There is something called 'ethics' which has become as rare as rocking horse crap.

It seems that we keep hearing of one alleged case after another of people mixing their professional, political, business and managerial roles with that of indulgence. 

People travelling here and there, intimate relationships between businesspersons and politicians and WhatsApp communications as if there is no tomorrow. During my radio show on 103 Malta's Heart, whilst interviewing Hon. Dr Jason Azzopardi MP, I wasn't so much rapt by the issues that were raised, but with the fact that there was so much wheeling and dealing going on in this Country right under our noses.

Politicians are an important breed. No, they are not a necessary evil but a necessity and yes, there are some good ones around. But, if we really want to recuperate our political class that went south and if this cohort wants to be taken seriously, we need to make some far-reaching vicissitudes, starting from here;

• Politicians should not be allowed to interact with the business community and the judiciary, whether it is for work or for play, unless it is publicly logged. If people cannot do without a pleasure-seeking lifestyle they should move on to a different career.
• Politicians should have a calling and aptitude - it's a vocation.
• Politicians should declare their investments, estate, money, bonds whatever they own (locally and abroad) and it is to be made known publicly.
• Politicians should not be involved in any role; consultants, chairpersons, board members with Government entities; and like magistrates and judges should not be allowed to be part of clubs, associations and organizations (or donate money and resources) even if on a voluntary basis.
• Politicians should be doubly checked and monitored when they are steering projects or services that are happening in their respective electoral district/s.
• Politicians should be elected on a national ticket and not through the districts model - let's change our electoral system as it favours benefaction.
• Politicians from all parties should be considered to form part of the Cabinet (probably not in my lifetime) - our resources are way too limited to do away with such valid contributors.Ok, let's start with the technocrats at least and get fresh new faces in the loop.
• Politicians should declare if any members of their family, immediate or not, are adherents of Authorities and Boards within the Government.
• Politicians should not use their children for profile-raising stunts.
• Politicians should be trained by their respective political party on how to make judgment calls.
• Politicians should not try to influence journalists, threaten or coerce. They should steer away from the media and shun trying to influence them. However, there should be mechanisms within IGM so that the latter would serve as mediators or arbitrators between parties.
• Politicians should declare who they have worked with in the last 10 years especially if they were linked to the business community.
• Politicians should not be allowed to contest elections for more than three times in their lifetime.
• Politicians should be scrutinized by the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life and this office together with the NAO and other entities should be given all the resources to operate and investigate. A step in the right direction would be to perform a due diligence process for all candidates contesting general elections.
• Politicians should listen to children and young people and whilst we are at it, a 16-year-old should be allowed to contest General Elections.
• Politicians should comply with an organized and structured lobbying procedure. Business persons choosing which part of the 'bay' (as they are sipping wine) they want should never be on the table.
• Politicians should be wholly dedicated to their work in Parliament as full-timers or else shove off.
• Politicians should have integrity and if not, political parties should dismiss them. They should govern principles of honesty and good moral standing.
• Politicians should never even come close to accepting gifts and favours of whatever form or shape.
• Politicians should leave the civil service and the administrative structures of the Country to rule and not get involved in permits, reserved parking bays and finding jobs for people through their 'customer care services' - another term for 'patronage'.
• Politicians who are implicated or named in corruption, dishonest behaviour or sleaze should be removed until their case has been heard.
• Politicians should focus on legislating. They should be dedicated to study and research and focus on debating and listening to the experts rather than behaving like buffoons and making impetuous decisions.
• Politicians should not be meeting in exclusive clubs and 'societies'.
• Politicians should not be led from their noses by the felonious establishment.
• Politicians should not be involved in appointing people on boards, especially decisive commissions and authorities. There should be a system whereby people apply and a panel sets out to choose according to competencies - it's called meritocracy and transparency!
• Politicians should be choosing people occupying key positions through a 2/3 majority.
• Politicians, those elected, should cease all involvement with their party of origin because once they are elected they are the ones that should be representing the community.
• Politicians should stop being populist and instead be true to the 'common good'.
• Politicians should reach out to the people rather than the other way around - they should be the ones washing the feet.

Most of the above applies to officials and people working in political parties.  

This Country cannot afford such a mess in our political class. I really hope that this proverbial bacchanalia between people in power ceases. We know how tricky, deceitful and scheming some people in power can be and we need to be vigilant.

There is something we call ethics that we need to bring back to the fold.

I hope that politics in our Country is returned to honourable persons and not portrayed by a 'folksy oratory', classist behaviour and flashy wealth.

I hope the segment of populist politicians change their ways.

I hope politics will no longer be dictated by hedonism, high-living and self-indulgence, but by an ideology founded on equity, fairness and justice rather than disparity and distinction.

I hope politics will steer away from corruption and sleaze.

I hope politics will bring in new political styles that reflect a desire to change and to help the poor, the vulnerable and those who have been side-lined.

I hope politicians will embrace the notion of social wellbeing.