Partit Demokratiku declares that the Nationalist and Labour Parties have left the Financing of Political Parties Act in the dustbin for months without any moves to fix it. It is urgent this Act be revised accordingly.

Some months ago, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Electoral Commission cannot be judge, jury and executioner when investigating the Nationalist Party's finances. Since that ruling, we have lacked an effective watchdog for party finances.

It is high time that Opposition Leader Adrian Delia walks like he talks when it comes to democracy. He has so far refused to honour giving what is due to Partit Demokratiku from the annual 100,000 Parliamentary beneficiary fund.

"Partit Demokratiku has long argued that the laws governing party financing must be updated. This goes beyond having an effective watchdog. Currently, our politicians are being legally bribed and controlled by lobbies and private interests. We need to take money out of politics by introducing state financing of political parties, so that the country can move past the systsm of clientelism and patronage. Partit Demokratiku had even proposed this to the Constitutional Steering Committee," states deputy leader Timothy Alden.

"The control over the political system itself by the two other parties in Parliament must be reduced. The Broadcasting Authority and Electoral Commission alike must  not be controlled by political party representatives. Likewise, political parties should not own their own television stations. We need new and neutral news and debate stations free from party domination, states leader Hon Dr Godfrey Farrugia.

Partit Demokratiku stands for what is fair and what is just, and wishes for people to have a real chance to make their voice heard, without needing to be rich or well connected to do so. We are for a democracy that is truly representative.