People in politics are answerable to the people they represent, respectful to the high institution they form part of and, undoubtedly, loyal to the principles of the party they belong to. Additionally, holding a role in Cabinet and being part of the country’s highest executive body, necessarily implies further personal following of one’s own commitment for those three basic values – answerable, respectful and loyal.
The whole concept comes to my mind each time I am in touch with persons in the two sectors entrusted to me, be they older persons, people with disabilities, their families, experts, carers and voluntary organisations. Likewise, it happens every time I touch base in my own constituency and speak with people I have known since childhood or those who became a constant through my professional or political services.
Both are effectively inter-related, besides being very frequent and regular in my day to day schedules. Having said that, life is such that sticking exclusively to my diary is near to impossible. More often than not it is a race against time and I have to make do with all possible means of communication. It is a case of availability, giving each and everyone their due importance. In the end, however, it is a matter of communicating – listening to, noting and understanding, and replying in time to endless messages and requests. It frequently transpires that people need explanations about proposed policies or decisions taken, as this should clear wrong perceptions that political or administrative issues are resolved in a haphazard or random manner.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
The issue on communications between politicians / governments and society, took prominence at the 46th British Isles and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Jersey this week. A number of sessions were held on the accessibility of governments and the role of the public in parliaments in the light of voter engagement and parliamentarians’ role in the social media.
Besides participating in the Steering Committee of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), I was also appointed rapporteur of the session that tackled voter engagement and parliaments and social media during the BIMR conference. As is customary at such international meetings, I availed myself of the opportunity to highlight the rights of people with disabilities to fully participate in these fields of communication, reiterating full accessibility and inclusion. I also discussed the benefits of intergenerational engagement and the ever-growing importance of active ageing and was very proud to announce that Malta is ranking third together with Sweden with regard to older people making use of the social media. This is the result obtained following a strong campaign, education and training of our older people.
The session delved into the interaction between parliaments and the social media – with the latter as a tool to engage the public and also as a source of direct and real time information on what is going on in Parliament and the work of parliamentarians. It transpired that for the message to go through, one cannot wait for the people to come to Parliament but needs to go where the people are, noting that today most people use social media.
Parliaments and the social media
According to data from the World e-Parliament Report 2012, one-third of parliaments are already present on social media and another third are planning to join them. Considering the potential for revitalizing public engagement in political discussion, we viewed the possibility of adopting a non-partisan manner and use interactive online tools, which is a major challenge for all institutions, but perhaps particularly so for parliaments. It can strengthen links between parliaments and citizens and thereby contribute to better dialogue and stronger democracies.
I reminded delegates of the Inter Parliamentary Union Social Media Guidelines for Parliamentarians which should be considered as a basic document. The guidelines draw on lessons learned by parliaments in recent years and on good practice in the social media sphere. Participants agreed that, after all, social media is just one tool in a toolbox, although an effective one with an incredible catchment potential.
Delegates shared their concern on a very current topic we brought up, namely personal attacks by anonymous bloggers or by fake account holders. It was recommended that BIMR should create a lobby to raise awareness about the need to balance criticism on politicians and protect them and their families from anonymous bloggers. It was also suggested to establish pre-determined boundaries between what is legally acceptable and what is legally harassing. Whatever the line of communication between parliamentarians and other citizens, there should always be mutual respect based on basic ethical norms. Exceeding such norms would lead to a break of mutual trust and disrupts the expected line of communication and dialogue.
Another bill for disability
Back home on Wednesday I was tasked with piloting the second reading of the Parking Concessions for Persons with Disability Bill. It was a pleasure introducing the debate with pointing out that the new law is the brainchild of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability and this guarantees that the rationale behind it will greatly benefit these people and their families.
For the first time, the newly created Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disability is directly involved to take charge of executing this new law and see to the issuing and administration of the Blue Badge. There are over 8,000 badge holders, but the new bill aims to reform the whole system and, contemporaneously, tackle the long-time problem of abuses. We mean to enforce such measures with heavier fines and other legal provisions to change the irresponsible mentality of whoever had grown used to abusing a right that actually belongs to real people with disabilities who have mobility challenges.
All relevant entities on board
During the consultation and preparatory stages of the proposed bill, the Parliamentary Secretariat worked closely with the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security, the KNPD itself, the Police, Transport Malta and the necessary medical advice. The end product will therefore be a legislative tool that is known and is fully support by all entities involved with retaining order and handle matters of traffic and transportation. Eventually, other entities will be roped in to adapt to new regulations relating to vehicular requirements for persons with disability in the locality. The Secretariat has also researched related practices in other EU countries and the new Blue Badge will be similar to that used in the EU, thus being valid both locally and abroad.
It is to be noted that the new bill will be supported by the Opposition, and I appreciated the constructive proposals made by various parliamentarians throughout the debate. I have in fact lauded this way of legislating together for the benefit of those who deserve the most support from the rest of the community. The bill itself is another link in the National Policy for Disability, which was formally launched less than a year ago, and is yet another leap forward in the Labour government’s determination to build a fair society!