16-year-olds have been able to join PN for years

Joe Vella

Sep 19th 2008, 19:39

@ Maria Pace

The statement by MZPN clearly state that it is the Nationalist Party that 16 year olds can join.

Joe Vella

Sep 19th 2008, 19:35

@ V. Fenech

Keep watching Super One and other MLP media outlets.

On the issue of the MLP doing better then the PN; I am quite sure with the likes of Jason Micallef, Toni Abela, Anglu Farrugia and Alex Scibberras Trigona in the MLP leadership it should do better.

Wake UP my friend.

Kevin Chircop

Sep 19th 2008, 18:50

If Dr.Muscat instead of being the Opposition Leader was instead elected as Pope, I'm sure the PN apologists would say that St.Peter was their first PN Leader. PN always does things better, like erm... putting Malta on top of negative lists in EU such as inflation, early shool leavers etc...

What a fun reading certain comments. It seems that people like Mr.J.Vella although coming with all sort of arguments to justify the PN blunders are suddenly realising the dire situation this PN government has put us in. I qoute "there are more important and immennent issues that I think The Government and Joseph Muscat should be concerned with at this time"

Can you please explain what these imminent issues are because if you listen to Radio101, the government is doing wonders!

Jeremy J Camilleri

Sep 19th 2008, 18:33

The PN is a TRULY inclusive PARTY.,....so THERE....


This stand truly contrasts with the statement issued not too long ago by a PN leader who stated that he would not accept a gay person in his cabinet......ok ok..so they're not that inclusive...but hey..they accept 16 year olds....

Now, I am REALLY worried...some people have disappeared, so I suggest we send out a search and rescue team....we do it for illegals...so why not for Maltese citizens....

You guessed it...I 'm worried about the hordes of blue eyed zombies who had a field day calling Joseph Muscat a kid, and a million other names, because he wanted to discuss the rights of 16 year old in politics....

ands yes..I do know that this article isn't about 16 year olds voting...but MZPN also stated that they had proposed that first...

Well, if so, why is Joseph hogging all the limelight...'sigh' so galling......

I wonder if DCG's sons were PN members when they were 16 years old...I am just wondering..i DO NOT want to invade her privacy...I leave privacy invading to...well....

Maria Pace

Sep 19th 2008, 17:47

The people below who are well-informed on everything about the PN, please answer me on this one as I'm not entirely sure:
Can a 16-year old become a member of the PN, referring to those we call 'tesserati' or can a 16-year old just become a member of MZPN?

If the latter is the current situation, one can also join FZL(Forum Zghazagh Laburisti) if he/she is under 18 so all this boasting by MZPN is really not necessary!!!!

Graham Crocker

Sep 19th 2008, 17:17

Sigh...I'm not even going to bother arguing for this.
Half the 16 year olds are extremely excited over this, the other half have a life.

V Fenech

Sep 19th 2008, 16:18

Joe Vella need not to worry for the MLP, especially when considering that he can't bear in mind that labour is currently performing muc more better than the pi en. You may know then why Gonzi has kept silent when his party's youths ended up supporting the labour leader in pushing forward further voting rights!!!

You should also admit that the PN is in total confusin. Contradictions between Fenech and Gatt, Dalli and Gonzi and JPO is still being hidden behind Gonzi's useless cries. Maybe that's way pi en thinks that it's dominant over the younger electorate since they have become accustomed to building discotheques on nature reserves!!!

Roderick Mizzi

Sep 19th 2008, 16:11

Where is DCG now? Ohh now I know I think that 16 year old are mature enough now since the PN is trying to get the merit for this.

I really believe that 16 year old's should have their vote in the local council, why they can't have their say? The 16 year's old are already involved in politics because politics are the everyday life we live. Being a student involves me in politics because it does metter who get's elected and what they are proposing for my future.

But now let's go back to local government. Most of the sub-comitee's in a local council are formed by youths aged 15-18, doesn't that make them involved in politics already or not? The only problem they have is simple, they can and most of them they will be involved in politics but they don't have their say! Is that fair?

Please note that at the age of 16 they have the right to start working and PAY TAXES like all of you.

Joe Vella

Sep 19th 2008, 15:49

@ J Caruana

You are quite right. The issue that should be addressed first is the one you have raised. I cannot understand why those whose birthday falls between the date that the Electoral Register is published and the date that the Election Day falls on couldn't vote.

I am sure that the Electoral Commission, given todays' technology, could print an updated Electoral Register including those who's 18th birthday falls since the publication of the Electoral Register and on or before election day. What I would suggest in the name of cost and the environment is that instead of a full Electoral Register is printed instread a supplimnet list for eachDistrict with those 18 year old whose birthday falls after the last Electoral Register and Election Day.

Joe Vella

Sep 19th 2008, 15:39

@ M D Fenech

Before you comment I suggest you read and comprehend what you have read. The MZPN statement reads that the PN had reduces the membership age to 16 yearl old years ago; whereas, this is only being proposed now by Joseph Muscat for the MLP. This onlytells me htat th ePN is light years ahead from the MLP.

On the issue of 16 year olds voting in local Councils elections the MZPN points out that it has proposed so well before Joseph Muscat stopped dreaming and woke up.

the ironny in all this is that Joseph Muscat first called for 16 year olds voting for local Councils and yet they didn't have the same privilege to become menbers in the MLP. If this is not the case of putting the carrot before the horse then what it is.

Joe Vella

Sep 19th 2008, 15:29

@ Charles Buttigieg

Charles all you have to do is look at the last election to come up with the answear. Most likely one of the major contributor factor in the MLP lost was the fact that the MLP was promising things that where either implemented or being implemented.

My guess is that, at this stage, Joseph Muscat will say anything that will grap a few headlines.

@ V. Fenech

Maybe perhaps good ideas come from the bottom up and not from the top down. But we all know from the past that there is no room in the MLP for the grass roots to speak thier minds and share thier ideas and inspirations.

With all due respect to all 16 and 17 year old, there are more important and immennent issues that I think The Government and Joseph Muscat should be concerned with at this time.

M D Fenech

Sep 19th 2008, 15:27

@Franco Farrugia
Who's forcing anyone?
@MZPN
Joining a party doesn't mean you have the right to vote! It''s not the same!
@I M Dingli
Age has nothing to do with how one behaves. Just switch on the radio to hear a parliament debate sometime!

J Caruana

Sep 19th 2008, 15:23

I was eighteen years and (four months) old when the last general election was held, and I COULD NOT vote, so rather blah, blah, a lot of press statements and round the table discussions about to drop the age to sixthteen for one to vote:

Why souldn't YOU(whoever) remove this discrepancy?

Franco Farrugia

Sep 19th 2008, 14:53

I am totally against 16 yr olds being officially involved in politics. They should rather be encouraged to enjoy themselves and study and train for their futures!

Both political parties should be outrightly CONDEMNED by all educators for trying to force youngsters to join the political fray which, in Malta, is of a petty and a stupid nature.

V Fenech

Sep 19th 2008, 14:43

MZPN mentioned it, the PN kept silent about it and Joseph Muscat managed to push it forward. It is useless to keep on trying to twist facts, whether the mzpn mentioned it or not Muscat is the one putting it on the national agenda.

Gonzi has kept silent for all these weeks.Maybe he has other worrying things on mind which he brought with his own hands. I hope he won't try some gimick during the "independance" celebrations.

Alexander Grima

Sep 19th 2008, 14:06

@ I.M. Dingli ... So according to you, do most of us grown-ups behave any better? ... Tad-dahq!!!

Charles J Buttigieg

Sep 19th 2008, 13:50

Practically all proposals that Alfred Sant used to make as leader of the opposition the PN used to ridicule him for it or at best find holes in it and disregarded it.

Practically any proposal which Joseph Muscat comes out with the PN claims merit for its originality. Could somebody tell me why?

Raisa Bianco-Bianchi

Sep 19th 2008, 13:47

Oh, well. I am on the PN's side. Nonetheless, I think they should have said this as soon as Joey came up (copied, I could say now huh?) with this idea. Saying it only now is a little too late I guess.

I, however, cannot see anything so "blissful" in 16-year-olds getting the vote. It sounds like Muscat thinks that by doing so he is luring us younger ones. Well, far from it. It sounds to me more of another ounce of responsibility and stress (to ponder for who to vote.) I urge Muscat to come up with something more enticing, as this isn't as triggering as he thinks it is.

Let’s introduce this; I have no objections to that. I am not one of those presumptuous people commenting on this site and wanting to impose their views on others. It can be introduced, after all, it is up to us to vote or not. Many grown-ups do not vote, so let alone us younger ones. Nevertheless, I want to say it again. Lowering the voting age is by no means luring us to vote for some party and not the other.

Joe Vella

Sep 19th 2008, 13:17

Oh, so the first call for the lowering of age to 16 year olds to vote in Local Councils didn't come from Joseph Muscat at all.

I. M. Dingli

Sep 19th 2008, 13:09

I think 5 year old kids behave better.... tal-biza!!