Of U-turns and challenges

Pro-PN columnists are trying to convince the people that the Malta Labour Party has lost all credibility, that its leader is its greatest liability and that the MLP is the party of U-turns, betraying its principles for the sake of political expediency as highlighted by its change of policy on Malta's relationship with the European Union. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Alfred Sant has earned the respect of all those who cherish democracy by immediately accepting the people's verdict on the EU issue as soon as the result of the April 12 general election became known. Contrary to what the pro-PN columnists are stating, the MLP's electoral defeat does not mean that its policy regarding Malta's relationship with the EU was wrong. It means it did not find favour with the people.

Labour's accepting the people's verdict and, thus, EU membership for Malta is no U-turn. It is simply a confirmation of its democratic credentials given that it had publicly stated it would abide by the decision of the people at a general election on this issue.

Furthermore, one must distinguish between principles and political strategy. A party's policy on Malta's relationship with the EU is a matter of political strategy, it is not a matter of principle such as democracy, social justice, etc. Changed circumstances beget a change in political strategy as in the case of the MLP after the April 12 general election.

Can you imagine what the Nationalists and their allies would have said had the MLP ignored the people's verdict and continued with its advocation of partnership as opposed to membership of the EU? They would have called the Labourites undemocratic, people who do not respect the will of the sovereign electorate!

Indeed, it is the Nationalist government which has perpetrated the mother of all U-turns. Before the general election, we were promised heaven on earth if the Maltese voted for membership of the EU. Now we are asked to face a future of more efforts and more sacrifices because the economic situation of the country is far from being rosy! Who has lost all credibility with the Maltese people, Dr Sant or Eddie Fenech Adami?

Attempts at portraying the MLP as being in a mess are nothing but an attempt to create a picture of political reality within the MLP ranks that suits the PN agenda and which is far from the truth. There is a new spirit of enthusiasm within the MLP. Deputy Leader Michael Falzon has, in a few months, succeeded in making the party more open to the rank and file, more receptive to the creative ideas of its delegates by means of the newly-created delegates' assemblies.

What about Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfred Mifsud, critics will retort? I would call them and those who have different opinions from the mainstream as "the other Labourites". This does not mean, however, that the MLP is in a mess. It means that the challenge faced by the leadership during the coming months, perhaps even years, will be to unify all Labourites, to seek reconciliation with those who have the same principles but different ideas about the political strategy needed to be in a position to implement them.

It means that all Labourites must unite and present one front towards a well-deserved electoral victory.