From Mr J. Martinelli

It is safe to assume that an editorial is written to be read, understood, and, as one would expect that for the editor’s action there could be a considerable re-action.

Having read, with much interest the editorial of Sunday, 27 January, I could not help reacting to the statement that Malta quickly ratified the Rome Agreement “unanimously” by our local parliament, “that must have earned us plenty of brownie points in Brussels”.

Further on, the editor went on to say that the Lisbon Agreement is nothing but the Rome Agreement with an altered name. That being so, it presents a dilemma to the substance of the editor’s comments since, quite logically, if the Lisbon agreement is practically the same as the Rome one, then it follows that Malta should ratify the same agreement the second time “unanimously”. Using Ireland as an excuse to “consult the public” is actually telling us not to fall in the same trap.

Consulting with the public would be a valid exercise if the majority had the least inclination of reading the agreement and furthermore understand its implications.

Elections are held every five years after considerable debate and a party is elected after the voters, in their majority, decide that the new government is capable of safeguarding the nation’s interests.

It then follows that having elected a trustworthy government we let it govern and, in this case, if the Opposition is on the same side and votes with the government for the Lisbon agreement, what more consultation is indeed required?

What the editor implies here is that the voters are incapable of trusting the same government they had elected democratically.

I, as a voter, would be very offended.

Joe Martinelli

ONTARIO

CANADA