Chameleon politics

My last recollection of the divorce debate was all about Lawrence Gonzi stating, in no uncertain terms, that principles were negotiable. That sounded strong for someone like Gonzi.

Principles and loyalty are often confused, just like abortion and divorce tend to be.

So convinced was he of his principles that we spent weeks confronting each other over divorce and wasting precious time and money.

He has said it was a matter of credibility and consistency that he opposed divorce.

But Gonzi, as we know, can get away with murder.

Well, those of you who had nothing better to do with your lives should read the new set of principles laid out but the PN and presented as fait accompli to the councillors last Friday.

It talks of respects for gays, and that we should not tell people how to live their lives. Conservative diehards Edwin Vassallo, Jason Azzopardi, Beppe Fenech Adami and of course Austin Gatt must be wondering what hit them. Then again, they will find the right words to camouflage this gigantic volte-face with their amazing riposte that only a moron would swallow and digest.

But then like all 'good politicians' very well know, hypocrisy is part of the politician's DNA.

With all due respect to Paul Borg Olivier, no one really gives a toss what Lawrence Gonzi or Joseph Muscat have to say. People live their lives according to their own wishes. And good for them.

Can you imagine what the core Nationalist voter would say if they got as far as reading the principles?

But this volte-face is proof that the Nationalist party has this great ability to embrace change shamelessly and win brownie points each time it does.

It is perhaps the greatest vocation of the PN to do a roundabout turn, and laugh in your face and expect anyone or everyone to tell it 'thank you'.

The new principles declare that the Nationalist party is not a confessional party - Which is the perhaps the greatest achievement for those, who in the party feel that the people at the top have been detached from the real Malta.

What happens next?

Well, the PN is preparing for the next election. It is willing to do everything to win.  Selling its soul is also on the agenda.

Friday's new declaration of principles proves that if there was a soul, it ain't what we thought it was. In the past 25 years, the PN opened up new opportunities to Malta and Maltese, but at the same time it imposed a nepotistic form of democracy captained by the desire to win elections.

It has done this for 25 years, establishing an order that has imposed a political blueprint that is fundamentally one-sided.

It did this by buying people's support, through appointments, favours and buy-outs.

The Mintoffian corruption and political incorrectness pervasive before 1987 continued, but this time it was dished out by men in dark suits and blue ties with smiling faces and cuddly looks.

***

If political bickering has no boundaries and colour or creed, the real reason for this is because none of the political leaders have the vision to say it as it is.

When a Labour councillor - a certain Mazzitelli - was reprimanded by the party after a serious of police investigations, the first thing that happened after he was asked to leave was for Mr Mazzitelli to end up on the front page of In-Nazzjon and on NET News.

He was portrayed as some kind of hero, a victim under the hand's of Toni Abela who conveniently is illustrated as 'old Labour'.

Like others before him, the villain became the victim, and instead of applauding those political decisions which confront corruption, political parties have tried to gain political mileage.

'The Mazzitelli Syndrome' is not limited to the Nationalist spin machine, but perhaps in between his tea breaks with Edgar Galea Curmi, Prime Lawrence Gonzi could phone Dr Joseph Muscat to suggest that, when it comes to matters such as these at least, they are in agreement.

Needless to say, this will not happen.

And as we have seen in the past, both political parties refuse to put reason before their lust to score political points.

And on the eve of a dirty political campaign, reason is the last consideration on their minds. 

***

12 years ago, MaltaToday was launched. Yes, it 12 years old, and looking back one wonders whether things have really changed.

Setting up a newspaper is no mean feat, the man hours added together to make a newspaper happen cannot be reasonably calculated.

There is no such thing as a 40-hour week with a newspaper.

The stories and analysis that appeared in MaltaToday over 12 years was the result of lengthy discussions and debates in the lively, free-for-all editorial meetings. 

Journalism can be fun and is challenging, but it is stressful, family unfriendly and disrespectful to others. It earns you a reputation, but not many friends.

If I had to rewind, I would have preferred to have chosen a different profession. But after 25 years in journalism and 12 years at MaltaToday, I do not think there is any turning back.

In no small way, we have contributed to changing people's mindset and catalysing change. We have, as one good friend suggests, served as agenda setters.

All this would not have happened without the support of the journalists who have and continue to work at MaltaToday and the readers and advertisers who support this newspaper.

This project is all about serving as the fourth estate. In a world where politics and politicians are more of a liability than ever before, the forth estate could well turn out to be the solution to a new form of democracy.