Fifteen months after a hard fought election, the nation was asked to vote on two other matters: the election of five – possibly six – members to the European Parliament; and one-third of the local councils.

For the EP elections, only 78 per cent of eligible voters turned out. While this constituted the third highest turnout in the European Union, about 70,000 voters stayed away; in spite of the European Union’s own efforts and the media bombardment by local parties.

A protest turnout?

The reasons for staying away are several, but two certainly stand out above the rest.

People wanted to send a message, making it clear that they did not want to vote and were prepared to do the same in a general election.

People were loudly and clearly saying “Xebbajtuna” – we have lost all faith in politics and politicians.

When one remembers that even in the last hard-fought election the turnout was the lowest in years, there seems to be an emerging trend that is gaining momentum and therefore demands to be analysed and addressed.

The first group may consist of those who are habitually sceptical about politicians and do not mind holding them to ransom: in other words their vote comes at a price.

The second group is the more serious one in all senses. It is serious because these abstaining voters constitute the real pulse of the nation. They are the ones who see politics in its true perspective. They do not see just red and blue, they are not card-carrying members of any of our main political tribes. They are the ones who think and reason and weigh matters until they reach a conclusion and then deliver their verdict. They have learnt to interpret political speech and they decide on substance. And the result of their cogitations is now being summed up in two words: “xebbajtuna u dejjaqtuna.”

What is worse is that these people see no alternatives. All politicians have been tarred by the same brush. People may not have wanted to vote blue or red, but neither did they choose to vote for small parties whose potential growth could be perceived as a threat by the larger parties. They just shied away, not interested any more. Has the “Xebbajtuna” sector grown to such an extent that they have even given up the protest vote? If that is so, then the situation is serious.

Politics endangered

It is serious because these are the people who really should be voting and probably the people who could elect a promising party to guide the nation. They are the people who matter in an election because they think outside the box, have a mind of their own, do not vote to sustain a grudge or for personal gain, and are the ones that vote with the common good in mind.

But with the number of “xebbajtuna” people staying away apparently growing, then the nation is in real turmoil. The politicians and the media are at fault for this. Watching local TV stations just churns your stomach. Not only because of the huge amount of the biased and cheap political content, which we conveniently describe as “pluralism” and “progress”, but also because of the low and divisive standard of the debates, news and commentaries.

I was surprised to read in a local ‘independent’ newspaper praise for the Labour Party’s political acuteness in fighting the EP campaign by focusing on local issues rather than on the responsibility that our MEPs carry and therefore the kind of people we should send to represent Malta. When one realises that these five or six have to protect the national (or is it party?) interest against another 730 MEPs from the remaining 26 countries doing the same, then one realises that in many ways, the fate of our people lies in the hands of these six MEPs.

Those old, familiar faces

Intriguingly enough, the same faces bar one, have been re-elected. Despite hurling abuse at each other, with each side giving the impression that the other side might only be there for the rich pickings, five of the six faces are familiar to us all. Promising youngsters were elbowed out. Candidates with experience of the EP were also left out.

Additionally, no paper has really bothered to debate what Malta stands to gain or lose from its European membership in the next five years. We do not discuss, we do not question, we just hope to get what we want by being subservient.

We obviously are very different from the Irish who used their “No” vote to ensure that their values are not tampered with. We, on the other hand, elected to play the good boys because, as Simon Busuttil pointed out, we would not otherwise have gained exemption from VAT on food and medicines that should come in next year. We chose to be “good”, to be rewarded with the crumbs from our masters’ table. The Irish chose to stall proceedings to negotiate what they want. They are a small country on the fringe of Europe, but they stuck to their guns. And they will get what they want; and will be respected for it. Malta’s colonial mentality is far from dead.

Local council elections

Following close on the EP election of course, were the local council elections, and again we went into cyberspace trying to find reasons to celebrate some sort of a victory.” Yes, maybe less than we expected or perhaps more” – that’s how it reads. It is all food for minds that are either unable to think or have been bludgeoned into not thinking. The fact remains that the same number of people – 70,000 of them – were still saying “dejjaqtuna”.

The value of dissent

This nation needs to take the right decisions. We need transparency in government because ideas get better when they are energetically poked and probed from all angles. Several times solutions can be found not just through discussion but also through dissention. We have seen profits exceed expectations because a dissenter interjected and expressed his doubts. Just remember that sky-high unemployment, inflation and a derailed economic policy during Jimmy Carter’s presidency was only caused by a yes-yes congressional majority.

We can improve matters if we decide to formulate a new approach by blending a good brew composed of right, left and centre. Diverse views can be made to come together in a powerful formula that provides every citizen with his dose of justice. Thoughtful debates can produce prosperity.

Embracing rather than shunning differing opinions will enlarge the spectrum of debate and conversation. The outcome will be more effective as it will create an acceptable central point. That’s how the EP works after all. A one-dogma rule leads to a downslide. Our government spends like a drunk in a liquor store and the Opposition promises to spend more, to give more. It all comes out of our pockets of course.

Let loose the entrepreneurial spirit

We therefore need to block further taxes and strive to create a climate that encourages those entrepreneurs who create our wealth.

The 70,000 or so who turned their backs on the last election might have done so to protest against irresponsible financial management. Surely that’s a good enough reason. But by closing itself inside the hard shell of power in Castile and blocking out the “noises off”, the government only serves to exacerbate the situation. Dissenters tend to come in very annoying packages, especially when a fog of incense and praise and nodding approval surrounds the seat of power.

Yes, we must reward the best ideas, the best initiatives, developments and innovations. We must give space for all voices to be really heard if we want to move forward. We have to keep in mind that, projections and plans apart, the success of any project that any entrepreneur embarks on relies heavily on his enthusiasm and faith in his vision. Dragging ones feet or putting all imaginable obstacles in the way will only quell such enthusiasm and kill the idea or project. This is the reason for the vast amount of capital leaving our shores to generate jobs elsewhere.

We tend to trample and denounce people who put forth unpopular views, rather than giving them a voice and listening, to try and unscramble their “queer” ideas and find the clue to what looks like an improbable project. We must force ourselves to tolerate the cranks that, deep down, have a passion and a love for their country. Laughing them off might make some feel superior, but the country loses out. We have to learn to listen, and to sift with intelligence, until we come to the core of one’s reasoning and ideas. Yes, there are people out there who care, who mean well, who matter.

I’m here. Are you there?

This country needs more bi-partisan debates. A loyal opposition and a receptive government will benefit the nation. Differing opinions are healthy. They must be welcome and seem to be so. The nation gains when ideas and opinions get full attention and are given their due.

Let’s embrace a different kind of leadership. Let’s reward our citizens’ love for their country. Let’s welcome and celebrate the return of the disillusioned, of the “imxebbejn”. Get the 70,000 on board Mr Prime Minister and change course now.

Yes, Mr Prime Minister, “Flimkien Kollox Possibbli”, is a powerful concept but only IF you mean it and put it into practice.

Dr Muscat is leader of Azzjoni Nazzjonali