As we get near to the next general election, it is worthwhile to examine the state of Maltese politics today. Unfortunately, it is not a pretty picture. Cynicism is the order of the day, and many are disillusioned with the depths to which politics in Malta has descended to.
Which is why at the next general election, irrespective of which political party one votes for, one should strive to favour those candidates who still believe in causes, who are still guided by values, who still see politics as public service and not a tool for self-advancement.
The day of the great causes is long gone. Anything that can lose votes is now quickly shunted aside: it is contrary to the current political philosophy of winning at all costs.
One needs only mention the way the developers’ lobby is pandered to by politicians as an example.
Instead of espousing a great and noble cause – preserving our environment – we are seeing politicians fall over themselves to secure the support of powerful and influential businessmen in the construction industry. The catastrophic results of such a policy are there for all to see.
I do not agree with the idea that some citizens should bear with certain sacrifices given that the construction industry is a prime source of employment and boosts the economy through its multiplier effect.
While this is true, we also cannot ignore the fact that the present frenzy of construction has led to a situation where the number of people who cannot even relax in their own home is ever on the increase.
Furthermore, we are destroying the beauty of our towns and villages. To give an example, Balzan, where I live, was one of Malta’s most beautiful villages around 50 years ago.
Today, gone are its fields and many of its gardens, with ugly concrete apartment blocks spreading throughout the village. When I see these things, I tend to say that there is something wrong with politics.
It has become common to justify a particular course of action by its material consequences, putting aside such things as values and beliefs
Another source of worry is the prevalence of ‘fake news’.
Those of us actively involved in politics find it very difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is made up when presented with data and information pertaining to politics.
The way facts are distorted and turned on their head has become amazing to behold. What is particularly preoccupying is the fact that several party supporters simply swallow all the fake news they are presented with instead of evaluating it in a critical manner.
Utter pettiness also seems to have invaded the political scene. In my time, people looked down with contempt upon those who changed sides simply because some petty request of theirs was not entertained. Today, it is common for a turncoat to be given prime time on television simply to blacken the image of his former party.
The situation is fast becoming ridiculous. I admire people who change sides out of genuine conviction, but the actions of others who do so because they are motivated by greed I find utterly contemptible.
The latter turncoats do not realise how pathetic they are when they present themselves on television to explain that they changed sides because they were denied some favour they expected.
Little do they realise they are exposing their intellectual pettiness, because they are admitting that for them politics is little more than a market, exchanging political support for petty favours.
Finally, I find it unacceptable that politics should be measured with a materialist yardstick.
Today, it has become common to justify a particular course of action by its material consequences, putting aside such things as values and beliefs.
Progressing in one particular materialist sphere at the cost of regressing in that of ethical values, for instance, should make us reflect and start asking questions.
We have to be careful that political decisions do not start becoming based simply on what gives results, regardless of the cost.
That would be a foolhardy course of action, choosing the ephemeral and discarding what is more lasting.
My personal views on the coming election are obvious. I believe there is no comparison between what Labour has to offer and what the Nationalists have to offer in return.
Labour has delivered, while the Nationalists are totally unconvincing in their arguments.
For me, anybody who has the national interest at heart will vote Labour. However, I sincerely hope that the quality of politics in Malta will improve during the next legislature.
We need to reduce the influence of powerful businessmen in Maltese politics; we need a more honest media; we need to rediscover values in politics; we need to give a greater voice to ordinary people.
I hope that the next Labour government will adequately tackle these problems.
Desmond Zammit Marmarà is a Balzan Labour councillor.