Of course there are many pressing issues on our national agenda which as yet have not been addressed properly.  People, irrespective of their political creed, instinctively raise their eyebrows in disbelief, annoyed, and worried with the growing number of loose ends which surfaced in the public domain thanks to the media.     

But it is the silly season and the lethargy it brings with it causes many to close one eye for the time being.  During a conference titled “Gvern li Jisma’” Dr Helena Dalli, Consumer Affairs, Civil Liberties and Social Dialogue Minister and Mr Silvio Parnis MP, the Chairman of the Consultative Council for the South, spoke about gender neutral bathrooms in order to cater for all needs in Paola.  It was reported that Minister Dalli said that “certain people find the current bathroom situation, simply men and women, very difficult.  While on the subject, Minister Dalli promised to create policies to make everybody’s lives more comfortable.  The promise is most welcome, but I have the impression that Ministers have more important responsibilities and pressing issues than devising gender neutral bathrooms.        

This news item was carried out on the state television.  Other news items were distressing.  None of them pleasant and have direct consequences on our political and socio-economic development.      

Brexit.  

Nigel Farage, UKIP far right leader, was jeered and booed by the European Parliament Members as he wasted his first opportunity after Brexit.  He delivered a non-inspiring speech, more similar to a tit-for-tat conversation between six year old boys and girls playing on swings. 'You were wrong. I was right.' he told sitting MEPs.  No wonder he was jeered and booed.

In another event the other pro-Brexit campaigner, the flamboyant Boris Johnson, hailed the opportunity for Britain to become more like Switzerland.  What he failed to mention was that Switzerland ranks far higher than the UK in competitiveness, connectedness and innovation, and has Treaties and economic ties across Europe which came to fruition after a long process of negotiations spanning on a good number of years.  Later in the week, Mr Johnson unceremoniously chickened out from the Conservative Party leader race.      

During the EU Prime Ministers Summit in Brussels, most of the screen shots of the smiles and embraces were decidedly weird.  It is crystal clear that Mr Cameron, in an effort to quell rebellion within his party, has sacrificed the very existence of United Kingdom.    His successor will have to face the music now.   It has already been made clear by the EU top echelons to Britain that the four freedoms are a sine qua none for the EU to give Britain access to the EU single market.  But as if this is not enough, the new Prime Minister will also have to face a request for independence from Scotland.  Scotland has immediately called for a new referendum on its independence from Britain, since most Scots favour their remaining within the EU, something the Brexit would deprive Scotland from.   

Negotiations on Britain's exit won't begin before a new Conservative Party leader is chosen, who at some stage will submit the withdrawal application from the EU.  Once Britain submits this application, the UK is cut out of the EU decision-making processes at the highest level and there will be no way back unless by unanimous consent by all other member states.   In the meantime, Britain will remain yearning for political and economic certainty and stability.

In this regard Professor Michael Dougan, a leading European Union law professor made an interesting point: "The Treaty specifies that within two years divorce settlement has to be reached but the divorce settlement is completely separate from the framework agreement for Britain’s future relations with the EU.  Although the Treaty identifies a two years divorce settlement, it has to be noted that the divorce settlement is completely separate from the framework agreement for future relations with the EU. This may take up to a decade.”

Turkey and Bangladeshi

Three suicide bombers killed at least 41, maimed and seriously injured more than 230 at Istanbul's Ataturk airport. The massacre, the work of the Islamic State, is the latest in a series of bombing attacks in Turkey and elsewhere.  Although the number of victims was less, equally vile was the attack at a coffee shop in Bangladeshi capital on Saturday.  Again, the Islamic State was responsible for this carnage.

Back to Malta

By the way, during the conference Minister Dalli made other comments, by far more important than the comfort of the toilets in Paola.  The Minister questioned whether it is time to change ‘civil union’ to ‘marriage’.   I do not have a hard and fast opinion on the issue, but I look at this issue from this perspective: EU partnership does not equate to membership as has been demonstrated with the Brexit.  The impact of such a change is not on the couple who may opt for one but not the other, but on society.     

Gejtu Vella

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