Deadlocked politics in Malta

Where most people would throw up their hands and say this is an uphill task, I have declared my candidacy to run as an independent candidate in the June European parliament elections.

I have done so because many people, youths, minority groups, people who feel forgotten, ordinary people I meet and talk to on the streets and at football grounds have encouraged me to come out and speak for them. For more than six months I have had several meetings with my core group which includes experienced men and women, young people, university students, old party helpers, emigrants and foreigners who can vote in Malta, and we, rather than I, are ready to give political parties a good run for their money!

My coming out is a movement of the people because politics in Malta has become boring. Malta is over politicised and polarised. All that politicians do is argue even when there is no need to do so, while ignoring the country's problems. Political parties think they are infallible. The parties promise people heaven on earth and, after the elections, they forget those same people who put them there.

The establishment run their TV and radio stations, blaring propaganda all day long. Corporate government practised by political parties leads to rollbacks and corruption. It is time to change the equation.

The Euro parliament elections are the perfect time for people to show their anger. There is no government at stake. No referendum, nothing to gain or lose. This is not about Red or Blue. It is about your franchise as an individual. So the people must choose someone who comes from a neutral background. A vote for me will be a vote of no confidence in the establishment. It will be a protest vote to show the establishment that power belongs to the people.

I am running in this election to speak up and tackle minority issues. Women have been subtly discriminated against. How many women were chosen by the political parties to contest this election? What is the ratio of women's representation in the government? Has the government thought about single mothers by establishing day care centres for their children while they are at work?

Roberta Tedesco Triccas said at a university debate the other day that I cannot talk about women's rights because I am not a woman. Rubbish. I challenge her to a debate on women's issues.

Gay partners have no right to inheritance; the issue of divorce is being shifted under the carpet. I was the first to speak up about the plight of bikers and sports car owners who are finding it difficult to insure their machines. Joseph Muscat rushed to arrange a meeting with them.

How can you trust these people?

Conditions of work for sportsmen and women are pathetic because the government does not care about sports in this country. Peace education to foster tolerance in our youth is not given any prominence. There are a number of other minority issues that are been neglected. Somebody must speak up on these issues and many more. That is why I am running in this election.

I am a small man standing up for little guys fed up with the establishment's double standards because they don't care about us. They only remember us in times of election. So it's either you don't vote, spoil your vote or else vote for Damian Iwueke. Why not?

Mr Iwueke is an independent candidate for the European parliament elections.