The sight of Labour MP Justyne Caruana pointing fingers at journalists (or was it one particular journalist?) and saying that they do not form part of the Labour "family" troubles me. Had this come from an "old" politician who still thinks that by pointing fingers and attacking those who disagree with him/her is the way to do politics, I would perhaps have "understood", even though it would still have been shameful. But coming from a young politician it truly worries me, and it worries all those young people who are simply fed up with the "us" against "them" approach.

We are lucky enough to have been spared those days when the "us" against "them" approach was believed in and practised religiously.

Dr Caruana's speech during Labour's general conference is reminiscent of that past. Ironically, Labour was discussing the way forward with the conference theme being Bidu Gdid, A New Beginning. If that is what they mean by a new beginning, then God spare us should we ever have to experience it! The delegates present found Dr Caruana's speech amusing and applauded her. It's a shame, however, that the party's administration, including the leader himself, applauded and cheered Dr Caruana. They of all people should know better.

Now mine is not an attack on Dr Caruana. This young Labour MP can be a role model to young people. The fact that she is young and dedicating her time to the people she represents in Parliament is a good enough example to young people to follow suit and give their time and energy to their country. But that scathing attack on a journalist and the colorful language used was uncalled for.

Only a few days before, Silvio Parnis, another young Labour MP, addressed Nationalist Party supporters as kattivi and klieb (cruel) while speaking on his party's radio.

Young people abhor this way of doing politics, and the least they expect is that young politicians themselves serve as an example to their senior colleagues.

We, the younger generation, always hope that the country finds a new way of doing politics and that young politicians shrug off partisanship and work for the common good. Excluding from your "family" those who disagree with you, or calling them klieb is definitely not what young people expect to hear. Should Labour eventually make it to office will all those who do not support it be sidelined just because they do not form part of the "family"? Will a Labour government work only for its family members?

Young people want politics that stand for cooperation not confrontation. We hear a lot about solidarity; it is only solidarity that will lead us to learn to live better with one another in spite of our differences. The younger generation is sick and tired of confrontational politics. Dr Caruana and Mr Parnis should know that this is not the way to do politics in the 21st century. We have to move forward not backwards!

Both Dr Caruana and Mr Parnis owe the younger generation an apology.

Something tells me they will. It would be greatly appreciated. Notwithstanding all our differences we are, after all, one family, one nation. Nothing and no one can change that.