Referring to hunting as a “problem”, Frans Said, in his letter ‘Political blackmail’ (October 8) states: “If both major political parties were to unite to seek what is best for these islands, this type of blackmail will lose its impact.”

Just to refresh Mr Said’s memory, both political parties, though not always united on all that’s best for these islands, did in fact unite and agree on what’s best where hunting is concerned. The PN rightly guaranteed a spring hunting season and the PL is seeking to better this guarantee. Also, both parties agree to abide by European directives common to all other European states that govern the practice of hunting and subsequently legislate accordingly.

Should he consider lobbying by hunters for suitable legitimate conditions as blackmail, we remind him of his right to lobby for his expectations too. Mr Said ignores the fact that in Malta, being a democratic country, he has every right to lobby or vote for a political party that entertains his views.

Notwithstanding its years of existence the only party that shares his views on hunter’s “political blackmail” has yet to prove that the form of “blackmail” it and Mr Said professes does indeed work or whether it does have a place in our democratic parliament where a sense of balance as attained by our serious political parties is paramount.