Mark Micallef
Alfred Mifsud wants back in as Labour leadership race looms
Labour's former high-profile consultant Alfred Mifsud, a pariah for the past few years, has written to the party's vigilance board asking it to reconsider a warning it had issued against him in 2003 so that he would be able to rejoin the party.
His request comes in the wake of Alfred Sant's resignation as the head of the MLP and in time for the leadership contest that is expected to take place by mid-April.
His name is among those being floated as prospective candidates for the leadership contest, even if his absence from the party for so many years and the circumstances surrounding his departure would make him a rank outsider.
When contacted yesterday, he confirmed that people had approached him but insisted that it meant nothing. "The fact that one is approached means nothing, one has to be interested in such a post," he said.
But while he skirted the question of whether he was actually interested in the post, Mr Mifsud said he had written to the vigilance board in a bid to rejoin the party.
In 2003 the board had issued a warning against him following a series of articles he had written which were critical of the party and in particular of Alfred Sant. Following Dr Sant's resignation this Monday after Labour's third consecutive defeat at the general elections, he is now asking the board to reconsider its position.
"Time has proven me right," he said. "It is now clear that I was not at all trying to damage the party but was trying to avert more damage. I have now asked the board to reconsider the warning it had issued. After that, we'll see."
Echoing comments given by other Labour insiders, he said the party should not rush into the decision on the leadership.
"The party should be open to the people outside the party as well as those inside, both the Labourites and the electorate. The problem with the 2003 decision to reappoint Dr Sant after he had been rejected in the general election was that the decision defied the electorate, which is why Labour is in the position it is in today," he said. The race is wide open, with all of the mentioned contenders shying away from committing themselves. So far, the likely frontrunners appear to be Labour's deputy leader Michael Falzon and MEP Joseph Muscat, even though Evarist Bartolo, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Anġlu Farrugia and Karmenu Vella are also being mentioned persistently.
The latter was the only one to suggest that he would be keener on helping a new leadership rather than taking on the hot seat himself.
Ms Coleiro Preca, who enjoys wide support among Labour's delegates, said she had not decided yet but that she was giving the proposal serious consideration. "My primary consideration would be to help Labour win the election, so my decision to contest would be taken in this spirit and not as a step up in my career. Obviously I have to weigh that against the prospect of dedicating my life to this job," she said.
Similarly, Anġlu Farrugia confirmed that he had been approached but that he is still considering the matter.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party yesterday issued a statement announcing that the party's executive committee and parliamentary group is to meet on Tuesday to discuss and analyse the party's electoral defeat and to decide which seats are to vacated by MPs who were elected in two districts.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
18 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
JOHN SCERRI
Mar 16th 2008, 17:36
Dear martin borg.
The problem with some people like you is that you are so stubborn .
You refuse any form of advice because ,according to you, and i quote 'we've managed in the past and we'll manage in the future' unquote .
Yes sir you really managed , in Maltese meaning 'inqdejtu' just enough to get along but you did not reach your goal. - If you prefer remaining so, it's up to you. From reading Labour supporter's comments I foresee a split in MLP within the next 5 years.
We'll wait and see. I hope I'm wrong.
E. Aquilina
Mar 16th 2008, 16:33
Yes Martin Borg, I agree Labour's choice of leader in the last 20 years has been exceptional!
P. SChembri
Mar 16th 2008, 13:53
I wholly with Joseph Muscat's candidature. He's the ideal person to lead the MLP to an election victory in 2013. He has all the credentials. Of course it's on the cards that he'll be demonised by media not sympathetic with labour.
martin borg
Mar 16th 2008, 13:02
It is amazing how many kind hearted blue eyed boys and girls love to give Labour their advice who should be elected as leader of the party.
These same good hearted blue eyed christians will not find it hard later on to heap all sorts of lies and abuse on the elect.
Thank you but no thank you labour does not need your good intentioned advice we've managed in the past we'll manage in the future, what's needed is to convince more people to our cause.
S VELLA
Mar 16th 2008, 10:37
Regretfully the old New Labour has failed to attain credibility, confidence and positive results. I firmly believe that the Labour Party is in dire need to elect a leader with proven credentials, tangible results, and a mix of human and intellectual elements. So let's think and choose wisely. Let's each and every one of us examine carefully each and every candidate who is aspiring to be the leader of the party. I would certainly not welcome any contender who has either failed to lead the party to victory or a contender who has no idea of the fundamental beliefs of the party. This should not be a contestation for power and gain. The selected candidate should be catalyst to reunite the party, demonstrate compassion, ability and attain full trust from the Maltese people.
malcolm seychell
Mar 16th 2008, 10:23
Dr George Abela, Dr Michael Falzon and Mr Alfred Mifsud would be perfect for the leadership team.
JOHN SCERRI
Mar 15th 2008, 20:28
We are in Formula 1 racing season this weekend which brings me to think:
MLP will need a Driver who is as ambitious , consistent, credible, and capable as Dr.Gonzi or better !!
MLP will need a Team who is as capable and united together in harmony for winning 'WARS' not 'BATTLES' (metaphorically speaking) just as PN or better .
What a treasure hunt this is going to be !!!
Mario Genovese
Mar 15th 2008, 19:20
I believe that a new young face who already has a good proven record would be the only way to avoid a whole army of PN, press and media to demonise him, Not that I believe there would not be any attempts, but at least these might be restricted to the PN if the new incumbent will not have a long history, be it good or bad! We have already experienced this before. When Dr Sant was 'new' he won the elections outright - the media was somewhat less hard on him then!
A Tonna
Mar 15th 2008, 14:54
The MLP needs to select a clean and electable leader, one who is capable of convincing the floating electorate that the party is definately the only answer to bring your country out of ités social, economic and political mess. Looking from the outside I was bewildered to see the electorate voting for 5 more years of corruption, nepotism uncontrollable inflation and mismanagement. But then, I wasnèt there to follow yet another demonising and scaremongering campaign waged by the PN. Seems that the electorate falls for it every time.
I would put my money on Michael Falzon - he seems to be best all-rounder, and I think he can do a great job at bring the electorates expectation of the MLP to 1996 levels. Whoever is elected leader must remain calm, and conduct MLP's politics with a clear break from the Maltese divide-and-rule phenomenon. Your country is way too small for people to be hating each other because of politicians demonize each other to achieve their own power-hungry ambitions. You guys have way too much to do to bring Malta up to par economically with your EU peers to be fighting amongst yourselves.
Time for the common people to realise they are not pawns to be use in 5-year cycles.
Maria Vella
Mar 15th 2008, 11:25
Notwithstanding the fact that most of the contestants are valid people, I strongly believe that Marie Louise Coleiro Preca person is the idle person to lead the party. Apart from the fact that she enjoys great esteem from people from all walks of life, she is the only contestant who has hands on experience on both party and parliamentary affairs. Her past and recent track records have proved her to be a dynamic person attracting most of the young voters and new voters that have identified themselves with the labour party.
Tony Sbabek
Mar 15th 2008, 11:01
Agatha Barbara was the first female president.Marie Louise Coleiro Preca would be the first female PM in LESS then 5 years.P.N will not last the 5 year term.
kenneth Spiteri
Mar 15th 2008, 09:33
Kontra qalbi...but the best option MLP to defeat Gonzi is outside MLP only George Abela can give a good run for the money to PN ...all inside the MLP right now are useless.....
think twice before you decide and think with your brains not emoition.....
John Camilleri
Mar 14th 2008, 15:17
The amount of persons willing to lead the MLP shows that no one is a cut above the others. Alfred Mifsud has no base in the MLP. The best bet will be Micheal Falzon.........but he needs also to control himself when facing large audiences. He tends to see the masses as a zoo full of lions!!!!
M. Brincat
Mar 14th 2008, 14:01
Whatever leader MLP gets on board, PN would try everything to demonise him.
I believe that Mr. Mifsud would be a valid contributor to the MLP's cause.
Andrew L Vella
Mar 14th 2008, 13:56
I believe that it is a choice which goes far beyond the male/female argument... I honestly think that Labour needs a new, young-ish face who would be able to give new impetus and ideas in restructuring and/or reforming and/or refurbishing the party so that it would really be able to present itself as a very viable option to the electorate.
I say this not just in terms of forthcoming elections, be they local or national ... but indeed for the whole 5-year mandate. I believe Malta needs a stronger, more dynamic and constructive opposition party in parliament so as to increase the quality of politics we currently have. There is so much more we as a nation can do, together.(oops, please excuse the pun :+) )
Mary Muscat
Mar 14th 2008, 12:41
Judging from ML Coleiro Preca's comments on TV as soon as she was elected, I think she'd make the most decent leader MLP has ever had.
martin Frendo
Mar 14th 2008, 11:21
how about giving a chance to a lady ? for sure Labour must come up with fresh and consistent ideas. maybe also rethink their structure set up too. avoid this "militant" board of Vigilance and come up with a more up to date transparent set up and agendas too..I would go for a female Leader for sure...
jane deguara
Mar 14th 2008, 09:46
i am not a fan of the Labour party but i would like to see either Marie Louise Coleiro Preca or Joseph Muscat there on top no affence to micheal Falzon as he also would make a good leader