Recent events in Malta have, through a series of displays of sub-culture, challenged the ordinary man in the street to confront his conscience and opinion on the state of affairs and aroused that instinctive sense of what's ethical and what isn't.
The Valletta Summit, knot and all, was meant in fact, to showcase the Prime Minister's place among world leaders, in particular the leaders of the EU and to counter the negative effect of the immigration policy as handled earlier on, while also distracting the media from other more internal affairs.
Only, having used the Summit as a platform, more than as a tool for tackling the immigration crises, turning the attention of the media and the country onto the superficial rather than the substantive, has opened the government up to criticism where it had thought to find praise.
Whether it was the six-tonne Knot of Marble in the wrong place, or the hugely embarrassing interpreter episode, or the Congo pick up and Renzi strolling casually towards the gate wondering whether the summit was actually taking place in Africa, people began to get a sense that something was 'not on'.
Maltese have, in the past couple of decades, become more self-aware and at the same time, very concerned about image, personal finances, jobs and opportunities. Maybe more travel has created that "grass is always greener" view or our ambitious nature has begun to overtake our patriotism. Values began to slide and selfish intentions assumed a right of their own, leading to eclipse the economic security of the country as against personal gain.
So, at the last election, when free rein was given to vain duplicity, Labour rode to power and straddled the country from north to south.
Fast forward to today and realisation has begun to set in that the prosperity, transparency and social good that was promised has not only not materialised for the large majority, but has actually put national good and quality of life under threat. That threat is not just financial, with all the thousands upon thousands being thrown about the place for an unworthy class of beneficiaries, but it is also an environmental and cultural one.
People's eyes are being opened as they see, on a daily basis, where their former beliefs and judgement have led them. Not only are the everyday issues - like traffic and security - coming to the forefront in an alarming way, but it is also the indifference with which people's concerns and expectations are being treated that raises huge doubts and insecurity. Not only, but it is also the cultural and political deficit which is becoming evident. Even an uneducated but honest person can see that what is being peddled around the squares and cities of Malta does not reflect our culture and values or our modern standards. It is too materialistic, too reminiscent of Labour's past and too disconnected to have any meaningful expression to the people. We had and hopefully, still maintain, some more pride in ourselves and in what we stand for.
It is not surprising at all, therefore, that one among the Labour Party has stood up and voiced her opinion in a decisive and consistent manner, choosing to break with the party, rather than stand by and allow the travesty to continue unchallenged. Time and again Marlene Farrugia tried to steer the party, with its triumphant chariots of fire, towards the politics that would protect the cultural and environmental heritage that were coming under risk of being lost to the country and its people. In the face of intransigence and a cultural deficit, she took the right decision to defend our heritage and most importantly, the environment. Someone had to spell it out and drive it home. The only reply coming out of Labour MPs when interviewed was "36,000." Only votes matter to this Cabinet. Principles are nothing to consider and can just be tossed aside.
There is, among people, an innate sense of culture and values, which, although having been wilfully set aside in favour of the individual, is beginning to rise again in reaction to what is taking place around us and a sure indication of this is the passion with which Marlene sought to explain the seriousness of what can follow the demerger of MEPA and its consequences and the lack of transparency on the part of the government.
Sure, we are not big on trees and rivers in Malta and every bit of soil is paved over and made into something on which you can pour Dettol, but when Sunday's day of rest comes along and the family pile into the truck or car, driving towards the fast-disappearing recreational area, they do not want to find some stranger sitting in their spot. (Incidentally, those wooden extensions that are being placed on the road are a health and safety risk, besides being hideous and an insult to pedestrians and only exacerbate the parking problem). They actually want some open air, some space, some territory to call their own to remind them of their childhood, lost family and the ties they have to this island they call home.
While sitting on the short and dry grass patch, with their thermos and model airplanes, they will also talk about the poor standards in politics and where it is heading. The "both sides did it" argument is beginning to wear a bit thin now. Possibly weighing up that the door to their hobby or son's job may be put at risk if they deviate from the fold, there is something more important that is tugging their conscience. That is national pride and identity. Maltese people fought side by side to defend this island and throughout the strife and clashes of the past, the motive was for the good of Malta. It is with ever-increasing concern, therefore, that we see this disconnect around us, from the people and what they really choose to be and have. Maybe they have been swayed by money and individual needs but coming together to protect our heritage is a beast that survives storms. Nature and culture trump concrete and megalomaniac power.
The atrocities in Paris added to the anxiety of many here who look for strong leadership and security management. Moreover, most people instinctively understand that sound politics, not displays of power, are what is needed most at this time. Issuing a statement to say that the PM ordered a review of security and threats, which seems to have been carried out in the space of a few hours, is hardly reassuring, especially when the public have so little information on what is actually taking place. We even wonder that the matter attracted some attention, since barely any thought was given to the opinions and recommendations of the Parliamentary Environmental Committee on Żonqor and MEPA or the calls for Ministers to resign in the face of what constitutes corruption or dishonour.
Into the mix come reports of such low standards of behaviour and self-respect from the elected representatives and their clique, that even a pat-onthe-back supporter can feel shamed and embarrassed.
This, one can say, is not what Maltese families want for their children. Job or no job. Permit or no permit.
As Europe, with France at its lead, not Germany, begins to wake up from the denial that it has been in over the past decade, we will get a good idea of what it is that imperils us most, even here at home - passing diversions or spelling it out.