Attard Montalto argues for consistency

Labour Party leadership contender John Attard Montalto says in an interview today that a party leader should be courageous, consistent and credible.

The party should first decide on policy, he argues, then on who to have as leader. He tried to convince the party on that, but a meeting of the executive and parliamentary group last week decided against his proposal.

The election for party leader will be held this week, when Alfred Sant, going against his post-election declaration, will be facing re-election. Dr Attard Montalto and Labour MP Anglu Farrugia are also contesting.

The leader should not dictate policy, Dr Attard Montalto says. Only in this way can the party avoid making U-turns, as it did on local councils, value added tax, and the institution of the referendum. The implication is that it was Dr Sant who drew up and decided on these policies.

In the interview, in which he also explains his vision for the Labour Party, Dr Attard Montalto expresses concern that during its brief tenure of office after 1996, Labour in government drifted too far to the right.

The leadership race has already been run and won, he argues, feeling that his leadership bid will mean the end of his parliamentary seat. But nothing can stop the process he has started, to make the party more transparent and democratic, he says.