Over the past few years, the local political scene has seen a number of people switching political alliances from one political party to another.

While this shows a healthy democracy, allowing people to shift without fearing any repercussions, a bigger question arises on the reality of political ideologies in the country.

In Italy, for example, though it is common for people to leave and change political parties, they very rarely cross the political divide and either end up starting their own party or else joining another force but on the same political side.

In Malta, we have just two political parties.

The Christian Democrat party tends to sit on the centre right of the political spectrum and, in Europe, tends to have more conservative policies though focusing on the individual rather than society as a whole.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a European think tank, says that: “The spiritual and political foundations of Christian democracy are rooted in the troika of the social ethics of Christian Churches, the liberal tradition of the enlightenment and the nurturing of civic values where the smallest social unit is understood to be the family.”

On the other hand, the Labour Party is considered a socialist party on the opposite side of the spectrum with policies that should focus on the collective.

A good ideological description of socialism is that it is “an ideology which advocates that the means of production, distribution and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole”.

My argument and questions relate to the lack of political insight and ideology knowledge of some of the so-called prospective politicians.

Not agreeing with a common party position or having misunderstandings with the partyleadership is normal and it is actually healthy to have opposing views on issues, though internal structures are there for everybody to have a discussion and then accept the will of the majority.

I have, on various occasions, expressed disappointment on certain decisions taken by the party I militate in, though I involve myself in the Nationalist Party because I believe in its core principles and the foundations it is based on.

Respect is not something that is gained through PR events or public appearances

I find it very difficult to comprehend how certain individuals who had expressed an interest in contesting the post of PN general secretary go through a conversion and now believe that socialism is the end to all evil.

We also had people who, in a matter of two months, went from describing the party leader as a man having strength, courage and foresight to writing a book and attributing the same qualities to the leader on the other side of the political divide.

What is interesting about these so-called party switchers is the rhetoric they resort to when addressing the new party faithful.

Idolising their new leader is a common practice, giving him some sort of god-like stature or comparing him with a father who welcomes the prodigal son back and willing to listen to their problems and ideas.

The question that is never answered is how long would it have taken the other party to groom the individual, lobbying behind the scenes to bring the person on board.

It is clear that a number of promises are made prior to the switch happening and this can be clearly seen in the appointments the present government gave to high-profile people who jumped on the new Labour bandwagon just prior to the election and are now enjoying cushy jobs paid by taxpayers’ money.

Respect is not something that is gained through PR events or public appearances but by being consistent in your beliefs and by doing what is good for the community according to your declared values and norms.

A person who focuses on his ideals and fights for what he believes in deserves respect.

A person who sticks to his goals through thick and thin shouldbe praised.

On the other hand, a person who jumps on a bandwagon for his own personal goals is considered weak and lacking solid principles.

Leonardo Da Vinci once said: “I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink but they whose heart is firm and whose conscience approves their conduct will pursue their principles unto death.”

Mauro Miceli is a PN candidate for the Swieqi local council.