The game of politics in the fictitious state of Atlam is played pretty much like a game of football: a game played between just two teams – the reds and the blues. There are daily encounters between the two. And every day, regardless of the real score or outcome, the respective fans leave thinking that “they” won the game once again.

The political opium pumped out by very large media machines over the spectators' heads can be smelt throughout the whole stadium. It is a very powerful anaesthetic. It is unavoidable. It dulls the thought processes completely, blurs reality into the sublime. The feel-good factor kicks in. and the spectators simply fall into a stupefied state allowing the players to break any rule they wish.

The politicians make up the rules as they go along. Often, they totally ignore the most important rules of the land. Other times they cry foul and roll on the ground with more deft theatrics than Juventus or Fiorentina. Even though they are repeatedly guilty of breaking the very same laws as and when it suits them personally! In short, whatever they, the chosen few making up the oligarchy class, deem fit to decide, are the rules of the game. The voters sit there obediently, even if it hits them hard. Regardless and above all, there is always that one golden rule – To win the game by all means and at any cost (to the public).

Drugged and stupefied for so long, the supporters are accustomed to treat all the politicians as... Gods. Higher even, forgetting that in reality they are nothing but mere prime servants of the people and the country. Gods who are there to whimsically grant voters a favour or two if they pray hard enough and sacrifice at the altar of the Party. The supporters are now so faithful to the chosen and to the new religion, that no matter what foul or dirty trick their party does, the other party’s fouls and tricks are always dirtier, justifying all real bad behaviour and harm. Making it all perfectly acceptable. Normal and to be expected, even.

Real morals, identity, and values – something that the people of Atlam were renowned for and once very proud of – no longer have a place in Atlam politics. Looking after the people’s basic needs, decent living standards both physical and spiritual (and a content man is made up of an equal balance of these!) are just no longer important.

“Jehtieg bidla fil valuri, kultura u l-identita” wafts through the opium machines. 

After all, to rule once again is “their God-given right”, by any means and at any cost (to the public). It all comes way above the individual’s rights and the supporters are just there as a means for the political class and relative oligarchy to become richer, fatter and even hungrier than before.

No choice given to the voter. No clear direction. No differing policies to analyse and decide upon. Pre-election glossy booklets are the new Bible. Promises are made to be broken. Sell the concept of a ‘new beginning’, beg humbly for forgiveness for ‘past sins’ and endless promises of a “new direction”. Putting on theatrics is key and wafting more media-opium into the air for all to get high on.

The last election in Malta resulted in the Nationalist Party being awarded the biggest drubbing in its history because it was acting exactly on the lines of the above Atlam scenario. Equally, the Liberals now running the PL and our country are also acting in the same fashion. It is their divine right and who are we to question?

Well, I question! And I conclude that this is totally unacceptable from both of them. Finally, the supporters from both parties are clearly and openly standing up to the arrogance and bullies. To be counted against them both. And the feeling is very good, much better than the opium, in fact.

Of course, we’ve been there before only to see the opium and the morsels do their magic come election time. But this time, this time it seems and feels... different.

The perfect storm seems to be brewing. It’s on everyone’s lips. Malta needs a third viable party. No doubt it does and these words are being heard louder and louder through the mist of Malta’s opium clouds!

So yes, to those who have asked us to do so, let me be very clear on Alleanza Party’s stand with regard to the present Panamagate and more.  It is simple and decent. We expect the Prime Minister to do the right thing, stop dithering and ask for resignations that are clearly required for proper governance.

Will Alleanza Bidla Party be joining the PN in its national demonstration against corruption this afternoon?

We want to tell our Prime Minister and his cronies most directly to clean up their act or move on. But we do not want to curry any favour with the PN itself and join ITS (not National) demonstration.

Alleanza represents those Nationalists and Laburisti who do not feel comfortable in the PN or the liberal PL and no longer feel represented by liberal PL or liberal PN. The Maltese people deserve much, much better representation than the present/past administrations and the bad governance of the last two years.

Alleanza Party does not need PN demonstrations to stand up for a better Malta that we all deserve.

But... through this demonstration the PN has a truly golden opportunity which we feel it should not miss if it wishes to regain some credibility that it has lost in a big way. It is an opportunity to show much maturity and start the process to break the two-party political mould that is just not serving Malta well. The PN can show that it is not back to its old tricks. Not just blurting out mere words in order to attack the liberals running PL. But that the PN truly wants to turn a new page in Maltese politics that represents and serves the people better. Instead of using the Alleanza Party and others for its own propaganda, the PN should think way beyond this fact and seize the chance to start a proper and mature dialogue with us.

To show that when it comes to Malta, it will leave no democratic stone unturned.

Alleanza Party is offering an alternative way of doing politics which ensures more democracy and more accountability than what is being offered to Malta today.

It is not too late therefore for the PN to invite other parties to also address the public rather than make it a PN-only activity but “with others supporting it”. To make our discontent heard too. We have put this suggestion directly to the PN several times and so far it has been rejected. It is not too late. If accepted, we shall represent those who the PN does not represent.

We offer once again our presence in a national (not PN) demonstration to testify that our hand is out to anyone who is willing to take it, listen to us and work with us for a better Malta, whoever they are.

Will our hand be ignored and the whole of today’s activity be seen as just another one for scoring points for the PN – a clear sign that nothing has really changed? Or will the PN take up our offer so that Maltese voters can be offered real alternatives and a better way to having the country run as per their wishes and aspirations?

Which is, after all, what real democracy is all about.