Another Labour Party sticky wicket

Alfred Sant says the MLP as the protector of the working classes will defend their interests, in the framework of EU membership. So do the Parties of European Socialists (PES) whom the Labour Party refused to join until losing a referendum and yet another election.

I personally wrote dozens of letters pointing out the sterling work that PES does and the benefit that will accrue to the MLP. Only if they associate themselves with them rather than with the ultra right-wing EDD of Jens-Peter Bonde, which their European parliament prospective candidate, Sharon Ellul Bonici, is still urging the MLP to do, will they make headway.

But it seems Dr Sant sees things only when they hit him for six.

Sometime ago PES commissioned a study to analyse the problem of European unemployment and the best way to deal with it.

This study set out to find whether a country obtains the best results trying to solve its problems working in isolation or with the cooperation of other member states. Spain was made the subject of this analysis and the results obtained proved without any doubt that cooperation pays.

It is little wonder that even their hard-line supporters are confused. They are sending out so many conflicting messages that they are now finding it of the utmost importance to explain their position vis-a-vis the very pro-EU PES, which they were repeatedly urged to join, but repeatedly ignored.

To be on the positive side, I urge the MLP to use this term in opposition to repair some of the harm they caused. Their followers had for far too long, sadly, been exhorted to look sneeringly at fellow Europeans.

How many times have we all heard Manuel Cuschieri referring to them as dawk ta' l-Ewropa in a tone as if they have it in for us?

So many untruths were unashamedly uttered that it is little wonder that they have even bewildered their supporters with their new stance. I am at pains not to call it a U-turn.

The MLP must not keep on trying to make childish political capital out of a natural calamity, it does not work. We all know that Malta's size and burgeoning population density creates problems. So much of our island is built up and so many town planning mistakes have been irrevocably committed that now we have sown the wind we are reaping the whirlwind. Valleys are no place where to build houses, only fools do and it seems we are not short of them.

Dr Sant and his cohorts are impressing no one when they visit flood-hit areas with the sole motive of political bamboozling.

In the days when the MLP was in office, ministers were unfettered with the niceties of environmental impact assessments or planning controls.

I try not to look back but some capers by the MLP make it exceedingly difficult.

I now hope that they will state their position regarding the proposed EU constitution; PES have declared themselves enthusiastically in favour, with a few minor reservations. The MLP, and Dr Sant in particular, must explain and justify their new position as members of the same PES, to the party rank and file. It is going to be another hard pill to swallow, but swallow it they must.