The most valuable lessons aren’t taught, they’re experienced
The following is an excerpt from the resignation letter penned by Priti Patel, the former UK international development secretary, addressed to British Prime Minister Theresa May: “As you know from our discussions, I accept that in meeting with organisatio
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While my actions were meant with the best of intentions, my actions also fell below the standards of transparency and openness that I have promoted and advocated... I offer a fulsome apology to you and to the government for what has happened and offer my resignation.”
In her reply the British prime minister made one point very clear, which I would like to share with you: “As you know, the UK and Israel are close allies and it is right that we should work closely together. But that must be done formally and through official channels. That is why, when we met on Monday, I was glad to accept your apology and welcomed your clarification about your trip to Israel over the summer. Now that further details have come to light, it is right that you have decided to resign and adhere to the high standards of transparency and openness that you have advocated.”
These are some of the ethical standards which local politicians should emulate and these are the minimum criteria which should be sought by the electorate from our politicians. Politicians should ensure that when travelling on government business, they are accompanied by top civil servants. The local politicians who have travelled to Azerbaijan on government business should take their cue from their British counterparts and shoulder responsibility. It is called transparency and accountability.
This brings me to a BBC news item which was reported on extensively Sunday morning. President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe, 93, has largely been confined to his house since the army took over on Wednesday after he fired his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa’s dismissal made Mugabe’s wife Grace frontrunner to becoming the next president. This manoeuvre, a blatant case of nepotism, triggered tens of thousands of Zimbabweans to take to the streets to show their disapproval. Malta is far from Zimbabwe, both geographically and in the way the rule of law is applied. Nevertheless, great caution should be taken when it comes to the application of the rule of law locally. A vibrant democracy needs a wide spectrum of voices and none of the voices should be silenced, even when these voices are not music.
Turning to the local context, in the days preceding last Tuesday’s debate at the European Parliament and the vote which was taken on Wednesday, in which the EP unequivocally called on the local authorities to investigate thoroughly the alleged Panama Papers scandal and other related matters, the Labour Party strove to persuade the local community that the three PN MEPs were out to harm Malta’s reputation. This assertion does not hold water. The vote was a clear signal to the local authorities - 466 MEPs voted in favour, 49 against, while 167 abstained.
If anyone should take the blame for this negative vote against Malta, it is the current administration, which time and time again has failed to take appropriate action to curb the serious alleged cases of corruption which have surfaced.
There is no need to make any extraordinary effort to stoke a fire in the local political context. There is always a social, economic, financial, or environmental issue simmering on the back burner, waiting for its turn to be drawn onto the front burner. From time to time we experience, and are accustomed to, a flare-up in the local political scenario which divides the electorate into two major blocks. Blinded by partisan politics, the national and common good are relegated to a lower priority – at our own peril. I must add, however, that a rather high portion of the electorate has become disenchanted with the, at times, theatrical acts of some politicians. This is a worrisome trend and must be adequately addressed.
If not addressed the consequences may impinge directly and/or indirectly on the economic performance which to a large extent is supported by the business community. In this regard, I fail to grasp the reasoning this administration is following when it comes to dealing with alleged cases of corruption. Why this administration is putting the common good and the rule of law in jeopardy is very hard to comprehend. While Malta has obtained various positive international economic performance results, the one which Malta obtained from the European Parliament should not be shelved.
Every endeavour should be made by the government to limit the negative effects of last Wednesday’s vote. If necessary heads should roll; after all, it was already suggested by the PL MEPs’ delegation head.