I refer to the article Arrogance By Any Other Name by Mario Calleja, mayor of Marsascala.

In his concluding paragraphs, inter alia Mr Calleja writes: "It is high time that all Maltese, whatever their political beliefs, take stock of the situation. We are living in dangerous times. If the government is allowed to trample on our rights and liberties, our future is really bleak. It is time for every one of us to stand up and be counted".

And he continues: "It is time for action. We have to stand and fight for our rights, our homes, our village, our environment, our children and children's children".

At the risk of being labelled arrogant, I would like to ask Mr Calleja a few pertinent questions: Did he stand up to be counted between 1971 and May 1987 when workers' rights were being trampled upon by the workers' government and its concubine the GWU?

When Nationalist supporters were, every year, baton charged by police during independence celebrations? When the SMU police charged and threw tear gas and even fired on Nationalist supporters during PN meetings?

When socialist thugs burnt down The Times' offices and ransacked the then Opposition Leader's private residence terrorising his family?

When the "Battle of Zejtun" raged on at Tal-Barrani, on that fateful day in November 1986?

Need I recite the whole litany, Mr Calleja? Where were you at the time?