Many perceive election results as a stream of figures, percentages, interpretations and the spin on those results. After a period of time, the dust settles and life continues as usual. However, does life continue as usual for everybody?

In the last local council elections, the Nationalist Party lost its majority in three localities, Pieta, Msida and San Gwann. In a democracy this is an eventuality that is possible and is always on the cards. It is the risk of the game and those who enter the competition must expect that down the road, there may be a disappointment and lack of success. I was mayor of Pieta` for 12 years and although I personally had a strong showing, my party failed to obtain a majority for a meagre 58 votes. It was only natural that I would be disappointed, and so were many others in my locality who supported the Nationalist Party. However, to be very sincere, my life continued irrespective of the fact that I no longer hold the office of mayor. The Monday following the elections I went to my legal office, as I normally do, and continued with my profession.

However, another reality is emerging following the change of majority in my locality and in the other two localities that suffered the same fate. The attitude of the Malta Labour Party in these localities is clear, unequivocal and uniform. They are out to change everything that is not Labour.

In San Gwann there was an attempt to annul the renewal of the executive secretary’s contract. In my locality, the new mayor had the audacity to present a motion in which he wants the executive secretary’s contract to be terminated. I am not going into the legal niceties of whether this is possible or not – the political lesson is received loud and clear. Never allow a place of responsibility to be in the hands of political hotheads.

The council executive secretary is not a political animal. He is an employee like any other employee and, like all other employees, he supports a family and has commitments like all other families in Malta and Gozo. However, the Labour mayor and councillors do not give two hoots about how their actions will affect this particular family. The only consideration they have is whether the executive secretary is a Labourite or not. This has had a devastating effect on the rest of the staff, who feel threatened and are well aware that the time may come when they will be politically discriminated against and kicked out. The council’s contractors are also concerned, because the livelihood of their families and of their employees’ families is under threat. The ripple effect is vast and goes beyond the same circle of employees in the Pieta` council.

The same new mayor had seconded and approved the motion for the renewal of the executive secretary’s contract in February 2005 and approved the motion for his performance bonus very recently under my mayorship.

Furthermore, one of the Labour councillors confided that she personally was against what was happening but was being forced to vote in favour of removing the executive secretary. Therefore, knowing these facts leads me to conclude that this is a policy which is being adopted and enforced by Labour Party headquarters.

Although the change in majority should merely mean a change in direction and policies, the harsh reality is that this affects the income of a number of people whose livelihood is being seriously threatened. This is unacceptable and my party will fight all forms of injustice, as it did in the past, in the dark ages of the 1970s and 1980s.

Voters are asked to vote and use their vote wisely. The individual voter is supreme in his or her choice and may even choose to abstain from visiting the polling booth. Undoubtedly, the voter has a right to protest against a party or the government and the messages sent are valid and useful in modern day politics. However, my experience in these few days of change, and the way I have seen partisan politics rear its ugly head, has made me ask the question of whether, as voters, we have a duty and a responsibility towards others. Should we vote only on personal issues or should we not also consider what is going on around us? By taking certain decisions in our voting pattern we could be adversely affecting the security that others enjoy through a responsible administration. As a politician I feel that we should hear what the people are saying at election time and receive any type of message the electorate may give.

However, it is also our duty to inform the public of what the risks are for themselves and for others, if they accidentally place irresponsible people in power after exercising their right to protest in elections.

These are the undeniable facts of what is taking place right now.

Malcolm Mifsud

President, College of Councillors of the Nationalist Party