So Mr Polidano took umbrage at being called a baron. In neighbouring Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, of whom I am far from being a fan, has to put up with scathing criticism from all quarters of the press in his own country as well as abroad, not to mention the countless court trials he has to face. Imagine if he had to slap or “push”, as he claims, a columnist for writing disapproving articles. It would, at a minimum, make him the laughing stock of the country.

In servile Malta, some people are perhaps ready to justify his chauvinism by arguing provocation, forgetting that people must first and foremost exercise self-restraint, something that should not be too difficult for a man of his ripe age and power. Poor Mr Polidano, how sorry we all feel for him for being victimised!

If Mr Polidano really thinks he is God's gift to the Maltese economy he would be very surprised to hear how unappreciative the small talk of common people can be in the shops, offices and squares of this poor banana republic. What would he do to us were he to be its dictator?

The reality, and he knows it, is that in Malta there is no law on public financing of political parties, and this is what gives disproportionate power to people like him who, under different circumstances and outside the Maltese context, would become just another (possibly) successful businessman.

In Milan Mr Berlusconi had one party to help him in his successes, the now defunct Partito Socialista Italiano. Here in Malta Mr Polidano has a lot more than that.

Alex Borg

ST JULIAN’S