I am writing before the no confidence motion in Government that the Opposition has moved.  The Prime Minister's failure to dismiss Minister Konrad Mizzi and his chief of staff Keith Schembri, both embroiled in the Panama scandal, has put Government in a very tight corner and Malta’s credibility in jeopardy.  Notwithstanding the fact that it is widely acknowledged that politicians are expected to uphold the highest degree of integrity of the office they hold, the PM’s inaction has dragged Malta’s reputation into disrepute.  

Writing before the debate takes place is a calculated risk, one that I am willing to take.  I will make some predictions.   During the marathon debate in the House, the Opposition will make persuasive arguments and exercise pressure with the hope that the PM takes his perverse decision from the deep freeze and do what he was expected to do since the Panama scandal broke.       

Undoubtedly Government will not be toppled but only badly bruised. The Nationalist Party no confidence vote will be defeated and Government, fresh from victory, would triumphantly carry on with its work.  But nothing would remain the same.    

Other than this, I do not envisage any dramatic shifts or drastic changes. Whether the debate would be enriching, inspiring or constructive is something which depends on many variables.  Hopefully, our politicians would steer away from comments such as those expressed by Minister Chris Cardona during the PL AGM.   

However, with certainty, pharmacists will be dispensing more throat lozenges than usual to our parliamentarians after a roaring debate in the House.   Other than this, no MP would be seeking medical assistance for injuries.         

The local media and the social media will be flooded with all sort of news and comments.  But after the House debate dies, the most important question to my mind is to what extent our political leaders and their respective groupings have managed to inspire the people.

Some leaders’ quotes come to mind in no particular order.  Admittedly I have a small sculpture of JFK in my library, thus he comes first to mind.  John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired millions with his historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country”.   President JFK won the 1960 election by a narrow margin to become the youngest President of the United States.

Mahatma Gandhi, unofficially called the father of the Nation, was the distinguished leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India.  Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom universally. “Nonviolence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed”, Gandhi echoed around the world.

Closer to home, Dom Mintoff concluded his paused speeches during mass meetings and public events with the quote “Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox”. 

“Is-sewwa jirbah zgur” was Eddie Fenech Adami’s mantra that inspired many during the turbulent years of the 1980s.  His quote remains inspirational, fresh and still used by his successors.

Unfortunately, the slogan “Malta Taghna Lkoll” turned out to be the antithesis of Joseph Muscat’s electoral promises.   

And then there’s the recent quote by Minister Cardona during the last PL’s AGM.  The quote is anything but far from unifying.  I thought Minister Cardona had a slip of the tongue when he said “If you hit us with a sword, we will hit you back with an axe”.  The Minister got carried away by his own rhetoric.  To be fair it is not unheard of for people in public life to get carried away and in the heat of the moment make comments which later they regret.  

That this politically-motivated comment jarred and was completely out of place is undeniable. However, even worse were Minister’s Cardona comments following the remarks by his fellow MP Mr Franco Mercieca made earlier in the House.  There should be no shame in withdrawing a politically insensitive comment, but Minister Cardona stood by his highly tactless comments. 

But Minister Cardona’s stand brought to my mind another inspiring quote, that by St. Augustine.  St. Augustine - a Christian theologian and philosopher, and the patron saint of brewers because of his earlier loose existence and sexual exploits - has become an inspiration to many who struggle to overcome a particular vice.  To quote St Augustine, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels”. 

One can easily understand that it would be too much to expect politicians to take advice from their political adversaries, but rubbishing sound guidance from a colleague says a lot.   

Gejtu Vella

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