Unpretty Bay
Published on The Times of Malta on Sunday 3rd February, 2008 by Mark Anthony Falzon.
The model for local political participation was established by mayor Paul Buttigieg of Qala who, faced with the prospect of a manderaggio at Ħondoq, decided to hold, not Mepa responsible, but a referendum.
Just this once, locals got a direct voice. This flew in the face of party centralisation, and was duly ignored and forgotten.
Where it really matters, totalitarianism seems to be alive and well in Malta. Between parties, political dissent over issues of 'national interest' is met with abuse and accusations of disloyalty.
(Silly me, I thought that the point of politics was precisely to problematise such issues.) Within parties, each expects (and usually gets) unanimity of thought and expression among the ranks.
The hapless people of Birżebbuġa had better brace themselves.
Then again, they might consider an impromptu citizens' group and drop Paul Buttigieg a line on the logistics.
They have nothing to lose but their cranes.
To view the whole article, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080203/opinion/unpretty-bay/mark%20anthony%20falzon
The model for local political participation was established by mayor Paul Buttigieg of Qala who, faced with the prospect of a manderaggio at Ħondoq, decided to hold, not Mepa responsible, but a referendum.
Just this once, locals got a direct voice. This flew in the face of party centralisation, and was duly ignored and forgotten.
Where it really matters, totalitarianism seems to be alive and well in Malta. Between parties, political dissent over issues of 'national interest' is met with abuse and accusations of disloyalty.
(Silly me, I thought that the point of politics was precisely to problematise such issues.) Within parties, each expects (and usually gets) unanimity of thought and expression among the ranks.
The hapless people of Birżebbuġa had better brace themselves.
Then again, they might consider an impromptu citizens' group and drop Paul Buttigieg a line on the logistics.
They have nothing to lose but their cranes.
To view the whole article, go to http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080203/opinion/unpretty-bay/mark%20anthony%20falzon
posted by Hondoq at
6:49 PM
