People don't see need for AD on councils - Cassola

D.Falzon

Jun 16th 2009, 08:58

AD should lick its wounds, and get right back on its feet. Maybe a change in leadership is appropriate sooner rather than later. Arnold is probably good, but Harry was better in charisma. They do need a leader that can attact more people to AD. As things stand, I predict that next election (general) AD will fail again. This because the environment is highly polarised right now, with a party in power for a very long time, the other party with a new leader promissing everything in the world. Chances are that next election, MLP will get power, then it will fail on most promises (it already knows it cannot hold to) the people that fell for labour (96 style) will realise the mistake, but would not want another PN in government, so AD will probably gain a lot there, from both parties.
I as a floating voter, having voted in my lifetime, PN, MLP, PL, AD because I like calling myself Maltese and not Laburist jew Nazzjonalist, believe that AD should not call it quits and should not revert back to being a pressure group but remain, remain with big changers to how it sends over its message.

R. Callus

Jun 15th 2009, 20:38

@James De Giorgio While it is true that so far AD's gains have been in local elections, forget it that without AD we would have had the same political scenario. For one thing, only due to AD is the environment in the political sphere (with the precious contribution of environmental NGO's, no matter the color they vote). If AD were so insignificant, why should the other parties, especially PN be so bent to destroy? (Remember the vote Harry get Freddie media campaign last general election?) Also, keep in mind that (unfortunately) in Malta there is no concept of left or right. Sometimes PN is more leftist than PL, sometimes the other way round. What far-right are you talking about? Josie and Lowell? Come on!

J. Borg

Jun 15th 2009, 20:02

@ D. Calleja If I'm dreaming then tell your pals at Dar Centrali to RELAX :) Moreover tell also GonziPN that they have nothing to fear by lowering the Electoral threshold to 5% - thus they need not drag their feet any longer. Unfortunately however they may actually not be so convinced that I am dreaming!

J Micallef

Jun 15th 2009, 19:04

After last general election, Briguglio declared on Xarabank that he voted for the MLP. If AD's own candidates do not vote for AD itself, what do you expect the electorate to do?

D.Calleja

Jun 15th 2009, 17:29

@J.Borg Dream on!!! First you get trashed in the EP elections and now all your candidates on the LC ballot sheets get ignored and dismissed. These include Michael Briguglio who was living under the delusion of representing the will of Sliema's population. When a political party cannot even get a representative on the LC boards there is only one thing left for it to do - disband!! You haven't yet realised that you cannot just consider the environmental issues while ignoring all else. Ask yourself the simple question - Why would anyone in his right senses choose AD over another party? The other parties have wisely taken up your political agendas and integrated them into their all-encompassing policy structures. They can discuss and decide on anything by carefully putting everything into the balance and reach unbiased and sensible conclusions. On the other hand, AD and the other pressure groups cannot think straight due to very uncomplicated and obvious reasons – they are too focused, too intransigent and completely out of touch with the realities of life for the populace!! End of discussion.

Matthew Agius

Jun 15th 2009, 13:53

The biggest defect of AD, is that it has grown to be a supporter of PL. The only thing it does is criticise the government. The opposition seems to be ok for AD. So voters wanting a third choice don't find it anymore. They either do not vote, or vote PL. AD was slightly balanced before, but now it seems that AD fancies PL and hates PN, so face the music.

adrian aquilina

Jun 15th 2009, 13:21

to mr de giorgio,the far right have never done any good in this world and never will...the 2 main parties have adopted A.D's green ideas but have no clue,especially P.N. Thankfully A.D will carry on being the only party who have fought for our health and to make this country a better,cleaner ,healthier place to live..they are the only party who have done anything towards our enviroment and i hope will push for a liberal society..america being the last country to realise how bad the right is when bush was in power.

Joe Camilleri

Jun 15th 2009, 13:02

@ J Borg How did you conclude the "5% enough to secure a crucial one seat in parliament. ". If you count all the members of 'these' NGOs, they would not even amount to a hundred. ( do not rely on BLM members because the majority of them are kindergarten children) Ask the newly elected MEPs which NGO's members votes counts most !!! (FKNK)

J. Borg

Jun 15th 2009, 12:05

The only positive thing the PN can get out of the recent poll, is to try bury AD.

Whilst the PNPL have been induced to put the environment on their agenda - they still haven't understood what the environment is really about!

It is evident that no government who "enjoys absolute" power - in the PNPL musical chairs cabinets - will ever effectively implement and embrace environmentally-lead policies. We have mitigated matters by joining the EU, however implementationwise we're still far off. AD's political bite (albeit strangled by PLPN) is crucial.

AD will not have its resources erroded at LocalCouncil level, is a blessing - these able and dedicated individuals can now focus their energies to tackle more salient marco issues that have a direct bearing on the quality of life we're handing over to our kids.

The handfull of dedicated NGOs are doing miracles with limited resources - if only they could run the country themselves! AD can work closely with these NGOs and build on a core support of 5% enough to secure a crucial one seat in parliament.

Then the environment will not stop paying the price for the obligations the PNPL have towards their donors.

r ferriggi

Jun 15th 2009, 11:44

any half-brained human can realise that the PN is TOTALLY hell-bent on destroying alternattiva.

one asks.... but WHY is the PN more afraid of alternativa than the PL.....?? to the extent that the two main parties,,,, PL and PN have also managed to exclude the smaller parties from any weighting in the local political scene.

i also therefore add: WHY are the people so attached to the two political parties?? do they have an inkling that with AD they will not be able to mess around with the usual favors , permits, jobs etc??

James De Giorgio

Jun 15th 2009, 11:25

It simply amazes me how each time AD contests the elections, they seem not to realise that their time is up. I mean it could stay, but there are other people who are obviously attracing more votes.

The Green Left should bow out and make way for the far-right, however much unpleasant that sounds. I believe we cannot avoid the inevitable; it's their time now.

Ramon Casha

Jun 15th 2009, 11:11

Lots of people don't vote for values or principles. They vote for parties, and against parties. One look at the votes with all the candidates of one party given consecutive votes in alphabetical order will make this clear.

Alex Spiteri

Jun 15th 2009, 10:58

can i suggest the Greens a new slogan?

GAMEOVER!

g. scerri

Jun 15th 2009, 10:32

Third parties in Malta find it almost impossible to acquire the space they need, as any issue of value that they present is quickly absorbed by the two main parties. It has always been so and there will be no change in the situation. As for Mr. Briguglio, the word that goes round seems to suggest that yes, while his efforts have been appreciated, his far left views seem to offend many. Malta still believes unfortunately, that views that are not acceptable to some, or even to the many, have to be suffocated.

Joe Camilleri

Jun 15th 2009, 09:40

And neither the people see any need for AD as MEPs or in parliament (after 18 years of harping the same songs)

lgalea

Jun 15th 2009, 09:33

People don't see AD's need anywhere Cassola.

E Gatt

Jun 15th 2009, 09:23

Green policies have been adopted by the main parties and AD have as a result lost their claim to exclusivity on the environment.

Harry Vassallo, Arnold Cassola and other AD members were instrumental in making the environment one of the government’s priorities and I feel we should be grateful for their service.

AD will be viewed with less suspicion and become more effective if it reverts to its roots - not as a political party but as a pressure group.