Vanni, every building – especially a public one – is a symbol. Archaeologists can tell a lot about a civilisation just by studying the plans of its cities and the ruins of its buildings. Tucking parliament away in a fort literally at the farthest tip of Valletta or in some other nook would mean that we don’t care how the country is run and that we expect – want, even – lawmakers to be cut off from society. It is ironic that those who clamour most to be “heard” and heeded by MPs are the ones who would banish parliament to the outskirts or even outside Valletta.

Parliament is the driving force of any country and a very important place. Just like the kitchen (and not the latrine) is the most important room in a restaurant. But still, nobody wants to see the kitchen as soon as they walk in do they?

Still some kitchens ARE nice to look at and if anyone could design one worth looking at – Mr Piano has. All we need to do now is teach our politicians to flambe’.

These projects will surely induce economic growth to the private sector which is much needed, and my advice is that the government shall move on fast, rather than listening to unprofessional critics. We cannot please everyone on such projects, but if executed properly a lot of positive change will come about.

I am still saddened by the St. John Cathedral project rejection.

Regarding the opera house, it is impossible to build it to its original glory, we do not have the resources, manpower, craftsmanship and time frame.

[Daphne – Of course we do, and that’s not the reason it shouldn’t be rebuilt.]

Westminster Palace was not destroyed completely like the opera house. Only part of it had to be reconstructed and the works can be considered as a repair job rather than the building of a replica.

The Constitution says: There shall be a Parliament of Malta which shall consist of the President and a House of Representatives.

Some have a vision of parliament as a debating society with frequent trading of insults but, apart from the behaviour of some individual MPs from time to time, the House of Representatives is an expression of the rule of law which guarantees democracy. Without it, there would be autocracy or arbitrary rule or rule by the divine right of kings.

Parliament legislates and, in so doing, curtails the powers of the rulers (the executive) over the people by enacting what can and cannot be done. And, since MPs are elected by the people, the people are ruling themselves by delegating legislative powers to their representatives. The laws are then applied by the executive (the government) and can be enforced through the courts in case the executive does not apply them as parliament intended.

It is therefore good and proper that this institution should be housed in a building that expresses its importance as the ultimate power of the people. It should be prominent and visible so that the people can identify themselves with it because it is the source of their power. It is not the house of MPs but the house of the people.

Everyone has the right to go personally and see what parliament is doing and that is why there is the strangersi gallery – an unfortunate term as the people should not consider themselves “strangers” in this place.

One is aware that the above is stating the obvious but sometimes the obvious is not immediately visible to all.

The expression is “as thick as two short planks”. :o)

A very good argument for rebuilding the opera house as it was before it was bombed, Marc. Thank you.

[Daphne – Thick as two planks, aren’t you? Churchill was highlighting the importance of parliament. He wouldn’t have felt the same way about opera.]

“In a democracy everybody has a right to be represented, including the jerks.” Lord Patten, former Governor of Hong Kong

Quality, Daphne. I’m sure the Carmelites could lend you an inch tape or two.