Maurice Mizzi, (‘Power to the people’, The Sunday Times of Malta, December 1) argues that the use of referendums makes a government more democratic and acceptable to the people and states that the proposed referendum on spring hunting will be a test of our democracy. Perhaps if the question dealt with the banning of cars from our roads to avoid noise and environmental pollution his opinion would differ.

Indeed, referendums are a democratic means for an educated and informed public to be able to reverse controversial issues. But how can a person like Mizzi, who recently suggested hunters should undergo a test to obtain a hunting licence, when hunting tests have been in practice for decades, be considered worthy of any valid contribution on the subject?

Does hunting become controversial because, as he often states, shots awaken him early in the morning? Mizzi, often argues that hunting deprives him of seeing birds. For Mizzi the reason for supporting a referendum on spring hunting has no relation to the purpose of its existence, namely to protect birds during their breeding season, but only stems from his dislike of hunting in general. So his vote in this referendum would be that of a person who opposes hunting.

Mizzi considers referendums as the way forward. Perhaps a walk back in time to when biased and indoctrinated masses had their say in the democratic principle of their time might enlighten him to scrap his idea of “the people’s will”.

I can refer him to the case of Barabbas if he wants further enlightenment as to what the prejudiced rabble can achieve, particularly when influenced by those that have a defined purpose to incite public support.