Alfred Sant resigns with immediate effect
Labour leader Alfred Sant has resigned with immediate effect.
The resignation was announced at a press conference currently under way at Labour headquarters.
Dr Sant was appointed to the MLP helm in 1992, taking over from Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.
He piloted an organisational reform of the Labour Party, which included the building of a new headquarters, and in 1996 he led the party to government.
But his government only lasted 22 months when Dom Mintoff denied him his one-seat parliamentary majority.
The MLP subsequently lost the general election of 1998 and the EU referendum and general election of 2003. He had offered to resign after the 2003 defeats but was persuaded to stay on and had been hopeful of returning to government after last Saturday's poll.
Dr Sant, 60, will remain an MP but said his resignation is irrevocable.
Dr Sant, who looked relaxed and well, congratulated Dr Gonzi on the PN's victory, saying the PN had won the slimmest of victories and the MLP had lost with honour.
Dr Gonzi now had a duty to govern the country as one whole, with no people being sidelined, Dr Sant said.
He thanked supporters who backed the MLP and his own collaborators within the MLP.
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joe bonello
Mar 11th 2008, 14:11
AS could not be credible about corruption. What did he do about it ? All his words / actions were just political gimmicks purposely left for the last few days of the campaign. Even though he has now resigned he is still morally (if not legally) obliged to bring forward all the evidence, I say again, evidence he has. The time for mud slinging is over !
David S. Ganado
Mar 11th 2008, 12:53
Victor - its time you followed your (ex) leader's example; Take a HIKE!!!
If you heard Lawrence Ganzi last night you would have seen a real Statesman outling the way forward and showing that a policy of dirt and divisivness Does Not Work!!
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 11th 2008, 12:35
There is one thing that MLP supporters have successfully done all these years without any U-turns; blaming others for their failures!! Four weeks ago everyone was expecting MLP to win the election without any problem and still PN won this election against all odds!! Why? Is Dr.Sant the only responsible? No of course not!! The whole party and its policies are to be blamed!! It is truly the time for MLP to try to re-invent itself now – and the first thing it must do is try to get out all the people in that party with the old mentality of the 80s!!
Joe Galea
Mar 11th 2008, 11:28
Thanks Dr. Sant for your service throughout these years. You modernised the party and put the dirt under the PN's carpets.
The assassination of character orchestrated by PN throughout these years has worked well.
Thanks for being hones throughout these years. however it seems that the country needs corrupt people to rule.
With corruption you gain glory otherwise you succumb. JPO increased his votes since he was caught red-handed in corruption. We live in a SICK country.
I wish Dr. Sant a heathy life and a good rest. Farewell. You deserved much better, but life is cruel to the honest and kind to the wrongdoers.
PN's cannons now will turn to kill the new leader. God help us to be corrupt as this is the way to have glory!!!
Joseph Grech-Attard
Mar 11th 2008, 10:50
I am an MLP supporter. Do all the women and men of goodwill who are trying to give the MLP advice of what to do to win the next general election really mean it? There is one advice that I, alas, give the MLP. Corruption is no longer an issue as it was in 1987. "Everybody does it," many claim. It has now been accepted by most of the Mlatese. Unless MLP does the same it shall NEVER return to power. The moment when even MLP endorses this I shall return my vote to the President of our then united Malta.
M. Savona
Mar 11th 2008, 09:16
If i were you I would change the name of the labour party to NEW LABOUR or something around those words to mark a dissasociation from the policies of the old labour
natalie Mallett
Mar 11th 2008, 08:55
John Abela I could not agree with you more. Same here.
M.Aqulina
Mar 11th 2008, 02:09
Thanks for all the work done within the party. People have habit of only seeing your bad qualities. I admire you for your honesty and courage in times where everyone seemed to be against you. You always stressed the importance of no-violence in politics and you cleaned up the party from their misdeeds in the past. You shall not be forgotten. I hope Jason Micallef resigns from his post since I believe he disappointed a lot of MLP voters yesterday with his 'cocky' attitude at first and then disappeared when he had to face the public and let Michael Falzon carry the burden by himself. I would only keep Michael Falzon as one of the top three, with Joseph Muscat as leader. Any chance of George Abela or Karmenu Vella being one of the deputies?
Arnold Galea
Mar 10th 2008, 23:31
Dr. Alfred Sant will be remembered for modernising the Labour Party and for moving it more towards the centre contrary to the Old Labour ideoligies.
He organised the media of the party so much so that both radio & Television channel are very successful and he also moved the party to new headquarters.
His fortunes took a negative turn after the election of 1998, I think that after 2003 he should have not recontested the leadership.
Finally, he contributed to improving the level of our political debates, in fact during his leadership the debates in the country were always on issues such as inflation, taxes, economic growth and corruption.
However, very often in crucial times he failed miserably to communicate his policies better.
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 23:26
Victor Laiviera - It will not continue "till new leader (sic) is elected", if criticism is what you mean.
Alfred Sant was, is and will remain very much part of our history, as KMB was, and as Mintoff was before him. He is a public figure, and therefore should be ready to accept criticism just as he can accept praise. You can rest assured that he will be remembered by many, though not for the same reasons as yours.
Having said that - Looking forward to seeing you with your solitary MLP flag in Valletta tomorrow at 4pm!
Liam Kelly
Mar 10th 2008, 23:18
Chris Sergio can you explain your comments please?
PN 'bigwhigs'??, make fools out of the rest of you?? What exactly are you trying to say? If your so angry with us nationalists why on earth did you vote for us in the first place?
Regarding Alfred Sant... failed to govern the country when given the opportunity, failed to recognise the results of a referendum, failed to provide an effective opposition. sorry, but that's just not good enough, no matter how many universities he's attended.
Victor Laiviera
Mar 10th 2008, 20:38
I did not expect my initial comment to be proved right so quickly.
It is still going on - and it will continue till new leader is elected, when the cannons will be turned on him/her.
That, sadly, is the PN's modus operandi.
Mario Gauci
Mar 10th 2008, 20:29
Although I am of a different political persuasion to that of Dr. Sant, I do recognise the change he has brought to the MLP. Albeit not enough. However his failure to admit defeat throughout the years and his policy of 'no regrets' surely did not auger well for him.
MLP now needs to have a strong leader and definitely change certain people at the top. People like Jason Micallef and Charles Mangion who did not stick around till the end of the counting process showed their true face, cowards. I respect both Michael Falzon and the MLP President who showed great courage and humility in defeat. You need more people like them.
You have no place for people who continue to preach hatred, after all we are one people.
We need a strong opposition in the next 5 years. Who knows maybe next election MLP are elected to lead this country. But yes, you definitely need a 'New Beginning'.
Thanks Dr. Sant for bowing out. Others within should follow suit. I think many moderate people within MLP know whom I am referring to.
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 19:44
David S. Ganado - Hear, hear! :)
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 19:41
Alfred Mallia - Truth? Truth? What truth? The fact that the man has no regrets is the only truth you are referring to, surely!
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 19:40
Avril Bonnici - Some words are best expressed in private. "Impeccable contribute" (sic)?
He was president of the MLP throughout the horrendous 80s; he dragged Malta down in 22 months; he refuses to acknowledge the result of any referendum; he thought that joining the European Union would be a bad move ... Shall I go on?
And do you know what the worst part is - The man STILL has "no regrets"! Wake up, kiddo!
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 19:35
David Grech - Yes, and pigs might fly!
Christian Camenzuli
Mar 10th 2008, 19:18
Even when he is defeated for the third time in a row in what seemed to be a walk-over election for the labour party before he started talking, this man refuses to stop throwing mud and accuses PN of using public airtime and other public resources in their favour. Incredible!!!
I respect him as a politician who lead the second biggest local political force. however... i do believe that this resignation will be a positive improvement for the labour party, Maltese politics and Malta in general!
Joseph Grech-Attard
Mar 10th 2008, 19:15
Thank you Fred! One thing I have learned from this election. Corruption, which was an issue for EFA and the PN in 1987, is no longer an issue. Also that the PN managed to perform a much greater u-turn than Labour ever did, in voting for Gonzi rather than for PN.......this was extremely rejected by the PN when Mintoff was head of MLP. We were Mintoffjani...are they Gonzitjani, or, maybe, Gonzians??
David Buttigieg
Mar 10th 2008, 18:34
finally!!!!!!
It's "hasta la vista baby" to the man who dared ignore the will of the people and tried to keep us out of Europe, the mud-slinger extraordinaire.
I had high hopes for him in 96 (not high enough to vote for him) but let's face it, he failed miserably.
Still cheer up labour, the only way is indeed up now!!
Reuben Balzan
Mar 10th 2008, 18:33
Dino Mifsud, I don't agree with your analysis.
It's not that the majority does not think zero tolerance to corruption should take precedence. In my opinion it means one of the following:
1. The majority did not believe Sant's claims about corruption; or
2. The majority did not believe that Sant was capable (or indeed willing) of fighting such corruption; or
3. Notwithstanding the corruption the majority thought they would rather trust Gonzi than Sant to fight corruption.
Honesty is also about being honest with the electorate.
Reuben Balzan
Mar 10th 2008, 18:25
Victor Laiviera, the only sad thing is your failure to see the man's shortcomings.
Let's hope that the MLP can now become a credible alternative.
Joseph Zammit
Mar 10th 2008, 18:15
Dr.Sant thanks for all you've done to the country, you had the guts to contradict Mintoff, he thought you're the next KMB and what he says has to be obeyed. Thanks for that, you had all the media against you, remember the PN they called you the devil himself, and that was before 1996. EFA tried to blame you and that was a day before the election of 2003, I thing you were a great leader to the MLP and after all as ex Nationalist until 1994 I thank you that I am now 1 of the MLP. Take the rest you deserve, but remember you will still be a Hero for the MLP. Good luck and hope that when MLP is elected you will be the President of Malta so you will be rewarded.
tony abela
Mar 10th 2008, 17:34
Thank you Dr Sant for your hard work within the Labour Party and for the good of the Nation.
People will miss you when it is too late.
Not only the Labour Party lost, but Malta lost, too
D Fenech
Mar 10th 2008, 17:20
Problem with Alfred Sant is that he simply has no charisma! It is not his fault but it is an essential factor in modern politics. Look at Obama! Also he is too pig headed for a leader! It is good to be assertive but not pig headed! He also gave the impression of being power mad! Impressions matter! As for ONE media... It is brimming with non talented parrots! Lets start by calling a spade a spade. DR. Sant is an intelligent academic but he is/was not the right person for the job. He should have resigned 5 years ago. As things stand half the nation is traumatised! Sad to say but the responsibility for this is Dr. Sant!
M. Camilleri
Mar 10th 2008, 17:17
Mr Laviera worte: "The most honest and truly caring political leader Malta has seen for many decades". Calling a honest prime minister a liar, calling your oppenents as naive or other adjectives, does not show any sense of caring at all. Showing persistently your stubborness about issues, even when others tell you otherwise, does not show any sense of caring. Saying that you have the facts and documents about corruption, having had them for some time and waiting for an electoral campaign to bring them out, does not show any honesty. Having no guts and responsibility to go to the commission against corruption and to the police does not show any honesty. an honest person, when he has nothing to hide, must have the courage to come forward with all the evidence and not use it as a political wagon to gain more votes. This does not show any political leadership. People in the MLP know that they have been excluded from the Sant circle for the simple reason because they did not agree with him on his policies. people who still believe that the MLP is a good party, with good values and which is capable of governing this country with clear policies. AS lacked vision, clear policies which sometimes he himself found hard to explain when asked about them. The MLP should now make a very good choice: avoid another leader coming from the Sant circle. Otherwise the story will repeat itself. You need the likes of George Ablea, Lino Spiteri. If the MLP keeps the present administration it has nothing but the heirs of the Sant era, especially its Secretary.
Jurgen Cassar
Mar 10th 2008, 17:06
The news that Alfred Sant resigned does not surprise me. He now lost three consecutive elections and a referndum altough he believes he won it.
I wish Dr. Sant to continue serve the country and his party from his parliamentary seat. The labour party for sure would Dr. Sants contribution.
I was on that always criticised Dr. Sant's policy , but he can't shoulder the defeat by himself. There were other people in the labour party that did mistakes, even in the leadership.
Sping is coming , so it's time for Labour to do some Spring cleaning ....
Daniel Frendo
Mar 10th 2008, 17:04
This is the only one good decision you took dr Sant. I hope there will be NO U-TURNS!!!
J. Borg
Mar 10th 2008, 17:04
I never voted Labour (1st pref.) however I sincerely feel sorry for Dr. Sant.
Firstly he deserves everyone’s respect for the way he cleansed the MLP ever since he took it over.
He did not have an efficient team as the PN around him, thus his strategy seemed to be to take an opposite stand to the PN – thus the Vat in 1996, and the EU in 1998 and 2003.
In the last election he focused on corruption, but lost his chance, when he refused to face JPO – most probably considering his character, he wanted to avoid a heated direct confrontation with an ever-emotional JPO, and possible clashes between Labour supporters and the blokes accompanying JPO.
If the political establishment is still adamant to appoint politicians as presidents – then appointing Dr. Sant would be a positive move, considering the PN’s relative majority.
Now I just hope Joseph Muscat will consider contesting for Labour leadership.
David S Ganado
Mar 10th 2008, 16:55
C.G. nice words but remember Alfred Sant already resigned once but decided to go for it again! As for the odds being against him, I beg to differ - the odds were all against the PN; they had been in power for nearly 20 years and they faced a campaign of each of their candidates being targeted personally! In fact PN lost a large amount of votes whilst the MLP did not gain anything!!
David S Ganado
Mar 10th 2008, 16:48
Victor Laiviera is still living in Kukoo Land!! How can he blame the 'campaign' against Sant, when the whole electoral campaign from the MLP was a series of character assassinations with little substance!!
Alfred Sant got the message - he changed his party (but not enough) and meanwhile HE did not change!!! NO REGRETS my foot!!
Victor, its time you resigned also; it seems its time for you to change now - remember your great (ex) leader's words - Bidu Gdid!
Stephen Zammit
Mar 10th 2008, 16:41
Even though I do not agree with his policies, I think we should all recognise him as a very intelligent politician who changed the face of Labour party. Maybe labour still needs more change, but lets recognise the fact that a lot was achieved by Dr. Sant. well done.
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 16:39
Victor Laiviera - Why are you so sad about it? The man himself has no regrets!
Amanda Mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 16:38
Hey, Victor Laiviera - Missed you at Castille Place today! Corinne, my 5 & 7-year-old girls and I walked all the way from Pieta' to Valletta just to see you. How disappointing not to see you there! :)
John Abela
Mar 10th 2008, 16:25
I would like to very respectfully disagree with Mr Laiviera. Alfred Sant made numerous errors. At the end of the day many people prefered not to vote rather than vote for him. I am in my mid forties and I lived half of my life under a Labour government and the other half under the PN. Life under the Nationalists was immeasurably better than life under the MLP. Many people voted PN because they did not want Sant to be PM. It was Sant who said the EU Referendum did not count and then said that he won it. It was also Sant who introduced 33 taxes when he was PM after claiming the cost of living was high under the PN. The MLP needs a new modern leader who has the guts to apologize for the horrors the nation suffered under the MLP pre-May 87 and who does not spend 5 years in the opposition criticizing everything the PN do.
Dino Mifsud
Mar 10th 2008, 16:24
Thanks Dr Sant. Seems that majority doesn't think a zero tolerance to corruption should take precedence in this country. And if someone opens his mouth, his intention is only to throw mud. Hope to see you still in political scene you still have a lot to contribute to this country. Once again thanks for your contribution towards a more honest country
alfred mallia
Mar 10th 2008, 16:20
Thanks Dr Sant for your honesty and courage and truth.
chris sergio
Mar 10th 2008, 16:17
Alfred Sant is finally gone. Hhad he kept his mouth shut during the campaign, he might actually have been elected! Luckily he didn't! without him comes the BIDU GDID. We now need a strong opposition to keep this government in check, and even stronger media critics without a personal agenda. Tall order, but with a little help, it might just be all possible. And to all you bigwigs in PN, winning this election does not give you a right to make idiots out of the rest of us. I voted PN, but like many many others, will not do so again unless there is a great change among you. But MLP, please give us a decent choice!
Michael Falzon
Mar 10th 2008, 16:17
I suppose the Labour media will now be referring to Dr. Alfred Sant as the 'caretaker Leader of the Oppsition'!
Cedric Busuttil
Mar 10th 2008, 16:15
Any chance of hearing about Jason's resignation? Honestly, I don't believe it was Alfred the mud slinger!
C. Borg
Mar 10th 2008, 16:14
Although there were instances where I did not totally agree with some decisions he take, I must thank Dr. Sant for the great improvement he did to the MLP. He was also the man behind the opening of the first private radio and TV station in Malta and for the building of the new HQ.
Thanks Dr. Sant.
Avril Bonnici
Mar 10th 2008, 16:11
Such a brave and couragous fighter... The most honest of all the leaders ever...
fighted till the end although he found a lot of oppostion and currents against him...
He deserved loads better...
Thanks Dr. Sant for the impeccable contribute to the Labour Party, the Maltese Parliament and most of all to Malta!
David Grech
Mar 10th 2008, 16:07
He made a few big mistakes along the years e.g. EU but, given time, he might have made a better Prime Minister than Gonzi...
emma grima
Mar 10th 2008, 15:58
MLP needs a good clean up...starting from its head. Well Done Dr. Sant. for finally setting a good example.
MARK GALEA
Mar 10th 2008, 12:20
NO REGRETS!!!
Keith Damato
Mar 10th 2008, 12:12
Finally! Byee! Hope we don't see a U-Turn again!
C.G. Tarxien
Mar 10th 2008, 11:57
Although not a Labour Supporter, I sympathize with Dr.Sant. Being constantly denied a chance to lead the country take courage, and even more guts to recognise defeat and admit it.
The odds were against you, but you battled on bravely, so ... hats off to you Dr.Sant...a worthy opponent indeed.
el G.
Victor Laiviera
Mar 10th 2008, 11:39
So sad - and such a comment on Maltese society.
The most honest and truly caring political leader Malta has seen for many decades destroyed by a deliberate campaign of demonisation, vilification and character assassination.
Farewell Fred - you deserved much better.