In what can only be described as a desperate move, spindoctors and spindoctresses who form part of the strategy group or kitchen cabinet or whatever and who have hijacked the current Nationalist Party under gonzi-saliba’s leadership are desperately attempting at spinning the idea that a vote for Alternattiva Demokratika is a vote for Labour or a wasted vote or whatever comes to their thick minds.

Nothing can be as farther from truth itself. Alternattiva Demokratika deserves to win representation in Parliament because it has worked hard for it throughout the years. It would be winning it on its own steam and for its own merits not through default. It has consistently been with and sympathized with the people who were witness to an assault on their neighbourhood and its environment.

The Nationalist government has repeatedly ignored their laments and it is only late in the day that the Prime Minister recognised the disastrous impact many of his decisions or the inertia have had on what remains of our environment. Building regulations have been changed overnight over and over again, local plans have been butchered, development zones extended with the blunt excuse that such measure would bring a drop in property prices. Many people have had enough of this over-development. Their houses have been made to bear a perpetual darkness due to some new next-door development notwithstanding its being in a green area.

Quaint houses have been made to pave way for multi-storey development of some money-lustful developer and people have had to bear demolition and excavation works when they had made so much sacrifices to buy their own home in what they though would be a tranquil and quiet surrounding.

Should people forget and forgive all this because of the spinners’ desperate attempts? Should people forget the monstrosity that Mepa has transformed itself in; turning out to be mighty with the small and weak with the mighty? A friend of mine, who lives in Sliema, explained how she was pestered and intimidated in her own home for having shown an inclination to vote for AD, the Green Party in the forthcoming elections. Whoever paid her a visit, an influential party spinner, in doing so has strengthened her conviction that she won’t be deterred from voting for whichever party she deems it fit to deserve it.

She just wondered where this influential party member had been when over-development had defaced her neighbourhood and robbed her of the peacefulness that she had for so long wished for. I myself have given first preference to AD over and over again and surely do not consider in any way of having wasted my vote. Through my vote, even if in the past it had not managed to get AD a much deserved Parliamentary representation, I wanted to convey a clear message, that when I was summoned I stood up to be counted and this I have repeatedly done for what I believe in a healthier, brighter and greener future for my children and posterity.

Saviour Sammut

Safi