Art and conservation par excellence.

The opportunity cost thrown to the wind over decades is mind-blowing.

There is a famous exchange between Jeremy Paxman and Tony Blair about this very subject.

At that time (early 2000s), the British Labour party was receiving donations from Richard Desmond (“The King of Soho”). After Tony Blair made one of his usual pious monologues about values, Paxman asks: “So how do you feel about receiving money from a pornographer?”

The Maltese take pride in their proverbs, so why do they ignore “ma min rajtek xebbahtek?” Because this is what it’s all about. It might not be illegal, but it is very damaging.

And if any party cannot do without Sandro Chetcuti’s donations because they would otherwise go bankrupt, there is a very neat solution – sell the TV stations, then sell the kazini.

Individuals like Sandro Chetcuti have no moral compass whatsoever. They do not donate so as to help their preferred political party reach the government and implement their preferred policies.

They donate to help themselves directly, so as to demand a quid pro quo in terms of access to politicians and an influence over their policy-making.

His blatant boast that both parties are like two big shops for businesses makes it clear that this is how he thinks and that he sees nothing wrong with it.

That should set alarm bells ringing LOUDLY within the ears of Simon Busuttil and the Nationalist Party, particularly as he now appears to be using his false flattery and toadying-up techniques by gossiping over a cup of coffee with people who have known links to the Nationalist Party and its media.

Coffee today, drinks tomorrow, dinner invites the day after….etc. etc.