A young leader for Labour (1)

Following the Nationalist Party's razor-thin victory, Labour is once again sitting on the opposition benches. I recall the defeats of 1998 and 2003, where doom and gloom prevailed for some time within the MLP headquarters - of course, this is quite normal, after one sees all the work done fade away.

However, this time round, a positive, forward-looking attitude is already prevailing among Labourites, especially party delegates. The prospect of electing a new leader is enticing new blood and energy towards the party and its members are eager to start reconstructing the party, making it fresh and electable once again.

As expected, several potential candidates for the top job were mentioned, but Joseph Muscat's candidacy has struck a chord nationwide.

Dr Muscat is the right person at the right time to lead the party. He has what it takes to fulfil the job as a young, energetic party leader ready to change the party and the island.

His charisma, smiling face, easy-going character and political beef are all pluses. With him as leader, the PN will lose one of their most powerful arguments against Labour, namely the cliché that the party is against the EU. What was previously the party's Achilles heel can be transformed into one of Labour's most important assets. No one can question Dr Muscat's European credentials, as he has been one of the most successful Members of the European Parliament in recent years.

Some will obviously question his age. They will say he is inexperienced. However, one should only take a look around what is happening abroad and read the profiles of successful world leaders. For example, following a string of defeats suffered by the UK Labour Party at the hands of the Tories from 1979 to 1992, the party's revival occurred only under Tony Blair who was just 40 when he took over the leadership. And in the US, Bill Clinton became Governor of Arkansas at 32, while the current Democratic front-runner for the Presidential nomination, Barack Obama, was elected Senator at 41. Hence the age factor is only a superficial argument. Come the next election, Dr Muscat will be prepared to become prime minister at 39.

Thus for the sake of a substantial quality leap for Labour, I appeal to all party delegates to back Dr Muscat in his leadership bid for the good of the party and the country.