The pastizzi saga. A snobbish remark enunciated on social media by Anne Fenech, which mirrored the narcissistic true self of the Nationalist Party which subconsciously considers a large part of the Maltese population as being Maltese of a lesser kind. An unwarranted classist remark which was motivated by an idea that a divide exists in our society, a divide made up of the common people who enjoy spending their time at the village każin sipping coffee and eating pastizzi on Formica-laminated tables and the high-class Maltese society who drink tea only from china cups at lavish tea parties.

The unanimous reaction of the Maltese public opinion against this classist remark by the president of the Nationalist Party’s executive committee in the face of pastizzi-eaters is a reflection of the sorry state in which the Nationalist Party has ended up.

This is an existential contradiction for the Nationalist Party, a party which yearns to be a government for all but, at the same time, is cut off from reality and is unapologetic for such out-of-touch remarks.

The executive committee president forgot that not every Maltese has the ‘privilege’ to be born in a family where breakfast was served with a silver spoon in the company of the Lord of Her Majesty’s Admiralty.

I am a firm believer that distinctions in society are never a healthy practice. This is a similar concept to the unnecessary labels of ħamalli or tal-pepè that we give to Maltese or English (or a mix of both) speakers in Malta. A social divide ideology that is perpetuated on a daily basis by the likes of Daphne Caruana Galizia and her pool of hideous commentators who rejoice at categorising people by their twisted morals and standards. Celebrating instead of categorising and marginalising different ways of life should be promoted within our society as a healthy way to coexist on this tiny rock of ours.

The perpetuation of class divide fabricated on social stratification models in which people are grouped as pastizzi and non-pastizzi-eaters is a dangerous precedent. This is symptomatic of the creation of class barriers engineered on class perceptions used to devalue people on the basis of their way of life. A society built on class prejudice that labels people as ‘crude and common’ on the basis of their social circles and eating habits is definitely not an inclusive and healthy society.

The division of well-mannered behaviour of the privileged few in contrast to the uncivilised behaviour of the uneducated masses is a thing of the past. As a small nation-State we have to strive to eliminate these social barriers and our political class has the duty to lead by example and not perpetuate misconceptions based on inexistent cultural rifts. Diversity in our communities has to be celebrated and not stigmatised to strengthen class divisions. Class divisions, which have always worked against those who are the least advantaged in our society. Divisions which have always been used against the struggle of social mobility of those who have always been marginalised as belonging to the invisible segment of our society.

What’s wrong with being humble? What’s wrong with enjoying a typical Maltese delicacy in one of the most pristine spots in Malta? What’s wrong with people mingling and forgetting their social background and status?

I prefer to spend a day at Serkin eating pastizzi and chatting with Maltese village people than spending an hour in a gilded room eating caviar and drinking champagne with the likes of snobs, classist and elitist people such as Anne Fenech.

So, Anne, get off your high horse and see what Maltese people are really like.

Alex Saliba , Lawyer.

To comprehend the underlying message in this question one needs to go beyond its wording.

This is not about eating or not eating pastizzi. Pastizzi are our local fast food and most of us love them, even though doctors advise us not to indulge regularly, to keep the ‘silent killer’ at bay.

Neither is the issue here about snobbishness. I do not subscribe to classism. This question goes beyond the much ado about nothing when our Prime Minister entertained his distinguished guests to a snack of pastizzi.

This query tackles a core issue. It questions our social inequality and disparity, that is, about those who have and those who have not, in our society. Are we all on an equal footing? Do we have the same opportunities? Are particular citizens living on pastizzi while others are being entertained at ‘lavish banquets’? Are some treated more equally than others?

“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” These are the opening lines from the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It recalls the social and political disparity between two capital cities, Paris and London, before and after the French Revolution.

In Malta, are we living in two separate ‘cities’: the ‘city of those who have’ and the ‘city of those who have not’? Are some enjoying the ‘best of times’ while others the ‘worst of times’?

Previous governments sought to tackle the social disparity by providing a level of standard of living. Over the years, we have successfully built a sound welfare state. Through investment in education and making the right social policy decisions, governments have sought to empower citizens to embark on social mobility and avoid the poverty trap. This is our success story.

Although great advancement has been registered, regretfully, there are still citizens, particularly the elderly, families with low income and people with mental health issues, who are still experiencing social and financial vulnerability. Recent data and studies confirm this.

Although the Labour government spins about the current economy boom, sadly, this is not trickling down to all levels of society. This success story is not being shared and told by all.

Ironically, contrary to its own political roots, the government is encouraging further social disparity, something the great Labour tradition did not formerly stand for. The Labour Party has now morphed into a liberal neo-capitalist party.

While some ‘posts of trust’ are paid exuberant salaries, others have to live on a minimum wage or on an inadequate pension. While some have clout or even perhaps leverage over Castille, others are considered outcasts. These are just a few examples of what social inequality entails.

Now that the general election is fast approaching, it is becoming only too evident that the Labour government is trying to appease its core voters by giving what many consider to be alms, compared to the government’s generosity to some, particularly greedy ‘fat cats’.

Clientelism, accommodation of policies, engineered vacancies, numerous disputable direct orders, amnesties and everlasting sleaze allegations are all façades of social disparity. This leads to social injustice, which, in turn, widens social inequality further. Thus, the vicious circle is formed. This is socially repulsive.

My political determination and that of the Nationalist Party’s new line-up is to work to break this vicious circle.

Politics is all about upholding and safeguarding the common good. Politics is not about the ‘I’ but about the ‘we’. Politics is not about the interests of the few but that of the many. Politics is not about pastizzi or some hollow buzzwords. Politics is about giving all the right opportunities to succeed.

It is about making our society a better, fairer and a just place to live in.

Albert Buttigieg, Nationalist Party Candidate And Deputy Mayor Of St Julian’s.