Let Silent Majority Speak

Not having an opinion is a lame excuse to exonerate one's indifference.

The decision by Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil to reveal their personal voting preference in the coming referendum on spring hunting will surely make it to our political history books. Such a decision does underline a historical convergence. Yet, the most crucial point is that this coming spring hunting referendum is not to be politicised as previous referendums had been.

Busuttil’s decision was not only consistent with his previous role during EU accession talks but also a bold one. My personal reading is that he knew very well that if he were to tag his personal view to the No campaign, the referendum would have ended up in a duel between him and Muscat. In such a scenario, many would have voted not according to their personal convictions but on the basis of political allegiances. Spin doctors on both sides of the political divide would drum up support for their respective leader to emerge as the winner and the most trusted leader. It would have been another power struggle between the two. Whilst Busuttil knew very well that his decision might irk some, he wanted the common good to prevail.

So, yes, his decision was bold and was the best thing that could happen. Once the political tension was ‘neutralised’, the spring hunting issue regained centre stage. Citizens from both political divides can now ‘freely’ express their preference without undue political pressure. This is truly historical and commendable. The coming spring hunting referendum is a golden opportunity for all citizens to stand up and be counted. I am always left bewildered when confronted by citizens who opt not to vote. Voting is a duty. By voting, one is expressing one’s sense of belonging to the community. Not voting is not an option for an active citizen. Staying home and not voting means excluding oneself from the decision-making process. Not having an opinion is a lame excuse to exonerate one’s indifference.

We are all called to take an active role in our community.

All issues social, economic, environmental, political and other – are areas of concerns for all. In a globalised world we cannot afford to be ‘closed in our small world mindset’. We are all encouraged to give our contribution to make our society a better place to live in and a more just society. We are all called to become protagonists of our present and builders of our future.

Through our vote, we are shaping not only today’s society but tomorrow’s society in which our children will grow to become tomorrow’s citizens. This might sound like some sort of electoral catchphrase but if one were to appreciate the implications and the responsibility of one’s vote, then one would take voting seriously. It is within this context that I have entered the political scene as a candidate for the next local council elections in St Julian’s. Through my candidacy, I want to be part of the present and a promoter of tomorrow. The facts that I read are that spring hunting is merely an exercise in killing over 11,000 of birds on their return from Africa. They would have survived the winter in Africa and would be returning to mainland Europe to breed and lay eggs, only to be possibly shot by about 10,000 Maltese hunters waiting for them. By this slaughter, these birds are further becoming a ‘conservation concern’.

Spring hunting is also an excuse to occupy public land by the few with the exclusion of others.

Hunting is permissible on almost 80 per cent of the Maltese countryside and, thus, this makes hunters (2.5 per cent of the general population) ‘occupy’ 80 per cent of our countryside and turn it into a no-go area. Spring season is the best time to enjoy a walk with one’s family in our countryside. Intimidation by some hunters is a common occurrence. Facts speak out louder.

With regard to talk being made that we should protect minority rights, this is another fallacious argument. Equating the killing of birds to other human rights is an insult to those minority groups struggling for recognition and acceptance. Trying to wrap all this up under the pretext of a so called ‘hobby’ is a non-starter. Hobbies are meant for enjoyment and relaxation but not to the determent of others, including birds.

This is my personal reading of the situation. One might disagree with my conclusion but, from where I stand, there is a silent majority, way above the 44,000 who signed the initial petition, that agrees that killing birds, in particular during spring, is not on and was never on. May the silent majority please stand up and stop this slaughter from propagating.

Be active citizens. The hour is now!

(This article was published on The Sunday Times of Malta – 9 March, 2015)