The PN's current situation: my opinion.

It is important that we bring things into perspective, and stop the hysterics, if we are to be taken seriously. It is clear that things were done with haste, and the election for leader of the P.N. has not been organized that well, because of an uncalled for urgency. This has caused some problems that have been milked by some, as to give a false impression that there is a plot headed by Daphne Caruana Galizia in the Dar Centrali. This kind of opportunistic electioneering must be condemned unequivocally, as it is causing damage to the party we love, and has led to a barrage of attacks by our adversaries. I was watching a program of ONE TV when the whole thing unfolded the day before yesterday, which was presented by Karl Stagno Navarra. The whole aim of the program was to ridicule the PN. They phoned one of our councilors, Dr. Joseph Ellis, and didn't allow him to speak, after which we had Stagno Navarra aggressively rebuking and ridiculing him. I do not think that this was fair towards a man who we all consider as an exemplary and honest gentleman. This is unacceptable, and to be honest, we are bringing all this onto us ourselves, which is a pity. There was Dr. Simon Mercieca calling the decision of the Administrative Council, Stalinist, Dr. Robert Musumeci stating that this was the same kind of situation that made him and Stagno Navarra leave the PN to join the PL, while Dr. Miriam Dalli (the PL MEP) and Dr. Daniel Micallef (the president of the PL) were having a field day stating that they were so sorry for the PN activists, who have been betrayed by their own undemocratic party headed by Dr. Simon Busuttil. Dr. Musumeci also suggested that the PL, which he still defines as a movement, should fill in the void left by a crumbling PN. The attack was mainly on Dr. Simon Busuttil, which says a lot about the true motive behind the whole program. The intention was to discredit Dr. Simon Busuttil and Ms. Daphne Caruana Galizia for their own gain.

It is clear that the PL are trying to divert the attention off the true issue that is still plaguing them up to this very day i.e. corruption. They know too well that by making Ms. Caruana Galizia look bad they are able to make her claims look unconvincing, and this could well absolve them from her accusations on Mr. Konrad Mizzi, Mr. Keith Schembri, and the Prime Minister. We have fallen for that trap, with some of us going as far as to question her claims before the general election, those which we had fought for, and which we should still be believing in i.e. honest politics. We are fighting against each other, and in the mean time we are heading towards the imminent risk that the government is left to run the show without an opposition to fight corruption. May I remind the reader of this blog that the same Muscat government is there to continue its rampage on our countries assets, and that it was Ms. Caruana Galizia who unmasked a lot of what had happened. We owe this to her.

In saying this, it would be wrong to state or consider Ms. Caruana Galizia as infallible, or as an oracle of unquestionable truth. And, for this reason I believe that the PN needs to be cautious before accepting anything she says. We need to verify facts before committing ourselves to a position. We need to become self-sufficient by having the right information from which to take our decisions. Yet, it is equally wrong to treat her as an enemy of the PN or the country (this is what the PL want), as she has contributed so much to the fight against institutional corruption. She has made claims against one of the candidates for PN leader, and it is only right that these claims are investigated, and that we give him the right to defend himself against these allegations which are serious. This is what the ethics board, entrusted with conducting this investigation are going to do. For this reason, it would be wrong for anyone to see this as a sort of campaign against the candidate by this faceless clique. This is precisely how things are done seriously, and it was the right decision by the Administrative Council to make. Now, Dr. Adrian Delia will have the opportunity to prove that he is up to the job and innocent. It is up to him to rise up to the occasion and proof that he does not have anything to hide.          

Winning is not the only thing that matters

In summer, temperatures are most certainly high. Amid the village festas, attended to by droves of eager people, the marketing strategies of politicians are at full swing. Photos are taken, and politicians smile with members of a festive crowd,  together with their bottles or cans of beer. Politicians know that it is important to be seen, that they make people feel that they are one of them. And, maybe then, or possibly only then they will be voted for by some who are only interested in being part of an "us" against "them" dichotomy, a mentality that has been marring our political culture for decades. This is what brings politicians to act is this way, and I do not blame them for doing so, especially when considering the parochial culture that we are living in. Even well meaning politicians, who are many, need to entice this parochial mentality, if they are to make any headway in their political careers. Political parties are no different to football clubs for this tribal element in Maltese society. Politics is discussed over beers in kazini by rowdy and intoxicated macho men, whose idea of what is good for them and their country is somewhat limited to how certain political decisions have effected them in their daily lives, without them even considering the whole picture, such as, for example, the common good which is so important to sound politics. To add to this, their more generic political approach will be about how bad immigration is for our country, with all the racist bigotry that goes with drunken behaviour, but as they say "vino veritas", intoxication does tell some of the truths about things in this country. Maltese politic's future is being discussed in this scenario, a fertile ground for the worst kind of populist politics. And, this is because a distinction is not being made between a bit of summer entertainment like the local festa or good of football match, which I've got nothing against and even enjoy, and politics that should go beyond the kazin bickering and the drunken men. Winning at all costs is what really matters for a crowd that loves to celebrate their superiority to that of the kazin on the other side of the road. But, this should not apply to politics. Winning is not the only thing that matters in politics, as politics is what effects  people's lives beyond the pique coming out of populism. Moreover, the most incompatible aspect that one may find in the festa to that of politics is that for the former it is not enough only to win, but also to enjoy your adversary's disappointment. With this mentality, it is useless winning if there is no other side with their heads hanging downwards in exacerbation or shame. On the other hand, politics it is about bringing people together for the good of society and the country, not punishing your adversary. Yet it is the mentality of pique that people want, and it is this that politicians have to face and cater for when campaigning amid the stench of beer and whiskey in the "marc ta' filghodu". Politicians need to cater for a tribal mentality, without becoming the kind of populist who does more harm than good to national politics. However, there is a very thin line between being close to the people and being an outright populist.

As amid this festiveness, the fireworks, and the excesses that go with them, lurking in the crowds are those who deem power attractive, and who are willing to do what is needed to gain it when the opportunity arises. Many times, this is because that is what boosts their already inflated ego. These are many times outsiders to political parties, and the political game, but might be presidents of the local kazin. They come out of the woodwork of a tribal mentality, and say things that the tribesman or  tribeswoman want to here, or find attractive. Promises that victory is certain if they are made the tribal chief is rife, conveyed to the festive crowd in a rhetoric that is as colorful and as load as the fireworks and brass bands so typical of a festive climate. That is what these kind of people are good at and the crowds want it. The crowd promotes the president of their football club to become Leader of the Opposition, even without the necessary political experience to go with it. However, experience in politics is what really and truly matters, not running a football club, which is a different sort of enterprise altogether. Populism promotes these kinds of pseudo-politicians who go with the flow, project themselves as one of them or us, as accessible blokes with a can of beer and a load demeanor, with no substance to go with it.  This is empowering for some i.e. that is what makes the non-discerning crowd feel empowered. The crowd believes that having "one-of-us" will  mean that their voices are heard, that problems are solved, and that they will all live happily ever after, and also possibly have a bite at the cherry when the opportunity arises. Yet this is far from what really happens in this kind of situation. People will be disappointed. I am sure about it.

Unfortunately, this kind of populism does not work, and leaves people with far less than what they expect or hope for. A politician is no Father Christmas, who dishes out gifts for all those who have been good disciples. There is more to politics than a football or band club. Moreover, it is not only about winning in politics, as politics is also about guaranteeing that people live their lives freely, without the need of a demigod who looks as modest as one may get, albeit his grandeur is there for all of us to see. There is a big difference between local tradition which is fine, and a politics that has become more sophisticated and demanding than ever before, especially since we've joined the EU. We need a clear-headed leadership in the PN that goes beyond songs that sing the praises of the "l-avukat ta' klassi" who will rid the party of the "klikkek" in Dar Centrali, klikkek that by the way are anything but true. We need a leader who was there when we were fighting corruption during the past 4 years, against a government deemed as the most corrupt our country has ever had. The PN does not need a leader who has decided that he wants to become the Leader of the Opposition just two months ago, without the necessary experience. Here, we are considering the future of our party as well as the democracy of our county, not whether one kazin in better than the other. We need experience. We need Chris Said to be our leader.
                   

All we need is moderate politics not populism

They say that good fun is necessary in anything as serious as politics. It might be said that a song might be a bit of fun, whilst communicating a message, one which resonates with people's aspirations. So, when there was the E.U. referendum we had a song that conveyed the message that joining the EU is a good thing. During every general election, every political party has a song with a message that what they are offering is the best for our country. Yet, in most cases these songs are about a party and its policies, not about an individual being some kind of demigod or savour. The last  time we had this sort of thing was in the 1980 s, when a choir of North Korean women sung Dom Mintoff's praises. I really do hope that this kind of cult making does not happen again in our country. We do not need to create cult figures. All we need is moderate and rational politics that is free of populism.

New faces and the PN party leadership

We all express opinions on how to improve things. Yet, opinions must be expressed in good faith, with the intention of improving things. It is wrong for anyone to abuse of a transitory period in the P.N. to avenge old grudges. Nor is a public attack on the outgoing leadership right, if or when it is intended for favouring one candidate over another for party leader, or even worse as an opportunity for personal gain in having a particular candidate as leader. Let us all hope that all those who are participating in this democratic process for the party leadership are doing so for the good of the P.N. and our country, not as a strategy for winning power for themselves. Power is a means to an end, and this end should always be the good of our country and party.

After a defeat in the polls, it is easy for one to say that whoever was in the party during the past four years is a liability, and must go. I am seeing this from those who are supporting a particular candidate for party leader. It is even easier to promote the idea that the outgoing leadership is authoritarian, and that those who are part of this authoritarian setup must go. The argument is that it will only take a new face to rid the party of the tyrants who have been running the Dar Centali for the past four years and before. The truth, however, is that the true motive of replacing those who are already there is nothing other than the personal ambition of some who smell power, and who are acting upon those with ideological disagreements that could easily be mitigated by the right leader. Whilst the so-called liberals and conservatives (what's in a name?) continue to fight, these new-faces will find ways of gaining power by telling both sides what they want to hear, by saying things to one side as against the other, and by encouraging one side to attack the other to their advantage. Those who are fighting for their ideology to be homogeneous and unquestioned in the party are digging their own grave, when attacking the outgoing leadership, the reason is that these so-called new faces are failing to appreciate the hours spent by those who have volunteered to spend hours in the Dar Centrali without being paid, those "conservatives" and "liberals" who have brought the party forward in the last 4 years. Those who are acting on past grudges and who are fighting for an ideological homogeneous party are not realizing that their attacks are weakening the party and their own position even further. We need to support a candidate who could bring the two sides together.

Most of these "new faces" who say that they want to see many people out were nowhere to be seen during the past four years. Does a clean sweep entail getting rid of those who have tirelessly worked to fight for and promote clean politics, including those who are ideologically at odds with the outgoing leadership, but who are men and women who believe in honest politics and human dignity? Moreover, I do not believe that the comments of some are fair towards those who have managed to improve the finances of the P.N., those who have opened the party to people with different needs and aspirations. During the past  4 years, the outgoing leadership has transformed the P.N. into a people's party that is in line with the way that society is moving. Yet, there are some who feel that their position should be given precedence over that of others, and that not giving them this kind of ideological authority is authoritarian. What I tell these people is that their point of view should be considered together with other positions, and that homogeneous political parties are a thing of the past. We need to respect one another's opinion and work together for the good of our country.

With this in mind, I believe that the P.N. need a leader who does not play upon disagreement, but who manages to bring different positions together, and transform them into a direction for the party. In my view the right person for doing this is Dr. Chris Said.                

Dr. Frank Portelli, and his position on minorities

The P.N. has always stood for people's rights and dignity, whoever they may be. Compassion and social justice have always been part of the ethos of the P.N., and with it a good dose of tolerance towards people of different views, coming from different backgrounds and cultures. It is for this reason that I cannot fathom the fact that nothing is being said by the party to stop or disassociate itself from Dr. Frank Portelli's spewing of venom at the minorities of our country. Dr. Portelli happens to be a candidate for the leadership of the P.N., and for this reason must fall within the acceptable boundaries of what is acceptable for the party, a party that has cherished and stands for tolerance and inclusion in our society. Islamophobic rhetoric has never been accepted by the P.N., and should never be. So, why should we accept this kind of language from a candidate who hopes to lead our party? Why isn't anything being said or done to stop Dr. Portelli from saying things that our party is politically and morally against? Isn't there a red line that makes certain kinds of positions unacceptable for our party? Could anyone say what he or she pleases in any kind of contest to occupy a position in the P.N.? I believe that there should be a red line on this. Language that attacks the dignity of fellow humans should not be accepted by anyone who hopes to occupy a position in our party, and Dr. Portelli is no different.

There might be some disagreement between the more conservative and more liberal elements of our party. The reason for this is that our intentions are good, we debate, even sometimes vehemently, because we believe in our values, and put fellow humans at the center of what we say. We all believe in one important aspect in politics, which is defending what we consider as human dignity. We might have disagreements with regards to what human dignity entails. Yet, none of us will say anything bad about the immigrants of our country, use Islamophobic language, or even treat people of different sexual orientations as some kind of abnormal object. The P.N. was the party that opened our country to the rest of the world, by introducing the internet, liberalizing the media, and campaigned and negotiated tirelessly for our country to join the E.U. So, how are we now accepting a kind of language that goes against what our party really and truly stands for, by allowing one of our own to spew hatred against minorities? 

It is right to point out that the kind of politics that Dr. Portelli stands for is similar to that condemned by E.U. institutions (not by the far right) in Victor Orban of Hungary, who has many times  gone against the political group that he and we also belong to i.e. the E.P.P.    

        

My Choice for Party Leader

We all have got our beliefs on who is the right person to fit the bill as our new leader, and I am sure that we all consider the P.N.'s future success when making our choices on who to vote for. I will refrain from stating who my preference is, but will highlight what I believe the direction of the P.N. should be like. May I also state that it is important that the choice of the councilors and members (tesserati) is respected by all, and that all those who want to be in the P.N. fold should accept the prevailing decision in a free and fair vote. 

Everybody likes to win. It is the same with the P.N. activists. The general election result was a blow for all those who had worked hard during the four years. It has also been a blow for all those who believe that honesty should be the way forward for Maltese politics. However, it is important at this point not to divorce our eagerness to win with the purpose of the P.N. as it has been led by Dr. Simon Busuttil. During the past four years our party has fought a battle against the most corrupt government that our country has ever seen. Yet, our economy is doing well, and the majority in this country are pretty comfortable with the situation as it stands today. There have been promotions in the army, and jobs were given out for votes. Those who have gained from these promotions in the army would not care about the fact that a friend of the prime minister skipped grades to become the commander of the AFM. People consider their immediate needs, while disregarding the fact that corruption will bring the country to a situation in which the present standards of living will not be sustainable. All this will implode because of corruption, but alas people do not realize this. For this reason, it is important that the leader that the P.N. will be choosing, will continue to fight corruption, and that he sets an example by being accountable to the country and his party, while making sure that the message is being communicated to the electorate. Honesty should be the foundation of the P.N.'s new leader, as it was with Dr. Busuttil. By stating that we should not divorce our eagerness to win with our mission as a party that militates for honesty in politics, I mean that our eagerness to win should be, because we believe that if we win we will bring honest politics to our country, and eliminate the kind of institutionalized corruption that we have today. We want to win for a purpose, unlike a football team that bases its successes on how many trophies it gets. 

I do not believe in a revolution in the structures of the P.N. Revolutions have always led to dispute or tragedy, while evolution is what brings progress to an institution, party, or country. A revolution is based on conflict, while evolution is brought through dialogue and the goodwill of those of different opinions within an institution, with the aim of bringing sustainable progress. I believe that there are many things that might have to change to make the P.N. electable. These kinds of changes should be made intelligently by consolidating what is good, and removing what one may see as not that good. Revolutions oust people to replace them with others. Evolution is about the inclusion of all, without having to oust others who might not agree entirely with a position. I will be supporting a candidate who will help the party evolve, not one who wants to cause earthquakes within the party. 

I do trust that all those who will be voting for a new leader will not allow an eagerness to win to disregard the raisons d'être of the PN i.e. honest and progressive politics for our country.   

     

Should we Legalize Cannabis?

Most people are arguing that whether cannabis should be legalized or not should depend on whether the drug is harmful to one's health or not. My take on this issue will go beyond health, and more on how the legalization of cannabis would leave our country in general. Will more liberties on drug consumption make us better, or would this be detrimental to us as a country? In principle, I believe that it is wrong to be moralist on the issue, as moralism is what many times brings us into the dichotomy of what is "right" as opposed to what is "wrong". I will not go down that road, as this issue is more about the common good than about whether consuming cannabis is morally "right" or "wrong". What is "right" or "wrong" on these sort of issues, those that effect individuals, is more about the perspective on how one wants to live his or her life than anything else. If cannabis is harmful, self harm should not be anybody's business, and no government should interfere on these sort of matters. Yet, it becomes the government's business when medical expenses come in, and the taxpayer is expected to foot the bill for other people's decisions. This also applies to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and junk food. The question is: should we pay for the medical expenses of someone who has brought trouble onto him/herself? Cannabis might have some medicinal benefits, but might also cause physical or mental health problems if used excessively. Cannabis, like alcohol, has also got some short term effects, namely anxiety and paranoia to problems with attention, which makes it dangerous for users to operate machinery or drive. On the other hand, when one makes an illicit drug legal, it is possible that it no longer remains in the realm of criminal gangs, which is a good thing. People start to pay taxes when consuming cannabis, and there might be more controls over where people consume the drug.

In principle, I am in favour of the legalization of cannabis, as long as things are not rushed into parliament as they were on number of occasions. The government shouldn't take these issues as a way of winning points over the opposition, as they did on gay marriage. On such issues, like all others that effect our society as a whole, we need a mature discussion on how to get the law right, as to guarantee that law and order is kept for the good of all individuals. The legalization of mind altering substances, with possible health repercussions, should be implemented with also those who do not want to consume the drug in mind, who are expected to live side-by-side with those who do. On the health issue, my point of view has always been that any product that harms human health should be taxed according to the medical expenses that these might bring to the taxpayers of our country. Thus, a study on the health risks must be made for this reason. This must include not only hash, but also junk food, tobacco and alcohol. People must pay for their decisions, and it is only right that they do so with their medical expenses. Taxation is good, because it allows people liberties, without putting a financial burden on the rest of society. It is important that the consumption of the drug is restricted to certain places, places that are secure for the users and all those present. This also applies to the consumption of alcoholic drinks (laws exist, but aren't enforced, we should start by enforcing the laws on alcohol consumption). Issues regarding paranoia and anxiety should be catered for in public places where cannabis is being consumed, to ensure the safety of all present, as should be done with alcohol and any mind altering  substance. However, law enforcement on alcohol is very weak, which augurs badly for when or if cannabis is legalized. This is my greatest worry

Another issue that might crop up, and which worries me a great deal, is whether we should transform our country into a partying paradise for foreign young people, and a hell for all the local residents. Some areas in Malta, namely Sliema, St. Julians, and Bugibba, have already become places where partying is rife in ways that are a nuisance to local residents. Legalizing the plant shouldn't be used as a marketing strategy for bringing more young party goers to our country, with the noise, vomit, and bad behaviour that to go with it.