The lighter side of politics

In my opinion, politics, although being a very serious business, should also be taken with a pinch of salt.

The past

Humour has been very much in evidence in Maltese politics, perhaps even more in the past. Satirical newspapers were popular such as the famous Dr. Xecchec in the Twenties and Thirties. Carnival floats satirized Maltese politics and politicians.

Political cartoons were of a very high quality. Not so long ago, there were individuals who contested General Elections and whose light-hearted antics brought laughter and comic relief to so many through the medium of politics.

Candidates

Those of us who are actively involved in politics know that humour is never absent from the political scene. Watch the TV clip of a political leader walking through the streets of a town or village. Notice the party candidates and activists walking behind him, each trying to make sure that the cameras capture their image immediately behind that of the leader.

Then, of course, there is the way candidates promote themselves. If election time is approaching, they are infinitely interested in listening even to the most banal trivialities from potential voters. They will praise you to the skies, smile continuously and make you feel so important, so appreciated. It's all so artificial, so utterly ridiculous, so theatrical!

Double-faces

The joke about the person who goes to work with a pro-Government newspaper, depending on which political party is in power, is really no joke at all but a reality for a good number of people. I also know several persons who will praise the Labour Party if they are speaking to a known Labourite and the Nationalist Party if they are speaking to a known Nationalist. I know persons who are members of both the main political parties in Malta. It's both ridiculous and pathetic. Opportunism run stark mad, the ridiculing of politics.

The news

I always make it a point never to waste time watching the news on TV. The national channel is hopelessly biased towards the Government side while the news of the party channels is simply a farce. Although I am a convinced Labourite, I still believe that the party political stations should be abolished. What I find utterly ridiculous is the fact that so many people state that they watch as much of the news as possible on the national channel and both political- party channels on TV, incredible!

Mass meetings

Do several people attend Mass meetings because they are interested in what the speakers will be saying? Far from it! A good number attend because it's a social occasion where they can let off steam. They can shout, sing, clap, jump up and down, dance, drink, etc. Several even leave as soon as the music is over and just as the speeches start. If you ask them next morning what the Leader said, they will look blankly at you and ask you to read the newspaper because they don't know!