Glenn Beddingfield surely needs no introduction as a journalist and his appearances on television have made him quite well known. The Malta Independent on Sunday caught up with Glenn on Campus to ask him why he is contesting the EP elections

What were the main reasons that made you decide to contest the forthcoming European Parliament elections and what do you think are the main strengths you can bring to this campaign?

The main reason why I decided to contest was that I wanted to give something back to the country. I had received a lot from my country even before I was born through maternal social benefits and later from the health and education sectors. I now feel that this is the right moment for me to begin giving something back to the country of my birth. As everyone knows, I am a member of the Malta Labour Party and I feel

that through this party, I can work for the betterment of Malta through these European Parliament elections.

How do you view the political landscape at the moment a year after the general election and how do you see this campaign for the European Parliament both at a party and on a personal level?

This is my first campaign and I am enjoying it immensely. I have been meeting people from all walks of life and I realise that the Maltese people are learning what the European Parliament is all about and how the structures work. I believe that the Labour Party has a good chance to make a comeback after the recent electoral defeats. The Maltese electorate is slowly realising that all that was promised before the EU was simply a sham and the Labour Party had always warned about the negative effects of membership. Recently, I visited a family that had voted for the EU and for the PN in the past election and they were feeling the negative effects of EU membership as they have lost most of their small carpentry business due to foreign competition.

These people need to have a voice and the Labour Party can make sure that they are adequately represented in the European Parliament. We all know the candidates nominated by the government and know their political beliefs. I believe that Labour can make a significant contribution in the European Parliament as we will be on a level playing field.

You are a very popular person in the media. Do you believe that this will be advantageous to your campaign?

In the media you might be a household name but in actual fact you are just a face. You really need to meet the people to gauge their reaction. I have had days when I met over 200 families and it is only through personal contact that one can really experience the people’s feelings and opinions on certain issues. You can have loads of TV programmes and appearances, columns in newspapers and other media exposure but the real issue is meeting people face to face.

What do you think are your chances of getting elected and if you do, which are the areas in which you wish to work in?

I don’t really wish to speculate on my chances of election but I believe that we are all in the same race together. As regards my contribution I believe that the most important issues are the creation of work, competitivity and the environment, particularly air pollution. All political parties should work for the betterment of the country and the European Parliament should be the right vehicle for collective consensus.

Finally, what is your message to the electorate?

The electorate knows which party has always remained consistent vis-a-vis the EU and it has always been the Labour Party. I have nothing to offer but work, service and integrity and people know my views on every single issue. I am proud to be able to serve my country and hope to be the catalyst to work for Malta’s future and leave the country a better place for those who will come after us.