During the hot summer months political activities are reduced to the barest minimum possible, although this summer things may take a different twist. Summer is known as the silly season in media circles and is characterised by the publication of exaggerated or frivolous news stories. This summer, the new incumbents in government are upbeat, keeping people on their toes waiting for the unexpected. They are also keeping most of the newsrooms busy. Lately solidarity has taken new forms and quantities and is approached from different angles. Let me take you through some different forms of solidarity.
Solidarity One: The recent unorthodox public statements made by our Prime Minister, threatening that he will stomp his feet within the European Union structures should his plea about asylum seekers and immigrants go unnoticed are bold statements both in substance and content. I would be glad if I am proved wrong, but having our Prime Minister getting hot under the collar with his counterparts within the European Union, at this early stage in his tenure, may have an adverse effect on Malta in the long run. This knee jerk reaction shows many things which were not indicated in the PL promised road map, unless his recent statements were a slip of the tongue.
Our Prime Minister’s warning statement to the President of the EU Herman Van Rompuy about the use of the veto in the European Union speaks louder and volumes. It jarred. Terribly. As if this was not enough, our Prime Minister further spiced his comments by claiming that Malta would adopt a push back policy if necessary in the event that more irregular migrants reach Malta. Messing our internal economic and social affairs is bad enough, but risking Malta’s credentials and credibility within the European Union structures and other international organisations is a serious apprehension.
Solidarity Two: Much as the question is posed in various quarters about the future of Xarabank. There is no doubt that Xarabank is till now TVM’s leading discussion and entertainment programme and enjoys the highest number of audiences. Xarabank has been on the air for many years and has remained the most popular national television programme. Furthermore, Xarabank has encouraged its wide audiences to financially contribute towards various philanthropic institutions.
As a matter of fact, during the past recent months, various institutions benefitted from contributions made through this programme. Here are some numbers. Caritas received €182,000; Puttinu Cares €517,000; the Mission Fund Mission Fund €566,000; the Hospice Movement €194,000, and Dar il-Providenza over €200,000. These collections amounted to around €1,659,000.
An undeniable achievement for the Xarabank host, its producers and the production team involved. Like most things in life, one may like or dislike the programme. Many claim that they do not understand the presenter Peppi Azzopardi and the fast pace at which the programme is conducted. A sizeable portion of our community claims that Xarabank is biased towards the Nationalist Party. Equally, another portion of our society insists that the PL has suffered on many occasions from unfair treatment. I trust that this stance has now faded away and those holding this point of view can now relax and enjoy Xarabank without such prejudices or misconceptions. If anything, the result of the last general election proved otherwise. Xarabankdid not contribute towards the Nationalists Party; if anything the gap between the PN and PL grew wider. Xarabank reflects and represents the various grievances that people need to air and let off steam. Xarabank by be likened to a steaming and fuming kettle on the back burner. Xarabanka cknowledged this need within our society and managed to fulfil this obligation.
Solidarity Three: Norman Vella, the TVHemm presenter, had his deployment unceremoniously revoked and was returned to his substantive post within the civil service. Utilising and maximising the best abilities and maximising the potential of all civil service employees was a PL pre-election promise which included an audit of all employees within the civil service. In whichever case, Norman Vella should be properly informed why his secondment has been revoked. Who was behind this decision should come forward and give the reasons behind this transfer. So far, Norman has been denied an explanation. Perhaps this issue may have been motivated by someone who has an axe to grind with Norman’s father, a former GWU Section Secretary, rather than with Norman himself. By the way, Norman is not connected to my family as some may think due to our common surname.
Solidarity Four: The initiative and gesture which Claudio Grech PN MP has taken should be emulated by other Members of Parliament from both sides. He has set up a new philanthropic foundation by the name Save-A-Life which will be working closely with Caritas, New Hope Foundation and Puttinu Cares. To this end, he will contribute all his parliamentary honoraria which he is entitled to during this legislature. The first beneficiaries are St. Augustine Parish Church, the St. Joseph Band Club, the Hamrun Spartans FC and Valletta FC. These will receive financial assistance to improve their infrastructure and introduce various academic programmes the assist the underprivileged and people with social problems. This initiative is highly commendable. Hopefully, this initiative will encourage other MPs to follow in his footsteps.
Solidarity Five: Mr John Dalli, former PN star minister for many years followed by a short stint as EU Commissioner and recently appointed as advisor to the PL Minister responsible for Health, has once again made the headlines. Whether this is for a good and sufficient cause I will leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions. This time, news came from as far away as the Bahamas. I will not go into the multitude of issues in which his name has been involved, nor the number of conspiracies which he claims. That I will leave in the hands of the competent authorities to deal with and look into. What strikes me is the keen interest of John Dalli to set a philanthropic trust to create employment and develop sustainable farming, mining and energy businesses in Africa which can provide for the poor and less fortunate. I fail to understand one basic and fundamental element in this philanthropic issue however. What is so wrong with such an initiative, and why do so many people, from as far as the Bahamas, want John Dalli’s pound of flesh? Why the many heartless and cruel people, not only locally, within the European Union and now also on the other side of world, who continue to breathe down his neck? Is there maybe another side of this story which as yet has not been told?
For many, this summer will not be any different from the ones of previous years, give or take slightly higher or lower but nonetheless hot temperatures. Most will enjoy the silly season and a deserved break, away from the hustle and bustle. Others will huff and puff. For them it will be a long, hot summer. But not because of the soaring temperatures! This summer may yet take different twists and turns, while solidarity continues to be used or abused according to circumstances.
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