In The Malta Independent on Sunday of 14 December, Prof. A. Cassola wrote about political vendettas.  I think political vendettas have been with us for quite a long time. In fact, for about the last 25 years vendetta has been a practised sport on the Nationalist Party (PN) tennis court.

Back in 1987 when the PN were returned to power, the new administration set up a commission against injustices suffered by PN supporters under past MLP legislations. It seems that this commission has done more harm than good, because since then one could not help but hear disillusioned PN supporters vow vendetta for their party's betrayal.

Over the years, this sour feeling towards the party gathered momentum. Many supporters and PN MPs criticised the undemocratic grip on the party by household names. Thanks to some lucky circumstances and MLP slips, the PN merely survived. Finally, in March 2013, came the humiliating vendetta upon the PN. Voters got fed up paying homage to their feudal lords at the Pieta glass castle. The loss of 36,000 votes and 4,000 ruined votes brought a strong sweet smell of an accomplished vendetta. Another 20,000 eligible voters lost credibility in our electoral system.

The amazing thing about the PN is that it still carries on with its stubborn ways in which there is no hint of internal compromise and unity. On the contrary, vendetta on those who disagree is rife. Considering that this is a party of a Catholic leaning and its despotic administration boasts of a Catholic upbringing, the bigoted PN became a political disgrace. Voters are not interested in supporting a PN that has vendetta on its agenda. 

The beneficiary of this whole PN mess is Dr Joseph Muscat. As the PN split situation is bound to linger, Dr Muscat can rest assured of another landslide victory, besides making good use of the PN's silverware.  

Back to Prof. Cassola who said that Dr Franco Debono should step aside because he is a divisive person. I absolutely do not endorse this opinion.  Dr Debono was proved right in his criticism of the PN. Dr Debono did great work updating law codes. So why does he have to step aside? For Dr Debono to step aside would amount to another vendetta scored by the PN.  I am sure that Prof. Cassola is in favour of a peaceful compromise rather than further conflicts. If the PN has truly learned the lesson from its defeat and wants to be reconciled with its lost sheep, then the PN should praise and acknowledge Dr Debono's contribution.

 

Michael Agius

St Paul's Bay