The way forward for Labour (2)

Change is the solution to our problems and by change we mean real change, a change from top to bottom. We need new energy, new ideas, a new way of doing things. We need a new beginning in order to achieve the success that we desire. This was the message which Labour and its media machine propagated during the electoral campaign, apart of course from the whole mudslinging campaign. Labour ran on the theme of change because according to Labour our country was not achieving results.

Yet the only one not achieving results is Labour which once again saw itself facing defeat. Indeed it seems Labour's only hope of ever claiming victory is in a local council election where voter turnout is low as some choose to stay at home rather than go and vote. Some within Labour have argued that Labour did indeed reduce a huge PN majority into a slim one, but such arguments are merely hiding away from the truth; Labour, for the third time running was given a no confidence vote by the Maltese electorate. Many would have thought that given such facts Labour would have embarked upon a plan for a new beginning for itself. Many would have thought that Labour would have started to work on being able to start on a clean sleet.

However, as the days after the general election keep passing by, the only resignation we've seen from the Labour administration is that of its leader Alfred Sant. Wasn't Labour a party of "Labour United" or was it united only in times when victory seemed possible if not probable?

Instead we've seen a blame game like never seen before. Accusations flying from one side to another and the blame of defeat being tossed around like a ticking time bomb. Dr Sant was right to resign; his record as Labour leader is grim to put it mildly but he should not remain alone. Was he the only face to Labour's campaign? What about certain key people within the Labour Administration holding key and sensitive posts? Up till a few weeks ago Labour was telling us that the only way was up and this through a plan for a new beginning. If the only way towards going up is indeed through a new beginning, may Labour take its own advice and seek real and meaningful change and not merely a cosmetic change of having some other name instead of Dr Sant but little else being different.