Anatomy of a defeat

The Labour Party has good reason to be in absolute disarray. In the last two months under Alfred Sant's leadership it suffered three electoral defeats: the local councils elections, the EU referendum and the general election. The real tragedy for the MLP is that while all of Malta was glued to the television sets watching the prime minister signing the accession treaty in Athens, our opposition was merely a passive spectator. Not only did the MLP have nothing to say and contribute to this historic event but, perhaps even worse, no one even bothered to ask for its comments. While history was in the making, Dr Sant, with his strong anti-Europe stance, has rendered his party totally irrelevant.

The MLP would do well to grasp this opportunity and engage in a vigorous exercise of soul searching. Most of its policies need a general overhaul. Some an outright U-turn. A free discussion within the party is essential. Party delegates need not only to be free but also to feel free to voice their concerns, criticism and opinions, irrespective of what the upper echelons of the party think.

Most importantly it is time for the leadership to tender its resignation and ensure an open and democratic race for the leadership. It is not enough for Dr Sant to declare he will not contest the party's leadership again. What does this mean precisely? Could it be that "MC" is already organising a "please stay campaign" on the party's "hijacked" media rendering it difficult, if not actually impossible, for anyone to challenge Dr Sant, resulting in Dr Sant retaining his position? Would it not be more democratic for Dr Sant to submit his resignation so that those who wish to come forward can do so freely?

Mentioning "MC", one should acknowledge the enormous contribution that this person has made to the MLP's downfall. Over the past few years, through his daily programme Tajjeb li tkun taf, he has hit out at anyone whose opinion differs from that of his party leadership, with whom he embarked on a character assassination campaign in the case of those who declared themselves in favour of membership of the European Union.

I have personally met and spoken with pro-EU Labour supporters and activists who would have been forced to flee the country should Labour have been re-elected, thus leaving them with no alternative but to vote Nationalist.

Indeed, the MLP has wasted four precious years in opposition. All it did was preaching to the converted. The strategy adopted served only to pump more adrenaline in the party's diehards while floating voters were forced to step further away from the party.

Once again, recent events have brought the MLP at a crossroads. A decision needs to be taken on whether to choose the tough road ahead, where it can plan for the future and transform the party into a credible one that can be entrusted to govern this country. To do this it cannot continue to shy away from its responsibilities. It is time for decisions. For red cards to be shown. For new players to be introduced. It is time a new coach is brought in.

Or else, the MLP can choose the easy road. The same one it chose for the 1998 electoral defeat, when Dr Sant lost the government after only 22 months in the helm. At the time, he did not only refuse to admit any mistakes but blamed the people for not understanding him. It seems a similar tune is being played once again, this time round blaming the media for the party's electoral defeat.

What the MLP badly needs is major surgery and not quick pain relief.