The referendum on spring hunting has bestowed an unexpected opportunity on the country.  Not only do we get the chance to end the blight of killing birds on their migratory flight to breed and nest but we also have the power to deal a blow to corrupt practices, which remains an albatross around our country's neck.

Corruption is a tool in the hands of any politician, whether for personal gain or for creating the false perception that it exists or is carried out by a particular party or person.  The suspicion cast in alleging corruption is hard to fight and before the truth can emerge the damage is usually already done.  Unfortunately the idea that corruption is alive and kicking is reinforced.

Whether or not this remains the reason why here in Malta we live with the idea of corruption around us like a noon shadow, is not certain.  It could also be that the trickle down effect of corruption is something expected and accepted if not even encouraged by a swathe of the population.

Many people have come to see the hunting lobby as a massive interpretation of the political corruption that can ensue from a powerful group over the political parties.  Election time is a time when corruption is at its peak level.  The emergence of a political elite who believe in interest-oriented rather than nation-oriented programmes and policies is one cause of corruption.    Hunting of votes becomes rife.  The hunting lobby knows this well and have used it to their advantage for several times, perhaps never more so than the 2013 election. 

This means an ethical line has been crossed. Governments can't act freely and democracy can't function. Our trust in politicians is damaged. We can turn away from involvement with how we're governed. Then political corruption continues unchecked. 

But democracy has prevailed and the chance for a referendum on Spring hunting could be the voice not only on the very issue of hunting but also against the excessive power that any lobby could wager against national interests. 

For years now the country has been held back by the grip of the way that votes travel.  You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours and so on.  It can skew the economy, depress morale and activity, create imbalance and hinder progress radically.  It also creates an unsustainable dichotomy between the people and the government.  It is no surprise therefore, that the issue of spring hunting has emerged as the value that will challenge the prevalent culture, not only on protecting the species and our right to enjoy the countryside but also by defending our right to be free from minority rule and finding the solution to regressive lobbying practices.

In the minds of many people, the divisive issue between the two parties is their level of corruption.  This is unhealthy and patronises the people.  It is used as a distraction to be leveled against the opposing party or parties, whether founded or unfounded, and shows a very poor level of intellect and argument.  If any party or person has information about a bribe given or taken, or favour,  or common practice in the system that relies on patronage, then the case should be properly made in front of the authorities who should investigate and make known the report.  Otherwise, to keep the motor running simply by pressing the gas pedal every so often is never going to lead to any progress being made in Malta.

Take the fierce anti-corruption crackdown in China:  an insider tells his interviewer that a government job in China used to be a gravy train:  easy hours, little scrutiny and - usually - a chance to make good money through perks and corruption.  This year, though, the 1.4. million candidates who signed up to take China's civil service exam marked a drop of more than 100,000 from the previous year.  China's President Xi Jinping has made fighting corruption one of his top priorities. Naturally in a one party system, the best tool available for dealing with corruption is not an option and the prevalent culture can be seen as a legitimate practice, seeing as the people have no way of controlling the government.  But the fact is that even in China, they know the cost of corruption.

In democratic countries the people have learned to value their own opinion and trust their own judgement.  No need for political parties to dictate their voting preference or biased support.  In this respect, the people will lead the way.  Adversely, realizing the power of the people may put a brake on risks to be taken by political parties, which would also be detrimental.  The country wants political leaders who have courage and ideas but who are independent of pressures, whether from lobbies or the electorate and the success of an election or a legislature.  They also would like political parties to be honest and free of suspicion.  Ethical standards are known.  Anyone who does not wish to abide by them should be accountable.  Nothing but the complete transparency can serve to eliminate any trace of corruption.

In this regard, the lack of full disclosure of the high-level contracts for debate in Parliament can only continue adding to the mentality that the elite are privilege to entitlement. 

It would be a shame for Malta to remain hostage to the few who believe that the only thing that interests the population is their monthly income.  We may not be the best example of law abiding people but we hope that we have a sense of morality and of what is legitimate or not.  If we neglect to speak up for what is the minimum of respect for the electorate, then we become accomplices of a corrupt practice.  From some it is a system that brings praise and support, but for the leaders it brings shame and weakness.  I could say we deserve better than this, or I could say we know better than this.  But the truth is we should expect better than this.  Let the ballot speak.