Lesson for Malta in political debates

Having watched the first leaders' debate in the United Kingdom, I think that there are plenty of lessons for our politicians, and us as a society, to learn.

It was a civil debate, focused on policy and where speakers showed respect for one another. The audience asked pertinent and non-loaded questions, represented a wide cross-section of society, and was there to listen, not to clap or jeer. In fact, there was only one clap at the end.

A far cry from the debates (sic) we had during the 2008 elections on the Friday night show. The UK debate made our debates look more like a Jerry Springer show. I urge our party leaders to get together and iron out such debate parameters and do away with the boisterous and farcical set-up we have had so far.

We deserve much better.