of doing politics. Daydreamers are also part of our society and they too have a vote! Who knows, their vote might be decisive the next time round.