‘A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.’ This Chinese proverb illustrates the moment we are living as a country. In a few weeks’ time we will be called to cast our vote in the first ever abrogative referendum to be held in Malta.
The electorate is being asked to vote for or against the derogation on spring hunting, which Malta successfully negotiated with the European Union prior to our accession in 2004. Both Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil were asked on how they intend to vote. Dr Muscat, in his usual autocratic manner, replied immediately. His abrupt reply manifests the way he has monopolised the Labour party. Dr Muscat and the Labour Party have become one voice. Contrastingly, Dr Busuttil, as the leader of the Nationalist party, before answering, consulted with the party. This is the mark of a democratic leader and of a true gentleman. Dr Busuttil has now revealed that he will be voting to keep the derogation, which he himself had negotiated with the European Commission. At that time, the Labour Party, with its usual scaremongering tactics, was telling hunters that if Malta were to join the EU, spring hunting would be abolished. Dr Busuttil is a man of his word. He feels morally bound to vote for the derogation that he himself negotiated with the EU, in the name of consistency. This derogation was voted for in the referendum of 2003, and one may argue that it should take another referendum to undo or reinforce.
However, Dr Busuttil has asked each and every one of us to vote wisely, in accordance with our beliefs. This is because the PN believes in people and empowers them to think and decide for themselves. The PN, through Dr Busuttil, is encouraging the electorate to vote with its own mind. This is what the PN stands for - a party that respects people’s intelligence and judgment. I can vouch for this with my own personal experience. I lived this first hand, when during the last election campaign, throughout the programme I used to present, Qalb in-Nies and significantly on the very last night of the campaign, at Taht it-Tinda, when I was asked to intervene and to give the PN my endorsement. At no point was I ever approached by the party to have ideas imposed on me or to coach me on what to say. The party trusted me completely. And this is what Dr Busuttil is doing right now. He is reminding us that the party abides by its democratic credentials. The very fact that this referendum is being held is thanks to the Nationalist Party. This kind of referendum was introduced by a Nationalist Government, which has always believed in true democracy. On the other hand, the present Labour government is not comfortable with this referendum, because Labour’s only interest is to hunt for the hunters’ votes and to use the hunters and their families, as it has done in the past years.
Spring hunting is not, and should not, be about politics. One must distinguish between issues where the party needs to have a vision and to use all its persuasive and constructive arguments to gain the support of its people, such as the referendum on the entry to the EU and other issues, which may be subjective. While many can argue that hunting is a hobby that dates back thousands of years, and that one has to right to preserve it, there is also the argument that as we evolve, we are becoming more nature-conscious and aware that we need to conserve our environment and vulnerable creatures, unless we want to risk extinction of natural land and certain species.
The divergence in opinion, even within the same party, is a healthy sign of a true democracy.
We have the liberty of choosing if we want to conserve certain species and abolish spring hunting or if we want to preserve spring hunting. This is the reason why I shall be voting to repeal the derogation. It is a choice on sustainability. Personally, I believe that we need to move on and strive harder in all aspects for a sustainable environment. I feel comfortable voting in this way because the party has given me a free choice. My voice is not an echo of other voices. I take comfort in the fact that within the Nationalist Party, each individual voice is respected and valued.
Dr Busuttil has promised that he will respect the decision of the people in the referendum. But most importantly, Dr Busuttil has full confidence in our ability to decide wisely.