Malta deserves better

We are regular visitors to Malta and watched the final of the Eurovision Song Contest with some Maltese friends. The first contest took place with the aim of "stimulating the output of original, high-quality songs in the field of popular music". That aim has misfired. Malta put on a creditable show with a performance which was equal to most and superior to some; yet received only one vote.

This humiliation does not reflect on the quality of the performance, but on the voting habits and prejudices of other countries. For instance, the countries which now make up the former Yugoslavia voted for each other and the former Soviet Union countries did the same. Some of these are micro states with tiny populations - but equal voting powers. The farcical way in which the votes are cast, with neighbouring countries giving a "sweetheart" vote in the hope of reciprocation, means that Malta, with no neighbours in the contest, is bereft of this largesse.

The quality of the contest has declined to the point where spectacle and shock tactics have overtaken the creation of music. We think that the talent and enthusiasm put into the contest by Malta's young people deserve a better showcase, and that Malta should show it's disdain for this base and trivial nonsense by pulling out.

Perhaps the UK would then follow suit - we hope so.