Simply charmless: a valedictory
Matthew Vella
After 10 years and a bit more as editor, Matthew Vella steps down and reflects on two decades of serving MaltaToday
‘Boys will be boys’ must be challenged
The idea that ‘boys will be boys’ has to be challenged at all levels; because as past experience so often illustrates, failure to do so is likely to end in tragedy
Making the best of a (very) bad deal

It remains, however, a case of making the best out of a (very) bad deal. As such, it is important not to repeat the mistakes of the past

It remains, however, a case of making the best out of a...

Gender quotas should be part of a holistic electoral reform

It is a pity, then, that yet another opportunity to kick-start this much-needed...

It is a pity, then, that yet another opportunity to...

Contempt of court, or gagging order?

One would surely have assumed that the justice system is, in fact, robust enough to avoid being unduly influenced by such observations

One would surely have assumed that the justice system is,...

There is no ‘vaccine’ for corruption

Over and above the immediate urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic, we also need to start talking about a return to some form of institutional normality...

Over and above the immediate urgency of the COVID-19...

COVID-19 also reminded us of what is truly important

The coronavirus pandemic is a reminder of how public goods and services must...

The coronavirus pandemic is a reminder of how public goods...

Easier to attack the press, than to confront the facts

This is truly a classic game strategy: where two sides find themselves under...

This is truly a classic game strategy: where two sides find...

Behind the affront

The optics do not look good for Labour when it has to resort to false, moralistic premises to sack people who are considered to be valid, internal critics

The optics do not look good for Labour when it has to...

The inquiry must reach its conclusions unhindered

Nonetheless, it would be counterproductive if that time limit is now used as a...

Nonetheless, it would be counterproductive if that time...

Christmas should not be an excuse to lower our guard

Given that Christmas is precisely a time when extended families converge for...

Given that Christmas is precisely a time when extended...

Grech must reach beyond the political divide

While Grech has clearly won over educated PN voters – who, under Delia,...

While Grech has clearly won over educated PN voters –...

Muscat’s day in court

Perhaps the most regrettable aspect of his performance was in fact, that Muscat continues to downplay the risks posed to democracy by the...

Perhaps the most regrettable aspect of his...

Insensitivity leads to impunity

This was, in fact, the whole point of GREVIO’s warning: there is no point in improving the structures, if the underlying mentality continues to view...

This was, in fact, the whole point of GREVIO’s...

Delivering heads on a stick

Much remains to be done, if we are to shed the image – so carelessly cultivated under the Muscat administration – that there was ‘one law for...

Much remains to be done, if we are to shed the image...

The price of ‘buying the peace’

Abela’s solution therefore comes at a hefty price: both literally - in the sense that a larger Cabinet also means higher expense - but also in terms of...

Abela’s solution therefore comes at a hefty price:...

It’s a prison, not a personal fiefdom

Though not immediately related to any of the previous prison fatalities – most of which took place on Alexander Dalli’s watch – the attitude...

Though not immediately related to any of the previous...

Political tribalism is no substitute for common courtesy

 A substantial chunk of the Maltese electorate no longer identifies with a...

 A substantial chunk of the Maltese electorate no...

New standards and old values

What’s good for the goose is rightly good for the gander. That saying goes for Labour too: will its own MPs and ministers come clean on the...

What’s good for the goose is rightly good for the...

Time to start taking Parliamentary ethics seriously

If nothing else, then, the Azzopardi case should at least serve as a...

If nothing else, then, the Azzopardi case should at least...