Labour's policy on the EU

My friend Eddie Privitera presents (October 7) an absolutely wrong interpretation of the Labour Party's policy on Malta's relationship with the European Union.

The MLP delegates had decided during the 2001 general conference that the issue of Malta's future relationship with the EU would be decided by means of the people's verdict at the next general election. This was held on April 12, 2003, and the Maltese people, by an overwhelming majority, decided in favour of EU membership for Malta. The MLP, being a democratic political party, immediately accepted the Maltese people's verdict.

There was nothing illogical in this course of action. It was simply the implementation of what had been decided by the MLP delegates in 2001. To go against what one's own party delegates had decided before the general election and what the majority of the Maltese people had decided at that election would have constituted a U-turn and a manifestation of lack of respect for democracy.

As for Mr Privitera's allegation that the MLP leadership's policy is that "of accepting Malta's membership of the EU at all costs on a permanent basis", nothing could be further from the truth. The MLP's policy on Malta's relationship with the EU is practical and realistic. The Maltese people have decided on this issue. Therefore, it does not make sense to re-open the debate as this would create political instability in the country and a climate of uncertainty that would adversely affect foreign investment and Malta's economic prospects as well as the country's international image and credibility.

Furthermore, it is time for action and not for more talk. The situation of the country's finances is alarming, the economy is in a poor state, the state of the environment is preoccupying, the wastage of talent resulting from defects in Malta's educational system can no longer be tolerated. Let us stop wasting our time on issues that no longer have any relevance and start concentrating on what is really important now in the national interest.

I would compare the present situation regarding EU membership to that of a marriage. When one gets married, one tries to get the best out of it for the two parties involved. If one starts immediately considering the prospect of separation because of future difficulties, then the marriage is bound to fail. It is simply a case between having a positive frame of mind or a negative one.

But what if the country's situation really worsens with EU membership? I am sure that if such a situation were to develop in the future, not only the MLP leadership but also the PN leadership would never accept Malta's membership of the EU at all costs on a permanent basis. If EU membership eventually proves to be harmful for our country, it stands to reason that both the MLP leadership and the PN leadership would have no hesitation in taking Malta out of the European Union.

We may argue on the way to go about doing things but, at the end of the day, both the Labour leadership and the Nationalist leadership desire the best for the country. Which is the most competent to lead the country is another matter. Obviously, I would opt for Labour any day, given the abysmal performance of the Nationalists in government.

However, this question of evaluating the consequences of Malta's membership of the European Union is not ours to discuss today. It will be our children who will discuss it and, in the future, they will decide on it in the best interests of the nation.