“Any person has two hands. One is the right and the other is the left. Both hands are part of the same body but function in different directions although both belong to the same body.
This aspect can be taken as an example to the political situation in our Islands. Some people opt to go to the left whilst others go to the right. The body always remains one whole unit.
As the body in Malta continues to hold two hands only, no matter which hand is in control, the whole body benefits from the work and ability the hand side is capable of achieving.
Our Islands were given the political system by the Colonial Government as was bestowed to Ireland as well. Our two countries have the only same systems of a transferable vote.
Several acute minds have tried to find an alternative solution, but all failed in finding a fairer one as the present system enjoy a transferable vote which no other system enjoys.
I do remember during my time, that intellectual person/s trying and discussing/debating different options. All failed in convincing the majority of any new system. First Past the Post, as in Britain was not deemed as fair and just.
Also as it will be the Political Party that nominates the Candidate presented to the general public.
The real issue in our Islands is that we haven’t yet adopted a national financial system to finance political parties. This in my view is a must. Only in this way can we as citizens make certain that political parties are not submissive to financial influence by big financial institutions. This happens not only in Malta and Gozo but all over the world.
A recent case that everyone knows about and nothing was done about it was the Nationalist Party issue with a private company, which Party Leader said that he will refund the monies passed but after days retracted his words as there were no monies in the Party’s coffers to reimburse the finances.
Beliefs
Secondly the political parties opt to entice popular individuals from various districts not on their political beliefs and views, but solely on their popularity just to gather votes and have elected persons.
This in my view is the biggest mistake of all. From these sort of people there is no heart – no fundamental belief in one’s ideology. These are just there to fill the gap and maybe later on say that they were once Members of Parliament. Their contribution will be limited to zero in Parliament, so who needs people of this sort?
I totally agree with the political parties introducing training for prospective candidates. Being given lessons in Politics – how Parliament works – The Constitution, how it works – what will be expected from them if elected.
Nowadays very few Members of Parliament are not professionals. But what about beliefs, the hearts of convictions of the party they have opted to join?
Full-Timers
I, as a Former Parliamentarians Secretary, have for the past years insisted, wrote and suggested with Authorities that Parliamentarians should all be on a Full Time Basis, dedicated only to Parliamentary Works. Their remuneration should be adequate to cater for their needs and that of their families.
By and as an example, one should quote from what I perceived a very able Parliamentarian Mr David Stellini, renouncing his position in Parliament as he wasn’t able to financially cater for his family needs.
Full time Parliamentarians should also be provided with ample facilities by the State, staff and offices should be solely focused on the issues at hand and what is happening in the world, especially with the European Union Laws and By-Laws.
Very few at present are really knowledgeable about all the issues which are happening within the European Union.
By becoming full-timers, Members of Parliament, if professional persons, wouldn’t be able to practice their profession, which does give them a distinct advantage when representing a client in front of Boards or Courts.
An exception is for the professional medical fields where individuals can be allowed to practice for free and only in Governmental Institutions so as not to lose contact with their professions.
Parliamentary Buildings should also introduce family friendly measures with child nursery and care centres – catering facilities, plus sensible timings for holding Parliamentary sessions.
Former Parliamentarians Association
The Association of Former Parliamentarians hold regular meetings throughout the year. Also taking part in meetings at the European and Council of Europe level in international conferences in which our Association always takes an active part, as well as also being elected as their President for 2 years as indicated in the rules and regulations of this European Association.
Our Association has also held several Colloquies and Seminars in Malta and Gozo. Lastly we also welcomed a Canadian Delegation of Former Senators and Members of Parliament who visited our Islands.
So as Former Parliamentarians we do contribute to the general well being of our Islands.
We are in constant communication with the relevant authorities with suggestions of how our Parliament should be. Also of how we see and believe that Former Parliamentarian’s conditions can be.
But first and foremost how our democratic Islands should be catered for in the future.
Political Trivialities
We condemn the excessive trivialities as these harm our Islands. Certain individuals, who for their own aims, use their positions and office to harm our basics and beliefs in the foreign spectre, whilst maybe gaining a momentary advantage, are seriously undermining the integrity of our way of life and the Maltese Islands as a whole.
The soonest these individuals realise that considerable harm is being done Islands, then it will be better for one and all.
Armchair Critics
Many professionals are opting to air their personal views on various articles. Pity that these professional people, comfortable in their studios, seem to know more than the members of parliament of how they should do and act.
There I ask one simple question.
If these professional people are so intelligent of saying how and what actions should be taken in Parliament, how is it that they don’t, or haven’t ever been, interested themselves into going into politics?
It is very easy to criticise and forward suggestions, but totally different when in authority.
No one has till now submitted which Constitutional Laws has to be changed and how. So I do suggest to these armchair critics to list the laws and how these could and should be changed.
Hate Critics
Then we have the hate critics, the same few people who criticise everyone and everything on all subjects and articles.
If these are constructive criticism then all well and good, but sadly one notes that these are so unbalanced and rude – as a matter of fact also criminal in certain writings, that these submissions instead of creating followers, they actually cause more individuals to oppose their views.
So let’s please have criticism on a valid and professional basis, based on facts and with valid suggestions.
Lino DeBono,
Gozo