From Mr M. Alexander

I have been reading Daphne’s column for many years. Many months back I enjoyed some of her witty commentaries. I even used some of them in my book People and Places. I am still a fan of hers despite some changes in her attitude, especially her tirades against the possibility of a third party in Malta’s present electoral system.

And a third party, which could be – heaven forbid – Alternattiva Demokratika. I do not share her fears. Real democracy is a pluralistic mechanism. With only one or two parties there will always be a minority of voters having different ideas and wishes who are left out.

Why is she afraid?

Gonzi and Sant on the one hand and now Harry Vassallo knocking at the door? So what? The two-party system has long been running out, for years now, even in the “Mother of Democracy”, the British Parliament. Across European countries, the legal profession, teachers, academics, self-employed and NGOs have bravely pressed for pluralism. Democracy has always been a servant of liberty. Younger, more urbanised and better educated women and men have developed a growing consensus for the preposition that social justice and economic progress require political freedom and, especially, multi-party competition.

The Election Committee in Malta is thinking that 7.5 per cent of votes should be needed to get a party a seat in Parliament – a step in the right direction, but in countries of the European Union only five per cent are needed.

I am looking forward to the breath of fresh air of AD. And as for Daphne’s future columns. I am still a fan, but lately with some slight hesitation.

Michael Alexander

TA’XBIEX