When I started visiting households in my locality soon after I was approved as a Nationalist Party candidate, it became evident that I had to reach out to the constituents in various ways.

Although home visiting is still a very popular and successful way of meeting people, not everyone feels at ease talking to a candidate in one’s own home. Still, many accepted me into their homes and expressed their hopes, suggestions and even complaints about the locality.

In the case of constituents who, for some reason or another, are not reached through these visits, one has to come up with less traditional ways to approach them, always respecting one’s privacy and acknowledge the unconditional right of a person to decline any invitation to converse.

It would be totally irresponsible to disregard the views of such people by dismissing them as not interested. There are other means to resort to. The social media is undoubtedly a very good medium to establish contact with the individuals. Nowadays, one’s thoughts and frustrations can be easily disseminated among a vast audience.

It is only through proper channels of communication that there can be proper understanding

This is an opportunity for the politician to, first of all, listen to the views of the constituents and, secondly, to build a communicative bridge.

I cannot stress enough the importance of communication between the residents and their elected representatives. It may be human nature to assume things and reach conclusions without analysing the situation by looking at the bigger picture.

Politicians may be tempted to assume what the people they represent really require or want on the basis of the voting mandate and the voter could well be tempted to limit his/her views solely to his/her personal circumstances.

It is only through the existence of adequate channels of communication that there can be proper understanding.

I firmly believe that a counsellor should become part and parcel of the life of the locality s/he is representing. S/he must be easily approachable and available to assist in the needs of the community. Having said this, a good politician must possess the ability to make decisions, no matter how hard these may be.

Politics is not about gaining power. Power in itself is futile and can be very damaging to oneself and to the community. Politics is about having the authority to make the necessary decisions for the best interests of the community and be responsible to bear the weight of these same decisions.

To my mind, a good politician is distinguishable on this attribute. It is very unjust that politicians are often described as self-centred and opportunistic individuals. There are a lot of genuine and responsible individuals who offer their service, with a lot of sacrifice and dedication, to the community.

Apathy and refusing to vote is not an answer. With or without one’s vote, a representative body will always get elected. One’s vote is therefore very important in determining the choice of particular candidates over others.

It is only through responsible voting that one can assure that the representatives most fit for the job are elected. Although the voicing of one’s opinions through various means is good and certainly to be encouraged, it is ultimately through the voting system that representatives are chosen. By not voting one would be simply letting others decide for oneself and the interests and priorities of others are not necessarily compatible to yours.

I am contesting the local council elections in the locality of Iklin because I feel I have a lot to contribute to my community. Having always been resident in Iklin, I saw the locality change and develop with me. Moreover, as a notary I operate from Iklin, thus being very present in the locality.

I am proud to form part of the team of PN candidates because I always believed in the vision the party has for local governance, a vision that puts the needs of the human person at the very centre.

What motivates me is being able to contribute actively to the ideas and decisions needed to take Iklin to the year 2020, ideas moulded within a framework of strong values and principles.

I am willing to take an active role in the local plans of the community, be they infrastructural, educational, recreational or of a social nature.

I am prepared to offer the community my service, a service which is translatable into unremitting work, a service endorsed with determination, a service aimed towards your needs and those of the community.

Dorian Sciberras is a Nationalist candidate for the local elections