A face without a soul?

Labour delegates have no other option but to seriously contemplate how to turn a new leaf and make their party a political organisation that is relevant to the demands and expectations of the people. The MLP does not really need a facelift or a makeover through the appointment of a new face at the helm. The delegates' task is much tougher than that. Soul searching is perhaps the best description of their obligation to assess the current state of affairs within the party following the third consecutive electoral defeat.

I do not see any reason to redefine the party's ideology or to rediscover its own origins but I strongly feel that the MLP should redimension its core structures and political policies in order to set the record straight with the electorate in that it fulfils the aspirations of our modern society on the basis of the values promoted by the European Socialists of today.

The key factor that shall inspire their "new beginning" is the concept of being inclusive. It's a question of complete detachment from the distant and not-so-distant past and its commitment towards a visionary and a long-term forward-looking sense of direction. Singing the same old songs with a new soloist emerging from the same choir won't make any difference in the long term. That would only serve as a routine maintenance check. What the MLP needs is a drastic overhaul, now more than ever before!

The biggest mistake the MLP delegates could commit is to bury their heads in the sand and let their emotions run faster than their brains. Their resistance to change could turn a golden opportunity for renewal or revival into a dreadful experience leading to political suicide. The future of the party is at their mercy. Their participation in the election for the party leader, deputy leaders and the administration officials will not only determine the political careers of the individuals contesting the elections but will predict the future prospects of the party as a leading political institution in our democracy. The delegates' vote is not just an expression of trust by a party representative towards a party official. The outcome of the election process itself is not an internal party affair. The delegate has the privilege to elect the party leader who, once elected, is expected to become a potential Prime Minister in waiting.

The leader of the party is not there to chair the executive meetings and play the role of facilitator within the structures of the organisation. The role of the party leader expands far beyond the confines of the headquarters. The duty of the delegates is not to elect "their" leader but to choose the best possible contender who could generate the widest popular support and attract admiration and who possesses all the necessary attributes to lead the country and its people. Once elected the new leader has to project himself as the man of the people and not as the party man anymore.

During the forthcoming elections, the delegates have to bear in mind that their right to vote is vested in them as representatives of the grassroots and, to a certain extent, as representatives of a large segment of our population. Their vote is not a personal vote. The delegates were elected by the members and, unless the members themselves are given the opportunity to express their will during the leadership elections, they are obliged to consult with their members in some way or another prior to casting their vote.

The delegates are the guardians of the real interest of the party and they should never allow any foul play during the voting process let alone taking part in dirty lobbying, block votes or in any form of dishonourable dealings. The delegates are intelligent enough to cherish the values of integrity and fair-play.

It was a wise decision to allow the delegates ample time to evaluate the situation and make up their minds with intelligent considerations and objectivity. However, they have to resist the temptation of being brainwashed with half truths and unfair criticism levelled at particular contestants. The people outside the party are expecting the delegates to make the right choice in electing a credible and trustworthy leader. The members of the party, whether they are active or passive, are exerting pressure on the delegates to ensure that their decision would not render their party an irrelevant political force destined to occupy the opposition parliamentary seats for more than a quarter of a century.

It is indeed an interesting but rather difficult time for the party delegates. They have to distinguish between their personal motives and the party interest; their emotions and their intelligent thinking; their immediate pains and their long-term gains; their exposure to undercurrents and their commitment to rise to the occasion; their sympathy for a charming guy and their trust in a credible leader.

Their choice, our voice! That's the spirit entrusted to the delegates by party members, supporters and the public. Turning a deaf ear to these sentiments would render Labour a face without a soul!