PD’s local council candidates promise to put their locality before tribal politics

The Democratic Party is fielding six local council election candidates who promise to priorities quality of life and put their localities’ needs before partisan interests.

In a statement on Saturday, PD said that its local council vision was based on the pillars of community building, social responsibility and environmental stewardship. It underscored that it stood for the promotion of loyalty to the community and the nurturing of common good above bi-partisanship.

The party’s candidates are Timothy Alden, Ray Azzopardi, Mark Zerafa, Karen Vella Freeman, Charles Polidano and Manuel Farrugia.

PD deputy leader Timothy Alden, standing for election in Sliema, said that each and every locality had a unique cultural and social identity which should be protected and used as the basis of the community's success.

Local government must manage the well-being of the community by fostering a sense of ownership and civic sense, through active citizenship, Alden said, highlighting that the PD aims to be the bridge between Malta’s other political parties.

"When local councils came into being, there was at first a push against partisanship. However, now it can be hard to get things done due to tribalism. PD is to be the bridge between the other parties, composed of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We want to put our loyalty to the locality and our country first, before partisan interests,” he emphasised.

“We are a party where everyone can set aside differences and bring people together, to build a stronger community for everyone through people-centred leadership.”

Tarxien candidate Manuel Farrugia said that it was "essential that any local council will work with the residents as a team”. “Currently the Tarxien local council is divided,” he noted, “PD is there to communicate with all residents and to respectfully serve for their best interests.”

Charles Polidano, contesting in Qrendi said he would be working “at strengthening the Qrendi community by focussing on the values which unite us in order to plan together the Qrendi of tomorrow, whilst embellishing the common good of our village.”

On his part, Mark Zerafa, contesting in Birkirkara, promised he would “strive to promote and safeguard [Birkirkara’s] heritage and social sustainability”, while Karen Vella Freeman, standing for election in St Paul’s Bay, said the multi-cultural community faced several challenges, and that she would be striving to contribute towards a cleaner environment and better road infrastructure.

Ray Azzopardi, candidate for St Julian’s, said that if elected he would be ensuring that issued permits and licenses operated according to the conditions imposed on them, leading to less noise and air pollution, and a better quality of life.