I would like to invite Sliema residents to make the right choice by electing Michael Briguglio, who already served the council between 2003 and 2009 when he worked hand in hand with civil society to stop unsustainable developments like the Qui-Si-Sana car park, the Chalet and Pjazzetta developments.

Unfortunately, in his absence the council not only suffered a moral degeneration, which shocked the upright citizens of Sliema but stopped representing residents facing unsustainable developments.

It is also of vital importance that residents elect someone with the right political experience to ensure that the council works for their benefit rather than for the political machines of the big parties. By presenting its chairman, Alternattiva Demokratika – the green party is showing how much it values local councils as ends in themselves rather than means to an end.

I hope that as a prospective councillor in nearby Swieqi I will be able to work with Mr Briguglio in Sliema and with Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros in St Julians to foster regional cooperation to the benefit of residents of this region.