One distinctive feature that is embedded in this nation’s collective memory is our obsession with politicians for reasons that have been discussed countless times notably so in Professor Oliver Friggieri’s novel (2003), Fil-Parlament ma jikbrux fjuri. Probably it has always been like that, but this fixation bordering on mania with politics is really hitting a peak.

Whilst I do believe that being engaged as a community is a good thing, this country is starting to verge on the fanatical.  Every breadth we take we want to turn it into a national calamity and an ‘us-versus-them’.   

I do appreciate that politics, politicians and political parties are an essential component to ensure that our democracy functions and that such institutions are there to do the checking and the balancing.

But this last year has been absolutely horrific in terms of political squabbling and backbiting. 

The chatter being used is to say the least horrendous.  Some politicians are boorish towards each other and are dragging the diehard supporters to heave venom at the pjazza, on Facebook and in micro-blogging comment boards. 

Mind you, I am not saying that we shouldn’t be discussing politics vociferously and the clutter that politicians are responsible for.   What I contest is that every single issue has to become a predicament with a tone that is now reaching levels of ridicule and crookedness not seen for some time. 

The confrontation and ongoing altercation has really achieved unbearable levels.  The Speaker of the House has admonished the MPs and threatened to suspend the Representatives if this jesting continues to persist.  All of this is further heightened by the party media with the low-level, biased, imbalanced reporting when it comes to political matters. These newsrooms still think that they can take people for a ride by demonizing their adversaries. 

What is starting to worry me even more than the silly debates that at times emanate from Parliament is it that it all seems to be turning into a ‘Simon’ versus ‘Joseph’ travesty. 

Now whilst the Labour Party have finally retracted from the ‘Simon is the PN’s failure’ strategy, it seems to be the PN’s turn to aim their guns at Joseph Muscat and only stop short of refereeing to the prime minister as being corrupt. 

Maybe it was to be expected considering the tussle has become ‘so presidential’ and projecting the leader so crucial because political spin seems to dictate that ‘we’ get strength by belittling ‘our’ opponents. 

In fact this last year has been a non-stop mêlée on every level.  Whether it was the Mallia- Sheehan debacle or the Sai Mizzi work contract, the Gaffarena, Premier or the Zonqor issues, the alleged spying or the faulty concrete at Mater Dei Hospital - it was an all out quarrel. 

The way I see it, it’s not contesting the issues which is exasperating but the long-drawn campaign.   

I do understand that the Opposition’s role is to point to the shady issues and the responsibility of the government is to get things done.  However what they have in common is that both sides are answerable to the people and we just cannot have this ongoing ‘end of the world’ political wrangle. 

It is true we get politicians sticking their fingers up their noses or are half asleep as the HD Parliament TV cameras are panning. We do get politicians who go into bouts of hysterical tears, others that present the silliest of arguments and those verging on the fraudulent and corrupt. 

But we also get high caliber politicians who are focused on ‘the issue’ and are interested in advancing the agenda.  I’ve seen Parliamentary Secretaries doing sterling work, making drastic improvements and evolutionary transformations in their areas of responsibility without any fanfare.  I’ve seen politicians on the Opposition benches presenting alternatives and brilliant ideas some of which were also picked up by the government.

So yes there is mettle if we want to.

I believe that citizens are very clear on what type of politicians they need.

We need politicians who are not continually focused on their egos. Citizens need politicians that are less keen on posing in front of cameras and press conferences and more focused on making a positive impact.

We need politicians that are in line with their party’s agenda but don’t behave like robots, pressing the ‘yes’ button every time the great Leader opens his mouth. (Please note that politicians are expected to retain control of their mind even after they are elected).

We need politicians that provide leadership, prepare decent speeches, make arguments, challenge the government and Opposition and get civil society engaged. Decent politicians understand that the life of an individual is not a game; poverty, social exclusion, vulnerability, precarious employment are not issues that can be delayed any longer and as elected officials they need to find solutions that are morally grounded. 

We need politicians that understand that they are expected to go to Parliament not to listen to themselves talk but to take note of their colleagues, develop counter-proposals and find solutions.  Back, front, middle whatever bench they are seated in they should seek to develop their competencies. They should be masters in legislating and not simply press the button when the Speaker calls for a vote.

We need politicians to understand that they are there because we voted them in and that if they do not behave ethically, fail to subscribe to the same rules that they themselves enacted and try to bend backwards will get booted off and ejected.

I am sorry I have to say this, because most of the people who sit on those flashy green chairs on rails are friends and I respect them for taking the plunge into the political arena but this bickering and political climate is stomach-turning.

And what better way to end; “Jien ma hadd, la maghkom u lanqas maghhom. M’hemmx intom u huma ghalija.  Din distinzjoni antikwata hafna,  onorevoli.  Jien maghkom meta taghmlu t-tajjeb, u kontrikom meta tizbaljaw, u jien kontra l-ohrajn meta jaghmlu l-hazin, u maghhom meta huma tajbin….” (Fil-Parlament ma jikbrux fjuri, p. 199)