Glenn Bedingfield, Labour Party Candidate and Luke Dalli, lawyer

Straight answer? No. Further than that, we strongly believe that we do take politics too seriously here in Malta. Just look at voter turnout and the way people get worked up when they discuss a political issue.

As of forever, we have been an argumentative and hot-blooded nation with strong opinions on anything we discuss. Politics is no exception. Or, maybe, politics tops the charts for the topic that brings out the worst side of us. We cannot really generalise but the large majority of us do feel too strongly about most political topics discussed in this country.

Asking someone about their political opinions immediately triggers their defence mechanism as though they have to be prepared to defend their beliefs and attack yours, at times too aggressively. A pity when we should be able to agree to disagree, have a healthy discussion and, maybe, turn issues into a joke.

Political conversations in general are bound to turn into full-scale shouting matches.

Politics is taken so seriously that it is sometimes a cause for shame. There are citizens who have strong political beliefs who will still not be seen at a political party meeting or who would not openly talk about their voting preferences because they are ‘scared’ to come out of the closet, so to speak.

There is also a prevalent class rift among voters, where some still look down on people who support one party over another. It is still considered by some as ‘non-u’ (that is, not characteristic of the upper classes) to vote for a Labour candidate, even though this has improved over the years.

A sensible explanation to this behaviour might be the clashing of two or more boisterous Mediterranean individuals on an issue they both have at heart. We love a good old loud chat on something we strongly believe in, be it our local feast, football, religious beliefs, but most of all politics. Does this mean we cannot take anything with a pinch of salt and treat a casual conversation for what it is? Yes, probably. But would the lack of this remove something intrinsic from a Maltese person? We believe so too.

Politics tops the charts for the topic that brings out the worst side of us

With Tanatnejn we tried to inject a dose of satire and humour into an otherwise solemn political sphere. We wanted to drive home our political agenda in a lighter way. A way which would be understood by all our viewers but which would also entertain them. It was never meant to be full out comedy but, at the same time, it had to bring a smile on the faces of whoever watched.

From time immemorial, satire was necessary to prick the egos of the powerful and necessary for the functioning of a democratic society. A witty satirical piece can often say and convey a lot more than a direct piece.

The UK government is a good example of where humour has been used well in politics. The Prime Minister’s Question Time is filled with political quips and rebuttals.

In fact, if politics is presented in a more witty way it will probably attract younger people and elevate the young from political apathy. However, there is a fine line between something that is witty and something that is dramatic. Maltese Parliament TV is one place where politicians can be witty, it is live television, after all, but certain episodes have made us feel that the unnecessary drama can serve to disenfranchise people further.

Ultimately, humour is just another way of communicating your message and communication, as we know, is very important in politics. Accepting satire and living in an ecosystem where the ones at the top accept it and embrace it is a sign of political health.

We strongly believe that, instead of taking politics too seriously, we should strive to take political satire more seriously.

Tanatnejn over and out.

David Thake, Nationalist Party Candidate

Politics is serious business. It is the tool used to turn lives upside down and make history. The question is: are politicians always people who should be taken seriously and are they always chosen on merit?

Politicians expect a certain air of respect around them and we often witness outrage when they are mocked or have their mistakes exposed. In fact, it is not unheard of that, to hit out at whoever is offending them, politicians proclaim that the fabric of society or the foundations of the nation are being threatened.

Yes, of course, there are politicians who take criticism in their stride and even grow from it but, by and large, there is no doubt that there is still room for improvement.

How many times do we encounter politicians who govern or who aspire to govern and who express their opinions about the economy when they clearly have little knowledge about what they are discussing? Should they not at least know more than the average man or woman in the street?

When we do not take politics seriously, we pave the way for politicians to take us for a ride

One of the most fascinating debates to watch at times is the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the British Parliament. We see humour in action as a way of scoring political points and it makes political banter even pleasant to watch and follow. Compare that to some ‘Sunday sermon’ we are sometimes subjected to at political activities where some members of the political class think the faithful in front of them are thirsty and eager for their every word.

Of course, all is not lost. The internet and, in particular, social media have added a big dose of fun to the equation and brought many seemingly untouchable subjects and people straight into the line of crowd humour.

The reality, however, is that politics remains a very serious business and Brexit and the election of Donald Trump have taught the world that political choice should be taken seriously.

Demagogues who claim to place their trust in the wisdom of the masses should be treated with immense caution. Decisions by the State may be debatable but they require a minimum of civic responsibility from those who make them.

I mention Brexit because it gave us some of the most memorable examples of the behaviour I cite above. Do you remember hearing Michael Gove declaring that the British people had had enough of experts? That was his response (he was education secretary) to the warnings against Brexit by the Bank of England, the TUC and an overwhelming number of other informed people and organisations. Gove had told the people to “listen to your hearts”.

The reality everywhere is that many voters place most of their daily interest in football, soap operas, reality TV, their families or their jobs. Many of them have politics and political banter very, very low on their agenda.

That lowered state of engagement that people show in politics is what allows corrupt politicians to take hold and rake in the money. Why should I disrupt my life to stand in the way of some minister or prime minister who is taking a cut off every deal s/he signs in my name? Complacency almost always results in miscalculation. Yes, you should read the contract before you sign it. If you do not, should you really be surprised that there was a clause that came back to bite you when the deal went south?

When we do not take politics seriously, we pave the way for politicians to take us for a ride. Inevitably, they choose the destination that suits them and bag the most comfortable seats, leaving most of us hanging on for dear life. They fool us.

This year is probably election year and today is April Fool’s Day. Traditionally, the day is celebrated as being the day to play tricks. A custom that has been observed for hundreds of years with unknown origin. You won’t fall for it, right?

If you would like to put any questions to the two parties in Parliament send an e-mail marked clearly Question Time to editor@timesofmalta.com.