Errol Cutajar Calls Out Political Personal Attacks Against Glenn Bedingfield

Errol Cutajar has called for an end to personal attacks in politics, saying public debate should focus on actions rather than individuals.

In a statement, he said he has always judged politicians on what they do, not on who they are. “I have always chosen to criticise or praise actions, behaviour, what a person does, fails to do, or does poorly,” he said.

Cutajar said it is not acceptable for people to be targeted personally without any real basis, especially when they are new in a role and still have to show what they can do. He added that “time is the ultimate judge” and that politicians should be assessed properly over time.

He also referred directly to Minister for Home Affairs Glenn Bedingfield. Cutajar said that although he has often disagreed with him, disagreement does not justify abuse or personal attacks. He said he “cannot rest easy” without speaking out against what he described as unnecessary attacks and hate speech directed at Bedingfield.

Cutajar said he has been receiving many messages about the issue and felt he had to respond. He stressed that he has always preferred argument and persuasion rather than personal insults, even when political debates are heated.

He ended by saying politics needs to change. According to him, the current culture of personal attacks is outdated and not what people want anymore.

He said that if politicians want to be taken seriously, they need to focus on ideas, arguments and results, not insults and personal targeting.

#MaltaDaily