Bernard ‘jirranka’

This word – – is not easy to translate. It seems that it derives from the Spanish arrancadura, which means, among other things, enthusiasm and vim. In his dictionary, Aquilina translates it as "to pull his oars". I'm not sure I like this translation. Erin

Last week, I attended the Nissaħħu Flimkien activity organised by the Nationalist Party, and listened very attentively to what the PN Leader had to say. The only phrase I could think of was, qed jirranka – I could clearly see impetus, energy, enthusiasm. His speech, his vision, even his demeanour. I already wrote that the more you get to know Dr Grech, the more you like him.

I like his vision in particular: it’s moderately conservative. As a matter of fact, Dr Grech seems to me the embodiment of DemoChristian thought. What does being Christian mean? To my layman’s mind it means essentially three things: (1) the law is made for man, not man for the law; (2) we are not to stone anyone to death (for those luminaries who might think it’s funny to misunderstand me on purpose, I’m obviously using a metaphor); (3) forgiveness, tolerance, acceptance are of the essence.

It’s compassionate conservatism, not bigot conservatism. It is an inclusive conservatism, a conservatism that believes in second chances, in accepting differences, in – all said and done – accepting Man at the centre of Politics. It’s putting into practice in a democracy Christ‘s teaching that the Law is made for Man, not vice versa. Man ( anthropos, il-bniedem, not l-irġiel) has to be accepted in his variegated manifestations, because Man is ultimately imago Dei, Man is made in the image of God.

From what I can understand, Dr Grech is trying to define a formula that attracts the conservatives but also those who are less conservative. The progressives – those who want abortion, euthanasia, and all the other aberrations of our times – are neither conservatives nor moderately conservative. This, on the social front.

On the economic front, again Dr Grech is working on a formula, which he is explaining little by little, because politics is complex. (Only the Burmarrad wheeler-dealer, because he’s a wheeler-dealer, told the people that politics is straight-forward). Again from what I can understand, Dr Grech’s formula is based on two points – and I was thoroughly impressed.

First, he said that, unlike Robert Abela, he would tell the people the truth about the Covid-19 pandemic. The truth. Only a gutsy politician can use those words, and Dr Grech used them. The truth about what? About the gravity of the situation, in terms of health (public and private) and its implications on the economy. It is fundamental at this moment to ditch the “waves in the sea” rhetoric and embrace a policy of truth: people need to take stock of the situation to plan ahead, to make the right decisions at such a delicate moment. The economy ultimately depends on the decisions taken by each and every stakeholder. Saying the truth is therefore imperative.

In seeking to strike the balance between public health and the needs of the economy, I think that, again, Dr Grech is being moderately conservative. He is not succumbing to the requests of the Market but he is not shutting the door in the face of the Market either. The Prime Minister would be wise to listen to the vision Dr Grech is weaving.

And then, cherry on the cake: he spoke of his vision that urban development has to be governed by a policy that involves Beauty. Beauty! I was thrilled to hear a politician speak about Beauty. He said it – calmly, clearly, coherently – and it was music to my ears.

Malta has finally a politician who speaks about Truth and Beauty. But it’s not airy-fairy. This talk is rooted in the practicality of everyday things. It seems to me that Bernard Grech is the channel through which philosophical principles can be put into practice as policies.

I’m writing this on Friday; you will be reading it on Sunday. My intention is to spend Sunday Morning listening to Dr Grech again. He is turning out to be truly inspiring.