This man thinks in “fives.” So it’s five regional administrations, five degrees…

That’s because the people get what they vote for. The same rule applies to both national and local elections. It’s a reflection of the general public’s state of ‘intelligence’.

Gaetano, when reading such people the mind boggles. Certainly what he meant was centralisation, but probably decentralisation sounds more bombastic and impressive to his audience.

Although local council have their faults, they have improved our lives. At least we do not have to depend on the local MP to get something done. Probably better auditing of the councils will do the trick.

The list of PN ‘white elephants’ is very long: 25 years long in fact during which the PN upgraded our state from that of a banana republic to that of a first world nation and member of the European Union. Previous to that we a had a government that ended up shooting gas canisters, rubber bullets and even anti-protest bullets at opposition activists while our national infrastructure went to the dogs. Corruption was the only way to have things done, imported, bought, sold, etc.

With all the problems we went through together, do you really believe that we were wasting our time and got nothing done?

The 5 regional committees are taking us back to centralization and removing devolution, is that what you really want?

It goes without saying that Mr. Six Degrees’ Seventh, will be paid in full by Muscat from the money ‘saved’ through the fake-postponement (read ‘suspension’) of the local council elections.

Agreed. But they are terribly expensive, in terms of funds, accountability and value for money.

The things you mentioned are the positive side of local councils. The other side includes fraud, overspending, criminal activities (including bribes, electricity theft etc) sometimes by the mayors themselves. Not to mention the fact that Labour led local councils did their part to undermine the PN government at every opportunity. Remember the signs fixed in various streets around the island blaming the ‘central’ government for their state of disrepair? I can remember quite a few, in the Rabat area especially, but not only. The same streets are even worse now, but no sign is fixed.

Hong Kong is going through the same issue. After only 17 years (instead of the promised 50 years in the agreement with the UK), China wants to change the election rules for Hong Kong.

They want the candidates to be approved by China first, before running for office in Hong Kong.