The last President of the ex-Soviet Union, Gorbachev, put a new word in the world’s dictionaries – ‘Glasnost’ or Openness. This buzzword along with others of similar meanings – words such as transparency and accountability became the battle cry that gave this government an overwhelming majority. It was anticipated partly because after years of sheer arrogance, common sense dictates that we open wide the windows to let the fresh breeze in and eradicate the mould, but also because the refreshing vigorous new leader coming from the Labour camp gave an indication by his slogans of Malta Taghna Lkoll and other clear intentions that he meant business. His charisma as well as the pleasant and amused expression on his face added points to his victory.
I personally at that time, though I did not vote Labour, felt regrettably annoyed for not being part of this change. With hindsight, I have no regrets. It did not take long before the cheerful aspect had to be sustained forcefully with a twist of the face when faced with the many inquisitive questions of his many ministerial wrongdoings. This government, which initially called itself a left-of-centre political party, has succeeded in the span of four years to transform itself into what Marx called the capitalists of his time, the Bourgeoisie. This leader of the so-called progressive movement assured us pre-election, that he would be an open book, receptive and accessible to all. Four years into this government, his transparency and zero tolerance not only never materialized but also purposely blotted their existence as if erased from the dictionary. The openness which was to usher a new way of making politics, a Perestroika, in Malta is still under lock and key at Castille behind closed doors. It is not in the public interest to reveal certain dealings which might embarrass. Certainly, there is an opening. It is called Favouritism, to welcome heartily those whose faces appeared on the billboards and those ‘hbieb tal hbieb’. This was anathema to this government when in Opposition and, having changed the colour to red is delightfully acceptable to settle his paybacks. Deplorable and reprehensible.
The English words ‘sincere and sincerity’ have their roots in the Latin words ‘sin cere’ literally meaning without wax. In ancient times, dishonest tradesmen would disguise their inferior pots by covering the cracks and blemishes with wax before selling them. On the outside, a pot would look perfect but as soon as hot water was poured into it, the wax melted and the pot began leaking. Comparing this analogy to our prime salesman who boasts about his achievements, one notices that the supposedly good quality pottery has been flawed from the beginning and is now leaking like a strainer. A modern definition of sincere implies an absence of deceit, pretence or hypocrisy and adherence to the simple unembellished truth. The spirit of deception which includes these degradable nouns mentioned above has sadly deceived half our nation. The clash and choice is between four years of political trickery and hopefully, future political honesty.
Francesco Simon Mercieca