From Mr R. de Bono

Some time ago there was an article in the media on Mr George Pullicino (Minister for the Environment) who was quoted as saying that he tries to save electricity in his home because the production of “wasted” electricity causes unnecessary pollution.

I cannot vote for him in the election; anyway this will be published after the election but there is a lot to be admired in this man. The words “ a lot” can mean many things, so some people may smile at the choice of words used. Luckily, even Mr Pullicino may smile at the choice of words; in fact he is one of the very, very few MPs who can crack a joke in Parliament even about himself. Parliament should not be considered as a “Battle Zone” but as the highest and most respected institution, therefore witty jokes should be encouraged, not feared.

Mr Pullicino is on record as having reacted with humour when he was being criticised.

During a debate on one of his “Bills”, he accepted the criticism, and responsibility, that it was not perfect. He admitted that it had so many large loopholes that even he could pass through them. This is what this country needs desperately, an outsized dose of humour. We seem to have lost it, temporarily (?) in our greed for power and money. If the space we wish is smaller than what is possible, it can be made much bigger just by our attitude towards life.

A huge “Well Done” is extended, in advance, to any future MP who can guide us on this road. We choose our MPs freely because they promise that they have the country (us) at heart. They have to choose and keep their promise – humour is not expensive; and it does bring many people together, irrespective of their political prejudices. Malta is not the centre of the universe, let alone our petty politics.

Reggie de Bono