Although I have a different creed, I feel I must congratulate Dr Franco Debono for standing by his convictions, when he aired GonziPN’s dirty linen.

Indeed this was his solemn duty to those who entrusted him with their vote, to right reason and to himself. It is the novelty of the situation that must have came as a great shock to the conservatives, as they grope around their way around with blinkers on or wearing heavily tinted spectacles (if not both).

Regrettably, in the present days that are generally overrun by various species of spineless creatures, coming across a character who stands his ground is indeed a rarity. The man has valid arguments. These are worth considering and not to be dismissed lightly. His branching out and establishing his Partit Demokratiku Nazzjonalista is bound to enrich our democracy.

Any future government will be duty bound to consider his suggestion whereby fledging political parties are given the opportunity to be represented in Parliament, hence doing away with the present wastage of votes. A healthy parliament is one that provides ample room to the greatest diversity of opinions. Such a Parliament should faithfully reflect ALL the wishes expressed by the electorate without any distortion whatsoever. Hence, the ensuing discussion will make for a robust democracy.

We could easily do away with the present archaic system that provides for 13 Electoral Districts, to return 65 deputies − who are, on the whole, part-timers. I’m not aware of any other country where an MP’s quota is as low! For as few as 5000+ votes, one can get a comfortable seat with good prospects of a handsome pension to follow! It’s common knowledge that this system has failed us on innumerable occasions.

In this respect, I propose that the eligible voters be divided into three equal camps. For the sake of convenience and management, these can be called North, South and Central, which shouldn’t be such a problem in our age of computers. The electorate will be asked to return for a four-year term, not more than 33 full-time professional people’s representatives.

During their term of office, they must resign from all other commitments. Moreover, they will be precluded from any, direct or indirect, form of personal business thus safeguarding their integrity and minimising the chances of corruption, alleged or otherwise.

Furthermore, we might need to rethink and upgrade the role of President from the current pathetic form, at the beck and call of the Prime Minister, to that of Defender of the Constitution and True Parent to all citizens.

We might have to re-address the degree of Mandate given to any would-be future government, which should be in proportion to the result obtained at the polls. As we have regrettably learnt over the past few years, a marginal majority of 1000+ votes doesn’t give the victor the right to try driving the Opposition into the ground, or painting it black, or belittling it.

We might need to revise the way legislation is formulated and enacted with referenda, as realistic soundings of the people pulse, becoming more and more the order of the day.

I believe these suggestions of mine provide for a better world for us lesser mortals, considered, since time immemorial, as nothing better than expendable ballot-box fodder.

Ramon Borg-Bartolo