Consensus please

In February this year, I wrote a letter to The Times expressing my feeling of being sick, tired and frustrated with the political situation in our country.

I also stated the country cannot move forward in the current political climate, where our politicians, instead of combining their energies to solve the problems facing the country, are placing their efforts to oppose, contradict and accuse each other on every topic that crops up. It is not a matter of principle but of sheer pique - if you say white it has to be black, and if you say black, then it has to be white.

I also stated that the country needs to have a government of national unity, at least for a period of time.

Since then, many people have spoken about the need for political consensus.

People holding very important positions such as the governor of the Central Bank, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, the Archbishop, some unions and many others have joined in a chorus pleading with our politicians to put away partisan attitudes and to start thinking in terms of what is best for the country.

That chorus is also joined by a number of politicians from both parties, who, when in private, express the view they would like to see a government of national unity, at least for a period of time, until the country is standing firmly on solid ground.

There is an urgent need for some drastic actions to be taken, especially where discipline is concerned. With the present political system, no one will take these actions since political mileage will be put in top gear and this will result in loss of votes. With a political consensus situation, actions can be taken without fear or favour.

Expressing the sentiments of many people, I urge our political leaders to sit down and discuss how best to achieve the much desired political consensus for the benefit of everybody who is blessed to be living on the Maltese archipelago.