Letters | Sunday, 05 April 2009

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Of fools and crusaders

I must say that I am an avid reader of MaltaToday and especially of Saviour Balzan’s columns, which I consider to be the epitome of sacrosanct journalistic irreverence. Saviour’s puns are also a feature I cherish and look forward to every Sunday. Hence, when I threw my hat in the political ring, I knew for a fact that I would attract his favours too one day – my warped sense of humour actually stirred a sense of expectation about this. So I consider Saviour’s comments last Sunday about my candidature to be fair game – I only wish to point out one small thing however. Saviour states that, since I will not get elected come next June, I would have made a fool of myself. I beg to differ.
I entered the political fray not out of a desire to carve out a space or some glory for myself – I cherished my academic career and personal acheivements before all this started. Believe it or not (and many here will twitch their noses), I did so in order to be able to project my ideas further up the local political agenda. In fact, during the past four weeks of campaigning, I trust that my proposals hogged much more the limelight than they did during seven years of newspaper columns – I consider this as a victory in itself, which makes all the sacrifices I have had to endure all the more worthwhile. Some politicians whom I hold in great respect, such as Harry Vassallo, have slogged along in politics for the past 20 years or so, never making it to being elected – should these individuals be branded as fools? Certainly not, as their enviable standing in society testifies.
I reiterate – all those who enter the political fray do so out of huge personal sacrifices and they have my admiration. This is especially true for individuals who are well establsihed in their academic or professional careers and hence stand to lose a lot from their decision. The day we were to consider such individuals as fools would be a sad day indeed for the further broadening of the political process and debate in this country since the most valid individuals should be in politics – calling them fools is not the right way to encourage their coming out of the snug cocoons academics and professionals so frequently choose in this country.

Alan Deidun
PN candidate for MEP elections

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