Ever since l964, the Maltese electorate was master in its own home. There is no gainsaying the fact that, as the saying goes, self-government is better than good government.

The Maltese people are responsible for their own destiny. In the course of the past half-century, there have been moments of turbulence, but we have managed to walk the democratic tightrope notwithstanding deep-rooted party political partisanship.

It took some time for Parliament to set up Standing Committees to facilitate its work, and to devolve a measure of authority to local councils. The emerging overall picture is an improvement over l964. But there is a lot left to be desired.

True democracy means government by consent – not command. It means government by discussion that recognises man’s rights without minimising his capacities. As John F. Kennedy once put it, “self- government requires qualities of self-denial and restraint” – which is not an outstanding Mediterranean virtue.

The fact of the matter is that we have developed a ‘winner-takes-all’ electoral set up, which spurs partisanship, and leads into temptation politicians covetous for power.

The arrogance of office tempts ambitious politicians to operate without transparency, and with sleight of hand. In turn, this offers unlimited possibilities to corrupt elements.

Our history of self-government is pockmarked with accusations, from both sides of the political divide, alleging abuse and irregularity, most of it to be lost, sooner or later, in the wash of heated verbosity.

This situation has evolved because, up to some time ago, Maltese civil society stood on the sidelines and the intellectual class kept aloof from the hoi polloi.

As a result, we fell short of a democracy for the people, by the people, and all the people. Ever since the last general election, many watched, not without embarrassment, the spectacle of a government, with a one-seat majority in the House, taking a series of decisions without as much as consulting Parliament, and in breach of its own electoral promises. The same government has solicited the Opposition’s cooperation with a view to concluding a pairing agreement in Parliament.

Malta’s parliamentary democracy needs shoring up, and the emergence of a significant floating vote suggests that the situation is ripe for change. It is for the electorate to choose whether to govern itself, or be governed. The electoral mood is that government is a trust and that ministers are trustees – and both the trust and the trustees are meant to be of service for the people. This is fortified by the conviction that the purpose of government is to see that the welfare and rights of the many are conserved in equal measure as the legitimate interests of the few.

These sentiments gained wider circulation since the emergence of Dr Joseph Muscat as Leader of the Opposition. To his credit, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi initially reacted positively, indicating that he had no difficulty discussing suggestions that would improve the way parliamentary democracy works in practice in these islands.

It was heartening to note that the spirit was willing, but the Maltese body politic has not been strong enough to be equal to the challenge.

Would it be wise to treat this subject as the exclusive preserve of the two political parties represented in the House and their elected politicians?

Would there be any harm if some eminent and qualified senior citizens were involved in such an exercise, which could conceivably continue if the going proves to be good?

Some of the outstanding issues calling for reform are urgent – such as the issue of party financing and the introduction of updated and modern identity cards. Time being of the essence, these issues need to be sorted out well ahead of the next general election.

Time will tell whether this inertia is a manifestation of fatigue and political senility or a deliberate and studied attempt to stonewall the march of progress.

In the final analysis, it is the sovereign electorate that will have to decide whether to govern itself or be governed – and the urge for change and forward movement seems to be gathering momentum.

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