I remember penning editorials about the need to change the way we do politics. I found it absurd that most of the time, projects were launched a mere few months prior to a general election.
The majority rejected this way of doing politics.
We could easily sit pretty, enjoy this very comfortable majority and simply make cosmetic changes. I am proud to form part of an administration that believes in real change. We believe in making history.
Malta is taking the next bold step to include more representation in our electoral process. Yesterday, the government launched a public consultation document to test the waters on the possibility of introducing voting rights for 16-year-olds in the general and MEP elections.
In 2015, for the first time, a Labour government empowered youth and gave them the right to vote in local council elections. In those elections there was a 62.3 per cent turnout from the approximately 4,800 youths who were eligible to vote. According to the 2016 electoral register, if this initiative is introduced for the national election, about 8,500 youths will start forming part of the electorate.
The government believes in empowering youth and this belief was reflected in the principles enshrined in our manifesto pledges. The consultation document puts all cards on the table. It delves into whether 16-year-olds should just vote or whether they should be allowed to contest local council elections and be elected mayors as well. We are not only interested in the views of the population. The consultation will also aid the legislative process in Parliament.
If 16-year-olds are given the right to vote, a new cohort will be involved in important decisions taken by the country
Of course, we are open to different opinions. But if 16-year-olds are given the right to vote, a new cohort will be involved in important decisions taken by the country. If we take it a step further, allowing 16-year-olds to contest the local council elections and enjoy the possibility of being elected mayors, it would be the key to injecting fresh enthusiasm in councils.
This initiative has to be a holistic one and its diverse aspects must be analysed. We need to ask important questions and explore whether youth participation in politics could affect their education and future prospects.
My participation in the Labour Party’s LEAD programme has also made me reflect on the need for a similar programme focused on youths, particularly 16- to 18-year-olds, who may now have legal avenues to political participation. Years ago, the Labour Party offered, and still does, a similar programme, but I fail to see a larger platform promoting such training.
It is ironic that while in most jobs you need training before being employed, in politics no one ever prepares you for the reality that you have to face after you are elected. No one trains you to be a good politician. You gain experience through your involvement in a political party structure and from meeting people on a day-to-day basis, but there is no formal training for people who wish to contribute in politics. Mostly, it is a situation of trial and error.
Therefore I believe that LEAD, and now the Vote 16 initiative, should be the beginning of a training and mentoring programme. This is first being offered to women but can eventually be extended to youths in general.
I believe that eventually all candidates who contest local, general and MEP elections must be trained. Such training not only benefits the people elected but also the Maltese and Gozitan population, who will be properly represented by people prepared for their important political role.
This is why this reform is one of the first to be addressed in the first 100 days of a new Labour government. My colleagues and I started working on implementing our electoral pledges from day one. Our enthusiasm is vivid, as is our sense of collegiality. The day-to-day contact with our electorate helped us not only to learn what people need, and thus to present a relevant political manifesto, but continues to help us in our daily decisions. Our aim is to continue to achieve good and effective governance that addresses the needs of the citizens and which tangibly improves their lives.
I am honoured to be part of a dynamic team that is working ceaselessly for this country and which is not afraid to address issues that had been swept under the carpet for several legislatures.
Now is the time to empower people who can genuinely contribute to the wellbeing of our society. The interesting road we have embarked on will empower women and now youths. The formidable economic results we are achieving cannot be an excuse not to change things – this is the raison d’etre of this government.
On the contrary, we believe that the positive changes we have brought about have all contributed to the economy. A serene citizen who feels important to a country will undoubtedly contribute more towards the success of the country.
Julia Farrugia is Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification of Administrative Processes.