Again I find myself wanting to respond to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s article about smart or not so smart politicians. I refer to her opinion column, published on 3 November, entitled ‘Not as smart as we thought they were’.

I think many of your readers would agree that many of Dr Debono’s constituents are in full agreement with his actions. I also think that there are many Nationalists who agree with his actions. This is a matter of principle. His “painting himself into a corner” as Mrs Caruana Galizia puts it,   would have been duly considered. Politicians consider their actions very closely prior to acting. This is democracy in action. The Westminster system of government, which Malta has, is not about political parties but all about individual MPs voting on issues. 

I refer your readers to the recent vote in the UK parliament when a significant number of Tory MPs voted directly against their own party on a very big issue – the current Tory government’s stated policy on Europe.

Irrespective of the issue, this is a fine example that Malta’s democratic credentials have matured to a stage where some MPs are thinking about issues first and political party second. Malta’s political environment has evolved to a point where MPs are publicly questioning their own parties’ policies. And so it should be. Dr Pullicino Orlando’s recent action prior to and during the divorce debate is another fine example. I congratulate Dr Debono and Dr Pullicino Orlando on their positions. I think they are both very bright. There should be more of it. Not only are they both bright, in my view they are also quite courageous. The vindictive personal attacks towards both of them, by Mrs Caruana Galizia and others would have been predictable – almost guaranteed, I would suggest. On a related matter I think most would agree that Joseph Muscat and Franco Debono have both moved on since their high school days. Mrs Caruana Galizia’s attempt to weave this story into some school boy competition which still lingers, reflects her own childish position on life and hence her immaturity. I have been surprised at the constant adulation she receives from her followers on her blog about how bright and smart she is. Suddenly it dawned on me – they must all think like she does.

■ Raphael Dingli

Australia