Open political debate

The last two weeks in the campaign for the election of an MLP leader have allowed a level of criticism and forthright comments never before seen within the Labour media and in Maltese politics. Gone were the rotweilers ready to tear the entrails of any internal critic daring to stray from the straight and narrow line of singing the praises and the thoughts of the leader and those surrounding him.

This new transparency, as well as giving space to varied opinion and criticism, took out all the wind from the sails of the so-called independent commentators who, after having demonised the MLP leadership, now impudently felt they had a right to influence the election of their political opponents. It was quite amusing seeing general busybodies and socialite hacks reduced to using comments and film clips obtained second- and third-hand from MLP media.

I sincerely trust that this transparency will be maintained in the time to come. Let us hope that in future any rotweiler will be kept muzzled and under leash. I feel that allowing members to vent their criticism not only strengthens the party but also gives the possibility for different political opinions to coexist, mature and develop. There must be open and transparent mechanisms and media space offered for the venting of different opinions.

Of course, such openness always presupposes a loyalty to the party once a decision has been democratically taken.

Watching the stylised set pieces, self-congratulatory mood and leadership adulation at the recent PN general conference convinces me that the whole political scene could benefit from a new dawn of open political debate.

Party MPs, party representatives and members should be given more free rein and opportunity to express their true inner thoughts for only in this way can new leaders emerge on the merit of their ideas, rather than by their adherence to party cabals.