Writing in another newspaper, Lino Spiteri has queried the need for politicians to do the rounds of the party clubs in Malta’s towns and villages every Sunday to speak to the party faithful. As he pointed out, despite the fact that only a handful actually show up to listen to the MPs and the party leaders, what they say is dutifully reported the next day and picked up by the media throughout the week. In this way, politics is kept on the agenda and the electioneering never really stops.

This ritual seems particularly out of date these days, when there are so many other ways to reach the electorate. So one wonders how the Sunday morning kazin (club) circuit has withstood the test of time. The only explanation is that it keeps politicians in touch with what is colloquially referred to as the ‘grassroots’ of the respective parties; those fervent supporters who throw themselves passionately into canvassing to get their candidate elected. It is a chance to get up close and personal with the voters, much in the same way as home visits are considered crucial during an actual campaign. On their part, these supporters prefer to see and listen to their politicians in the flesh rather than hear second-hand accounts of what they said.

This whole tradition, of course, is very male oriented. The clubs tend to be frequented mostly by men who gather to knock back a few drinks while discussing their favourite subject: politics. The atmosphere is casual, sometimes raucous and definitely not female friendly. Although they are not officially ‘men only’ clubs, they might as well be.

Within this scenario, it is understandable how both parties find it so difficult to attract more female candidates to run for election. During election campaigns, the party clubs become the hub for many candidates where they can make themselves better known to their constituents, but one wonders just how many women really feel comfortable in this testosterone-charged atmosphere.

Apart from the clubs themselves, the very idea of spending Sunday morning drinking is not something most women have the time (never mind the inclination) to do. For, despite their profession, female politicians have to run a household as well. The men who are busy getting tipsy before lunchtime know that they will go home to find Sunday lunch ready for them when they get home. In contrast, few women have the luxury of someone else doing the cooking for them. They also want to give time and attention to their family.

Of course, there are male politicians who are not happy with this tradition either. Lino Spiteri in his article mentions that he used to refuse to join in the Sunday morning ritual, preferring to spend the time with his family instead. Perhaps if more men reasoned like he did, it would be an improvement all round.

After all, Sundays really should be a day of rest from politics, not only to give us a break from listening about it, but for the politicians themselves who deserve to enjoy family time as much as the rest of us.