UPDATED: Michael Falzon announces leadership bid
Michael Falzon, deputy leader of the Labour Party, formally launched his bid for the party leadership this morning, saying his slogan will be “Experience and Loyalty, Together for Success”.
Dr Falzon told a press conference that he wished to lead the MLP to electoral success within five years. In the intervening period, he wanted to strengthen the party, removing any perception of factions and making it more inclusive. The party, he said, had to be better able to attract the best minds and the most successful people.
He promised that he would be tolerant to criticism, whether internal or from outside the party, and said that while he had many ideas on how the party could grow, he would prefer to stick to discussion, in line with his slogan of moving to success “together".
Dr Falzon said he had been a labourite all his life and had always been loyal.
Replying to questions, he said that on vote-counting night, he had had a responsibility to the country to concede defeat, once that was clear.
He said he would not intervene in the argument over whether party members should join delegates in voting for the party leader.
Dr Falzon, who was accompanied by his wife and children, said he did not intend contesting for any other post other than that of leader. Should he fail to be elected, he will serve loyally in parliament but will move out of the leadership.
Michael Falzon was elected party deputy leader five years ago, having previously headed the MLP’s campaign office. He stood for parliament for the first time on March 8 and was elected from two districts.
47 Comments
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Louis Fenech
Apr 18th 2008, 19:33
I have no particular choice in this race as long as it`s not george Abela. He ` s just an opportunist who re-appeared after a long 10 years holiday. Vote George Vote PN!
John Tanti
Mar 31st 2008, 19:26
Being a big party is simply not enough. We, Labourites, no longer want to be considered as second best.
It is my opinion and that of many others I know, that with Michael at the helm of the party, we will once again win the majority of the Maltese.
With his charisma and leadrship qualities, Michael is certainly the BEST!!
Joseph Borg
Mar 31st 2008, 13:59
I can only vote for MLP if Michael Falzon be elected leader. He is a moderate man that can talk without hate
Joe Vella
Mar 31st 2008, 12:31
Andrew Sciberras, I cannot understand why being taken back by P.Busuttil comments. Anyone reading your post, with 2 cents worth of sense, would have concluded the same thing. All there was left to do in your post is to name Josegh Muscat by name.
Joe Vella
Mar 31st 2008, 12:22
Charles Buttigieg, you are smelling a rat through your ignorance.
Gabriele Tonna
Mar 31st 2008, 11:08
David Gatt (1 day, 8 hours ago)
To all PN supporters (the ones that will vote PN no matter what) : We don't care about your advice in appointing the MLP leader. We know that your only interest is to remain stuck to power and so we surely wont take any advices fro you.
If I were a Labour Deputy I would make sure to avoid voting anyone that the PN gurus are suggesting. We all know how much the PN die hards wish Labour well.
PS> This message is not addressed to true MLP supporters, floaters and moderate PN followers.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oh David Gatt you haven't learned... I am sure you are a die-hard Labourite who doesn't care what people say, suggest, or whatever. PN supporters who wish Michael Falzon well cause he appeals to them, could be the voters who - in 5 years time- vote for Labour. Open your mind and stop having an attitude... it will take you nowhere! .
A Cassar
Mar 30th 2008, 18:15
dear Mr Hewitt let the choice for the next leader be taken within MLP. Of course people like you have no interest in chosing the leader that will put you in opposition. I am sure that as soon as the MLP leader will be chosen there will start a new character assasinatin of whoever he/she will be. But now we have got used to their destructive politics. instead of discussing factual based they start saying horrifying statement trying to instigate terror. 'Ma x biza jekk jitla l Labour!'
James De Giorgio
Mar 30th 2008, 12:41
Ah well, Michael Falzon's not bad. But honestly MLP needs better. George Abela is MLP's best bet.
MLP has to widen its appeal. For floaters and moderate PN supporters, having a deputy leader under Sant becoming MLP leader isn't very attractive.
And certainly WON'T attract new votes.
Wayne Hewitt
Mar 30th 2008, 01:39
Michael Falzon is the ideal candidate to help the MLP remain in opposition for the next 100 years...
Lawrence Vella
Mar 30th 2008, 01:27
A urge delegates to first make a shortlist of candidates and then their your choice.
The electorate will in time make up its mind and confirm the choice as being the right or wrong one.
I have known and respect two candidates Michael Falzon and Joseph Muscat, the character of both men is beyond question they have a fire in the gut and a passion for both Country and Party.
I do not have a vote so I have to leave the choice to the delegates with a warning that whoever is given the burden of office is given that burden full support and knowledge that the country's and the party's interests are best served by that choice.
Malcolm Seychell
Mar 30th 2008, 01:19
Dr Falzon always stated that Mintoff was crucial for Malta after WW2, but also was very honest that Mintoff did some mistakes.
The tradituri are Sant puppets. Thanks to him for the last 20 years we practically had no opposition who can confront directly the PN.
Today I saw Dr Falzon on One News. He said that he always remained loyal to the party, although he did not agree on certain issues. One of them being the call for an early election in 1998.
If their is one person to blame for the defeats and misery of MLP is Dr Sant and his yes Sirs who are paid thousands from the (ftit minghand il hafna).
David Gatt
Mar 30th 2008, 00:51
To all PN supporters (the ones that will vote PN no matter what) : We dont care about your advice in appointing the MLP leader. We know that your only interest is to remain stuck to power and so we surely wont take any advices fro you.
If I were a Labor Deputy I would make sure to avoid voting anyone that the PN gurus are suggesting. We all know how much the PN die hards wish Labour well.
PS> This messaged is not addressed to true MLP supporters, floaters and moderate PN followers.
saviour cachia
Mar 30th 2008, 00:04
I would like to put Charles Buttiegieg mind at rest, that I am not a victim of any ploy being put forward by the Nationalist Party for us Reds to have a leader to their liking.
The PN had enough of that since 1998, when the Malta Labour Party plunged straight on to a general election despite all indications that the Reds were certainly going to be losers.
Come on, putting aside certain warning spelt within the party, and having quite a section of labourites really offended to what have been attributed to is-salvatur Duminku Mintoff'' how could we expected otherwise. I happened to have lived both the sixties, seventies and eighties and putting all in the balance, I should say that the Sant-Vella-Abela leadership did wonders to regain power. But unfortunately the attitude used with Mintoff was completely wrong and I think history will show that il-Perit was pushed into voting against his own party.. because for him certain things and proposals were much too much, considering the way il-Perit Mintoff lifted the working class in the seventies.
The same story repeated itself in 2003, when with the majority of the maltese and gozitans showing themselves in favour of membership of the European Union, but the leadership then deemed fit that the party should carry on the course set for partnership and not full membership.
I am very interested to know how come the MLP only now is admitting that there are a number of paid up members with dual membership, both with the MLP and PN. Can the this number be quantified? Are they in a position to name them publicly? If not, sorry, it is hard to say it, but we must admit that the MLP did not have the mechanism to put our house in order, how could we ever expect to convince the electorate to choose the our party as an alternative government?
George Cremona
Mar 29th 2008, 22:09
Although I have great respect to all who have proclaimed their candidature for the MLP leadership and for whom I have and cannot have no vote because I am a PN member, I would prefer the ex-police officer to lead the MLP for many a reason not least for his commitment to fight firmly and courageously corrupt practices as he successfully did when he was still in the police force way back in the seventies and early eighties. Such a leader
would guarantee a cleaner party, cleaner elections and therefore a certain win for the MLP in the next general elections in five years time.
JOHN SCERRI
Mar 29th 2008, 21:46
Dr Michael Falzon - I wish him all the best - always says.... 'hadd ma hu ghar rimi'
I believe him.
I have a wish as a Maltese citizen NOT as any party supporter.... that ONE DAY whoever will be elected to the leadership of the Labour party will at last acknowledge that Dom Mintoff is not Malta's 'TRADITUR'
After many years everyone should now come to terms with the truth.
Although he is rarely mentioned by MLP, Dom Mintoff's charisma still lives on and the MLP today has the chance to settle issues with this person who was instrumental in post WW2 infrastructure and during the 70's for introducing social services, social justice, and abolishing poverty from our streets.
If it were not for Mintoff MLP would not even exist today.
It is true that he is not perfect , After all, who is ?
Yes he did make mistakes. - Who doesn't?
It is true he is stubborn, It is true he is what one might call ' his own man' ...It is also true that during his time whatever he did, in his own way, was in the interest of Malta and its people, but at least this person deserves to be acknowledged for his contribution to society .
I hope the new MLP leader will consider this proposal before it is too late.
We have a bad habit of giving praise after people are gone when we have the chance to make ends meet when they are still with us .
I am not a Mintoff supporter nor am I an MLP supporter.
I am only recognising what we as a nation should have the courage to.....Yes.....do as Dr. Falzon is stating and acknowledge that 'Hadd ma hu ghar rimi'.
Ruben Abela
Mar 29th 2008, 20:50
Prosit Philip Borg.
Wise words and well said. We will be hearing all sorts of bad comments and character assassination on each and every person who could declare his interests in working within or even with the MLP.
Everyone can pretend to judge one or the other but let's not forget that there is only ONE FINAL JUDGEMENT, i.e. when each one of us has to appear in front of God. There each one of us has to pay for what he done and said in this world!
C.Attard
Mar 29th 2008, 20:48
Alfred C. Gatt you are a moderate voter? Who do you wanna make fun of? You are repeating the same words net tv does. And what's wrong on being a hunter? I am a hunter and I am proud to be one. You are the kind of arrogance the people in Malta hate. Shame on you.
effie carbonaro
Mar 29th 2008, 20:36
oh gonzi is serious man.before thr election he knew nothing on jpo,mepa etc etc.one day after the election he had proof and ordered an investigations.honestly do you think gonzi is a serious man.michael the labourites gave trust in you and you failed.now it is the time you give a chance to someone new
Charles J Buttigieg
Mar 29th 2008, 20:10
All those that are promoting the idea of electing the new leadership through the party membership need to think twice.
No political party is logistically equipped to execute such a laborious operation. Looking at it sensitively the party will need almost the same resources as those used by the Electoral commission during a general election or at least a conservative estimate of 75%
It will be well neigh impossible to provide adequate security and I shudder to think of the consequences if there will be an allegation of foul play or the least suspicion of corrupt practices. The PN are very good in manipulating these situations and unfortunately some of our lot are prone to fall for them.
Our political system is based on the British, which works very well in the mother of parliaments. Since the inception of MLP,the British Labour Party was its inspiration with its tested and tried systems of administration. The British systems are also used in many democratic countries in the world.
British Labour and Conservatives elect their leaders solely through the vote of their respective party's MP. We went one better,we as well as the PN use our General Conference. Do we need to be more democratic than that and risk our reputation of fair play which will emanate due to logistical deficiencies? Think twice.Personally I am smelling a rat.
Malcolm Seychell
Mar 29th 2008, 19:31
The ole ole is nothing compared to the pathetic proposals made by Dr Sant and co, misprints int he manifesto, Vat, local councils, Europe etc etc
I have no doubt who you would like as an MLP leader.
Falzon, together with Abela are the only 2 persons contesting the leadership who cannot be blamed for the last 20 miserable years of MLP.
Patrick Busuttil
Mar 29th 2008, 19:30
Chris Vella, as usual labour supporters fail to understand that an honest suggestion to have a credible alternative to the PN, is only healthy for the country. We PN supporters believe in a healthy democracy. That's your problem you lack the vision for the country. However It's ok with me, continue to be serial losers after all, it's all your making. If you don't mind may I suggest to keep your Segretarju and eks president you will make our victory even more certain. I understand that you surely won't mind if they continue to keep their highly paid jobs despite all their failures.
I ask you to excuse me if I dared without any kind of interest whatsoever to make an honest suggestion which after all would beneficial for all the country.
Andrew Sciberras
Mar 29th 2008, 19:25
P. Busuttil wrote:
"Andrew Sciberras seems to have in mind a certain candidate that suits the interest of a certain faction in the MLP"
No I have in mind a certain candidate (or candidates) that suits the interest of both the MLP and Malta in their totality.
"Your new generation is nothing but the old masked as new. The same repeaters (secretary and former president)LOL pushing a new face."
With that mentality no one in the MLP is eligible because they all had some form of tie with the now resigned leader. Including Michael Falzon and George Abela.
"Do you really think that I will ever believe that the leadership race is fair when the party machine is already working behind your backs to push their candidate."
I don't know if this is true (unless everything In-Nazzjon says is Gospel) but it seems you are doing the same and you are from the opposing faction which is even more troublesome.
I appreciate your concerns but why, Mr. Busuttil are you so keen on pushing forward Michael Falzon and George Abela? It seems other PN machinery is doing the same.
I think all open-eyed people know what PN's agenda behind the MLP Leadership is all about in their efforts to push George Abela and Michael Falzon forward.
Joe Mizzi
Mar 29th 2008, 19:24
I am not a Labour supporter and would never dream of voting Labour but I have to admit and agree with some of the contributors here that Dr. Falzon showed great responsiblity when he had to accept electoral defeat on behalf of the Malta Labour Party when it should have been done by Dr. Alfred Sant himself.
Another thing I have to say is that when compared to other potential MLP Leaders, Dr. Falzon stands out for his approachability and for his willingness to dialogue with every political party. In fact I think he was involved in all the electoral reforms which required intense negotiations between the PN and the MLP.
ALBERT FENECH
Mar 29th 2008, 19:21
I do not wish to voice any opinion on the forthcoming choice of a new leader for the MLP, but sadly I see that the PN "christians" are already building up their hate and character assassination profiles. With Michael Falzon they have started the "soprano" jibes. As my friend Godfrey Grima correctly said when analysing the election result, these are all blows below the belt. So if we are going to start this personal ridicule system are we going to study the GonziPN MP's and slur who is short, gangly, fat and bloated, big-nosed and so on and so forth? Does this country want really serious political debate or do some of my fellow Maltese think they are so amusing that they have the rest of us splitting our sides with laughter? When are we going to grow up?
ALFRED S. GATT
Mar 29th 2008, 18:50
CLAIMING TO BE 'A LABOURITE ALL YOUR LIFE' IS NOTHING BUT A FRANTIC BLIP THAT WOULD GO DOWN WELL WITH LABOUR DELEGATES BUT SURELY SCARES OFF MODERATE VOTERS LIKE ME.
MALTA NEEDS A SERIOUS MAN LIKE GONZI AND NOT A HUNTER-FIREWORKS LOVER TURNED-LIONHEART WHO GETS CARRIED AWAY BY THE CHANTS OF OLE OLE. LEST WE FORGET!
Malcolm Seychell
Mar 29th 2008, 18:50
I wish luck to Dr Falzon.
He gave a really good example in Naxxar of tolerence and respect.
saviour cachia
Mar 29th 2008, 18:47
Michael I really welcome your decision to be amongst the contenders in the elections for a new leader of the Malta Labour Party.
You are a valid candidate and I like the way you expressed yourself about having the MLP more inclusive.
This augurs well, but allow me to stress that the only way this can be shown is that the party executive and parliamentary group witness wisdom and give a voice to the grassroots in the process.
Such a decison will be very welcomed and will give more strength to the hallmark of the Labour Party as being a progressive and avante garde party.
It is the responsibility of the party executive and parliamentary group to not mind so much who is forwarding such an idea. But before everything, if it is valid? If it is in the best interest of the party?And finally whether such a step will really prove that the MLP is set for a new beginning: giving a wider voice to the grassroots.
I can only say that if the party executive and the parliamentary groups is bold enough to take the step for the necessary changes in the electoral process of a new party leader, the paid up members will not only appreciate the trust invested in them.
But will frontrunners for a mature and responsible decison for the right man to be at the helm of the MLP for the coming years. This will augur well for the party to be led out of the stagnation it had to endure during these past years in which we labourites were kept out of governing our islands for three consecuitve general elections.
Members of the party excutive and parliamentary group do not betry or forsake us. United we stand, divided we fall. Let the party's and not personal interest be first and foremost.
P.Busuttil
Mar 29th 2008, 18:43
If I am not mistaken, Andrew Sciberras seems to have in mind a certain candidate that suits the interest of a certain faction in the MLP, who are fighting to keep their jobs. Grow up, certain people with exception of Falzon and Abela don't have the appeal to lure PN voters. Your new generation is nothing but the old masked as new. The same repeaters (secretary and former president)LOL pushing a new face.
Nationalists voters are shrewd they make their choice after serious consideration. Being modern and fresh in itself won't get you PN voters, its the policy, the perception that you are mature enough for to the job that makes you electable.
You believed that Sant would have won this election simply because after 10years people would vote him by default. You take voters for granted.
Do you really think that I will ever believe that the leadership race is fair when the party machine is already working behind your backs to push their candidate. The same people who cowardly accused Lino Spiteri will soon be in action again.
When will you understand that those of the Sant clan must be thrown out once and for all. Or else you will never win.
Election after election these people have mislead you and you still believe in them!!!!!!!
Martin Luther King once had a dream, now I also have a dream that one day the MLP will be a real alternative. However its seems an impossible dream since people within the party have at heart only their interests not the party or the country. You will never have our vote. Fortunately the PN is worthy of our trust and after all if you make the wrong decision it is to our benefit, although as an honest citizen I would prefer to have a credible worthy opponent.
Chris Vella
Mar 29th 2008, 18:20
Having read most of your comments below, I find it amusing that commentators the likes of P.Busuttil claiming to be PN voters 'suggest' that Labour should elect Falzon as party leader. Unless its a masochist party, since when did the PN give advice for the benefit of its opposing party?
Mario Cassar
Mar 29th 2008, 18:13
Let me be a socialist of honour as the party was and AM PROUD OF BEING ONE OF MANY. With Dr Falzon in leadership the socialist role in this counrty is an urgent need to eredicate all past corruptions lead by 20 years in PN government . Awguri Dr Falzon
David Borg Cardona
Mar 29th 2008, 17:50
Good luck Michael.. Labour need people like you to be at the helm !!!
Wistin Schembri
Mar 29th 2008, 17:42
Christina Borg,
Your comments are spot on.
It takes a lion's courage for an MLP bigshot to take over the word flimkien (ie including those with a defective DNA).
I hope that Dr Falzon, or whoever the new MLP leader , will use (not just utter) another word...bidla.
A new MLP will mean a better Malta.
Mike Magri
Mar 29th 2008, 17:10
Welcome to the race Dr. Falzon.. You posses all the credentials needed for an honest and CLEAN M.L.P.
Leader.
YOU SHOWED ALL THAT AT THE COUNTING HALL AT NAXXAR.. IT JUST TOOK A LOT OF COURAGE, MANHOOD AND GREAT AMOUNT OF LOVE AND LOYALTY TO ALL THE PARTY FOLLOWERS..
It`s true that Dr. Falzon instituted various libels against Mr. Saviour Balzan of the `Malta Today`... But do you know how many times, Mr. Balzan made allegations and or accusations against Dr. Falzon..??!!??!!
Now, apart from all that, i would also like to say, that Dr. Michael Falzon is a person who speaks from the bottom of his heart when it comes to defending party matters, and he never invented lies or accusations against anyone..
GOOD LUCK MICHAEL....
Andrew Sciberras
Mar 29th 2008, 17:00
Whereas I appreciate Dr. Falzon's efforts within the Labour party and the maturity he has shown in conceding defeat on March 9th I am critical about his leadership capabilities and his vision in the long run.
MLP needs a modern man or woman, that is constructive, progressive, positive, fresh, pro-EU and with a great dose of charisma. He needs to be able to unite the party and to reach out to all of society and the grassroots. Unfortunately I do not see all these qualities working together in Dr. Falzon.
I think it is time for the Malta Labour Party to hand over the reigns to a new generation of politicians.
I hope the delegates make the right choice when the time comes.
Christina Borg
Mar 29th 2008, 16:50
It will be decades before I can ever consider supporting a party that has no regrets for what it has done in the recent past, to my family personally but more so to the country. However, I must say that I admired Hon Michael Falzon for the way he handled the defeat at Naxxar, when he was deserted by everyone from his party. I tend to evaluate people on how they behave when they are at their most difficult moments. Hon Falzon’s performance, especially when compared to that of the MLP Secretary General, was dignified. So I wish him well, especially if he lives up to his motto of ‘together’ (flimkien). We of the defective DNA, who are not part of Justine’s family, who were made to fear the ‘lions of change’, and who were on Labour’s updated blacklist, look forward to an election when Labour would not be feared.
P.Busuttil
Mar 29th 2008, 16:41
Dear MLP delegates please read this sincere appeal by a PN voter, for once act in the best interest of your party, either elect as your leader Dr. Falzon or Dr. Abela. If you want to be electable you have no other choice.
All these rest that are being pushed for the position are not credible. Do you really believe that by placing an inexperienced youth who in 5 years will be not even 40 can attract PN voters!!!! We vote the person who manages to gain our trust as Dr Fenech Adami and Dr. Gonzi have done.
Having a young leader does mean you will attract first time voters by default. What kind of reasoning is this? To win you need to attract an amount of voters from the PN and the people who backed Alfred Sant don't have this appeal.
You lost because of their/your foolishness to present a leader that has made U-turns against U-turns, not in this election but in 1996, 1998 and 2003. I also believe that these people are trying to push their own candidate to safeguard their job within the party.
As a citizen of this country I can never vote someone who is to young to be a prime minister, who has not faced the electorate in this election (are you trying to make a new version of "Iz-Zero") The position requires maturity, responsibility and judgement. I neither want to safeguard the job of some arrogant, incompetent and incapable labour party official.
I admired Dr. Falzon especially at Naxxar, he has showed the qualities of a good leader and therefore a credible alternative to the PN. Its time the Labour Party give us such a choice or else close down.
PS- Come guys don't be so hard on the MLP its already difficult for them to accept that they are losers once again, the statement about the libel cases by Falzon against the Malta Today is unfair, everybody knows that Malta Today has more libel cases than readers.
Bill Millam
Mar 29th 2008, 16:05
While I really do not care for the MLP and what it stands for, Dr Falzon's comment that "he had a responsibility to the country to concede defeat, once that was clear" tells me that he seems like a gentleman of some substance and I truly wish him well in his endeavours to take the helm of the MLP. "Jien innehhilu l-kappell" to anyone who publicly respects and defends the people's right to vote and then respects their decision.
Good Luck, Dr Falzon.
alfred mallia
Mar 29th 2008, 15:22
i am sure that who ever is elected leader of the mlp will be hated by those who call themselves of the 'right' and those who call themselves 'chritiandemocrats'.
Philip Borg
Mar 29th 2008, 15:18
Barely an hour since my friend Dr Falzon spoke out that the usual vultures set their beaks twisting and chukling on attacking their supposed prey! Earlier this week they have have already orchestrated this same exercise on our Dr Joseph Muscat as soon as he spoke out.
I am not anyone to spell out what leadership skills are made of, but sure i know well that any future labour leader will have to capable of taking all the venom of those who believe, or rather pretend, that they are a superior race forever! What a big mistake! How miserbaly pretentious they are!
The wafer-thin relative majority (minority) they have squeezed is badly effecting their minds now... They can't see how resilient and strong Labour is and can be!
And yes, Labour is able and will select the best candidates for leadership, not only for the Party alone, but for Malta! We have always had the best leaders the country needed at any time of Maltese political history!
The character-assassination schemes that started with Dom Mintoff will not stop with Dr Alfred Sant! Catholic Malta had and will still have such schemers. They may be fed from public funds to proceed with their mission and walk free.
Some comments here on all things and people that are not within their circles of 'friends-of-friends' are just an appetizer. I have always believed that i will put nothing past such malicious schemers! Nothing! And very sadly so!
Charles J Buttigieg
Mar 29th 2008, 14:08
We have Michael,George, Joseph,Louise, Gavin,Varist,Anglu and possibly more. Spoiled for choice .
Joe Bezzina
Mar 29th 2008, 14:06
Dr. Michael Falzon is the only person that can steer the Malta Labour Party towards an electoral success in the next General Election. We all know how different from Dr. Alfred Sant he is and that he was never his blue-eyed boy. Dr. Falzon built his political career on his own and from scratch and he is where he is now only through his ability and perseverence. If Dr. Falzon is elected Leader of the MLP it will mean that the party will steer in a new winning direction. With Dr. Falzon at its helm the MLP will really be inclusive and change where it needs to change! With Dr. Falzon we will have a Leader of the Party and not the Party of the Leader any longer! Good Luck Dr. Falzon - may you win this contest and give new hope to the Labourites that have been suffering all through these last year!
P.S. Thank you for always being with us even in the hardest of times! You are a real Labourite and a real Gentleman!
Edward Cassar
Mar 29th 2008, 13:43
Instead of wasting time on discussing his merits as a potential participant in the Eurovision Song Contest, we should seriously consider this man's credentials. Suing for libel does not mean you are not open to criticism, but there is a limit for everything. The courts will say who was right. This man has shown his leadership qualities at Naxxar whereas the rest of the lions-cum-rats disappeared in the face of defeat. This man has the credentials to do fine withing the party. Now he must show he is also has potential to become a statesman and lead this country. Boys are not yet good enough despite their good looks and the force of 'incumbency' (pun intended). You need experience and Michael Falzon has got it.
L. Tonna
Mar 29th 2008, 13:30
As a nationalist voter, I think Michael Falzon is appealing. He demonstrates tolerence for criticism, something which the last MLP leader failed totally. He also seems to be a man of his word. Michael would certainly put PN in trouble in 5 years time. Lets all hope that MLP start trying to appeal to a wider spectrum of people rather than just the traditional hardcore labour voters. With Michael at the helm, this might be possible.
Kevin Sammut
Mar 29th 2008, 13:06
Dr. Falzon seems to be a nice chap, but what a waste! Instead of being the new labour leader he should seriously consider being a soprano with a great voice like that.
Charles J Buttigieg
Mar 29th 2008, 13:02
Welcome to the race Michael Labour will be enhanced with people like you and the choice is becoming more difficult.
Wish you luck
Your long time friend
Charles
J.Borg
Mar 29th 2008, 12:53
'tolerant to criticism' -
how many libels did Dr.Falzon file vs Malta Today??
C.Bonnici
Mar 29th 2008, 12:37
Michael Falzon speaking of: "removing any perception of factions" within the party? Is he joking or what?