From Mr M. Azzopardi

I write in full support of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s opinion piece “Settle down and read this, please”, (TMIS, 27 January).

The main thrust of her piece concerns the dire consequences that lie in wait for disgruntled Nationalist supporters should these, in a paroxysm of retributive lunacy, decide to switch their allegiance to a minority party in the forthcoming general election. Their ill-conceived gambit to elect a candidate from outside the traditional Nationalist/Labour ranks would stand as much chance of success as Alfred Sant has of metamorphosing into a statesman on becoming the next Prime Minister, although his elevation to the premiership is precisely what their egregious action would ensure.

It is remarkable that his only stint as Prime Minister, between 1996 and 1998, when he conspired to entwine the destiny of this nation so tightly with the fantasy world his mind inhabits, has all but disappeared from the collective memory of numerous prospective voters, abetted as they are by files of amnesic media correspondents who, in their misplaced zeal to promote change, are simply encouraging a return of the inept management of yesteryear.

Many are those who genuinely believe that, even if Dr Sant and his motley crew of fawning non-entities were somehow to succeed in securing power, national interests would be protected by the country’s EU membership. They are grossly mistaken. Although the EU does indeed have a wide remit to streamline cross-border policy and eliminate inconsistencies for the benefit of its member States in areas such as justice, foreign policy and security, primary responsibility for such activities as the provision of healthcare and education, as well as the levying of direct taxation, remains exclusively within the domain of each government.

Many more are those who believe that a vote for a minority party, such as Alternattiva Demokratika, would go a long way to eliminating the very real stench of clientelism that pervades the present administration. Sadly, it will not.

By casting their vote in this manner, all they will achieve is to hand over the mantle of power to Labour, the rabid supporters of which have long been salivating to indulge in a spot of clientelism of their own. The ineluctable truth is that politics and clientelism are inextricably linked the world over and no amount of wishful thinking is ever likely to change this relationship.

Ultimately, the choice for the electorate is to decide whom they would prefer to form the next government – Lawrence Gonzi or Alfred Sant – and vote accordingly. Dr Gonzi has been masterful in the management of the country’s economy and there is hardly any doubt that at no time in its history has our nation had it so good. Dr Sant, on the other hand, has been responsible for such harebrained schemes as Switzerland in the Mediterranean instead of EU membership, CET instead of VAT, apolitical local councils, the devaluation of the Malta lira – the list of raspberries appears endless.

There is only one sure way to kill two birds with one stone in the present scenario; only one way for disillusioned Nationalist supporters to have their cake and eat it - and this does not involve the casting of a protest vote in favour of Alternattiva Demokratika or Azzjoni Nazzjonali, or not voting at all.

At the end of every legislature, Cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries present themselves for re-election at the polls. On the basis of their record in government, they jostle with various newcomers of their own party for a seat in Parliament. There are many dogs for the same bone, many young and enthusiastic hopefuls, all aspiring to topple the established fraternity and secure a place in the House of Representatives. They may not have any parliamentary experience, but this should not be seen as an impediment, as it is hardly different for any of the members of the minority parties and most members of the Labour Party.

So, were you to suspect, for instance, that Jesmond Mugliett’s performance in Urban Development and Roads has been mired in scandal, George Pullicino’s in Rural Affairs and Environment has been marked by recalcitrance, Francis Zammit Dimech’s in Tourism and Culture has been plagued with indecisiveness, Tonio Borg’s in Justice and Home Affairs has been shrouded in piety and opportunism… or, if you feel that any Nationalist Member of Parliament has become unacceptably aloof, smug or conceited since taking office, just avoid giving them your first preference vote; in fact, avoid giving them your second, third or fourth.

Give your first preference vote, instead, to one of the new breed of Nationalist young guns that happens to take your fancy. Apart from sending out an unambiguous message to Cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries alike that their positions are by no means guaranteed, you may even be fortunate enough to help elect a new Nationalist Member of Parliament at the expense of an incumbent; and all this without having run the risk of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

Mark Azzopardi

BIRGUMA