Carnival politics

From the editorial of today's Malta Independent:

A suggestion included in a Malta Labour Party document saying that the Lm220 yearly bonus given to workers in four instalments should be removed has been taken by the Nationalist Party as being a proposal forming part of the MLP’s electoral manifesto. The denials made by the MLP that it is merely a suggestion that is up for discussion, and that the document in which it is included does not bind the MLP, seem to have fallen on deaf ears, as the PN has mounted a huge PR campaign on the matter...

There is no doubt that this kind of politics is not good for the country. It is understandable that political parties try to take advantage of any failings committed by their adversaries, but there are many controversies that could easily be avoided if more commonsense prevailed. After all, both have the interest of the nation at heart. It is the manner of achieving this that differs. Misquotations, misinterpretations and misunderstandings do not help the country to move forward.


'The politician as integrator' - In his monthly essay for the Malta Independent, the leader of the parliamentary opposition Alfred Sant says that politicians are best placed to ensure that projects for national development are run as an integrated and successful process