Watch: ‘I’m A Youth Too’ – Alex Borg Wears T-Shirt While Delivering Speech At PN Event
PN MP Alex Borg did something somewhat unusual for a Maltese politician: he wore a t-shirt while delivering a speech at a Nationalist Party event yesterday afternoon.
“I did this to directly address the youths. I’m a Member of Parliament and lawyer, but at the end of the day, I’m a youth too and young people engage better with one of them,” Borg told Lovin Malta.
Both PL and PN have been attempting to appeal to the youths during this electoral season, whether successful or not; they’ve really amped up their game. They’ve launched reality TV shows, met with ex-Love Islanders, and used TikTok to pass on their messages.
But has it really been working?
Borg thinks it has… for the PN at least.
When asked whether he believes the PN does a good job at engaging and inspiring youths in light of growing political apathy, Borg was clear that he thinks the party is doing an “excellent” job.
“In Gozo, out of 56 candidates, 15 are under the age of 30. More than a quarter. These in part should serve as a vehicle to engage further youth. Yesterday I did my small part. It is important for the youth to get out to vote. Most of these young people contesting the election have proven their validity and competence in their villages. They deserve our full support.”
“I don’t think the PN is unattractive to politics. I think the tribalistic, black vs white, fuelled a lot by the PL, has switched off some of the youths. We are here to convince them that there is, an alternative and deciding not to vote is letting someone else have a say over yourself. The greatest of freedoms comes through voting,” he said when asked to give his take on the idea that the PN is unattractive to youths.
Meanwhile, we were curious to hear his thoughts about the argument that young people who enter the PN end up getting completely absorbed, losing their individuality – Borg completely disagreed.
“Contrary to the perception portrayed by the question the youth are not absorbed, they are given a platform. 15 out of 56…what better platform than to represent your peers where decisions are taken about your local community? We do not absorb the youth. We put added value to the youth.”
Finally, as a youth myself, I’ve noticed general political apathy among young people in Malta. One specific thing I’ve noted is that people who do not want to vote for the PL find it hard to succumb to the idea of voting PN because of its conservative values. This is what Borg had to say:
“The PN has always been an umbrella party of GOOD VALUES. It brings liberals and conservatives together for the good of the country. This wedge between liberals and conservatives is unfortunately a tactic used by the PL to once again divide the country.”
“Ultimately what matters is not these ideologies what matters is goodwill. Whenever I speak with anyone be it in the PN I do not put on my conservative or liberal glasses. I put on the glasses of goodwill that is ultimately my litmus test.”
Do you think the PN successfully engages youths in Malta?
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