Your vote is your voice

Politics is not about 'me' but about 'us'. Politics is about promoting and safeguarding the common good.

Recently, Graffiti activists camped outside the office of the Planning Authority. Once more they voiced their dismay that the environment is being systemically degenerated and abused by a number of greedy ‘developers’. The Graffiti movement is not alone.

Many other environment-sensitive citizens, including myself and a number of respectable NGOs are greatly concerned at the rate of this ongoing degeneration.

Sadly, our island is turning into one big ugly construction site.

Although peaceful and non-violent protests are commendable to exercise pressure, and ought to be encouraged as part of our democratic credentials, sadly, spelling it out bluntly, protests on their own do not bring the desired radical change. Protests must and ought to be complemented by a firm political determination, which includes casting one’s vote.

In our democratic political landscape, it is only through our political vote/involvement that change can be achieved. All recent and non-recent reforms/laws were achieved only because pressure groups realised that it was not enough to bang pots and pans or disrupt meetings, but necessary to forge political allegiances.

A classic example, an adverse one but still an example, is the amity which the MDA shares with the current Labour government, turning the latter into a fine enabler.

Thus, I firmly hold that whatever change we envisage, can only be realized through our political democratic channels, commencing with our vote. This explains my personal involvement in the political fray. I entered politics to be the change I want to see.

For many, politics has negative connotations. It brings bad images of degenerated governance. For others, the term ‘politicians’ is associated with power trips, inflated egos, narcissistic behaviour, opportunism, corruption and arrogance. This is the dark side of politics.

Sadly some politicians have dishonoured the noble art of politics and turned themselves into a liability, not only to the party they militate for but to the whole political class. Sadly, they tarnished the call to be a ‘man and woman for others’.

On the contrary, politics is about empowering people, in particular the vulnerable, enabling them to go through their daily lives with dignity and reassurance. Politics is not about ‘me’ but about ‘us’. Politics is about promoting and safeguard- ing the common good.

The prevalent situation is not only lead- ing to a brain drain of potential future politicians but is contributing to an unprecedented level of mistrust and fatigue of honest citizens.

Many, in particular young voters, are tired of the current political set-up. They can’t be bothered to care. Although the 16- year-olds may be enthusiastic about cast- ing their vote for the first time, the 18/30- year-olds are not that thrilled. On the contrary, this core group is rather indifferent, disconnected and has lost all trust.

We may be experiencing a generation which is moving away from an engagement with formal political structures. Their everyday life and issues are slowly, but increasingly, distancing themselves from any healthy political participation.

Although this will alleviate negative partisan politics, which is commendable, it can also lead to a state of indifference. His- tory tells us that indifference breeds tyranny and institutionalised corruption. I will not be too surprised then if in the coming local council and MEP elections a high number of citizens opt not to vote.

Personally, not voting is not an option in my active citizenship manual. Not voting means giving more leeway to the greedy few and serves to strengthen their gratifications. Not voting implies giving others the freedom to choose over you. Not voting will give this government a further licence to keep running roughshod over us. By not voting one is allowing political extremists to take over and further harm our nation. While one has the right to choose whatever candidate/party they wish, by not voting one is abdicating from one’s duty towards his/her community/nation.

Within this context I humbly encourage all, whatever political creed one may have, to actively participate in the forthcoming elections to be held on May 25.

My particular appeal goes to St Julian’s residents who in these last few years, I’ve had the privilege and honour to represent. St Julian’s is not an easy locality, in view that there are conflicting interests many a time.

St Julian’s has been facing and still is, various macro and micro challenges, in particular overdevelopment and the commercialisation of public areas. Although politicians come and go, the harm inflicted to our locality remains for generations to come. Sadly, St Julian’s is being systematically abused of, to make good for the greed of the few.

I am resolute to remain a steadfast voice in advocating on behalf of all our residents. I firmly stand with them and am determined, to the best of my ability, to remain a promoter for the common good. Residents, on their part, need to stand up to be counted. It is not enough to grumble on social media or retreat into one’s comfort zones.

Let your voice be loud and clear. Your vote is your voice.

(This article was published on Times of Malta – 22 April, 2019)