Mark Micallef
Labour lifts media ban... inexplicably
PRediction!
The Labour Party's electoral commission lifted the ban it had imposed on the candidates in the leadership race late on Thursday evening, the same day the directive became public knowledge.
Earlier that same morning, the news started spreading that the MLP's vigilance and discipline board had muzzled the leadership contenders, instructing them to refrain from giving any comments to the media or face disqualification.
Later in the evening, the chairman of the electoral commission, Joe Falzon, is said to have phoned a number of the candidates telling them that the ban had been lifted.
Marie Louise Coleiro Preca commented on the ban in a press conference yesterday during which she officially added her name to the list of candidates, confirming that she had been contacted and told that the ban had been lifted.
On Thursday, she told The Times she would be forging ahead with her press conference - which she had announced before receiving the commission's directive - arguing that, unlike other candidates, she had never committed herself publicly to the bid before yesterday and, therefore, she felt free to make her announcement and then abide by the directive. The stand was apparently cleared with the commission.
Yesterday, she said she was glad the ban had been lifted.
It is still unclear why the commission changed its mind on the matter and Mr Falzon could not be contacted. However, Labour sources said it appears that there had been disagreement between the commission and the party's vigilance and discipline board.
The commission at first decided that candidates should have complete freedom to comment on any medium they liked but the vigilance board disagreed, insisting on the ban. On Thursday, the decision appears to have been reversed by the appeals board, whose members came under intense pressure from different party officials after news of the directive was leaked to the press.
One of the leading contenders, Joe Muscat also confirmed that he had been contacted by the commission's chairman, who told him that the decision had been reversed.
"I'm happy that common sense prevailed. I firmly believe that there should be an open debate and feel that all of the candidates being mentioned, and I stress, all, want what's best for the party."
Asked what he thought of the revelation made by George Abela that there were attempts to disqualify him from running for the election on the basis that he is not a delegate, Dr Muscat said: "I heard it on the news and I am totally against it and don't think George Abela should be banned from running on a technical hitch".
Nonetheless, Dr Abela told timesofmalta.com he had not even been informed that the ban had been lifted. Neither he nor the other two contenders, Michael Falzon and Evarist Bartolo, could be contacted for further comments.
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saviour cachia
Apr 6th 2008, 21:55
Welcomed comments from Joseph Muscat. I presume all the members of the Labour Party want is a fair contest on an equal ground to all.
Come on Joseph and co. pull up the rope together and make a collective efforts for all things being equal to all and paid up members will take part in the voting process.
My friend you are being mentioned as favourite, so the onus is bigger on your shoulder to eliminate any doubts that you are being pushed by some members of the hierachy to the top seat.
All the Labourites want is a man that come 2013 will have led the MLP back to power. No below the belt moves and hanky panky will give the most needed credentials to the elected to be leader.
I think most of the labourites look forward to have a new leader elect on a wider base and most of all a clean process that will be of no advantage to any of the contestants.
For the party, it is the moment of truth. So why does not any one of you vying for the contest take the lead so collectively all the contestants see that none is done that may put shady tinge on the process.
This being done, I again wish luck to all and may the best person win after the delegates and paid up members have had their say.
alfred agius
Apr 6th 2008, 14:25
Bill Millam, viva il-partit makkjavelljan nazzjonalista, you should say. But do you know who Macchialelli was and what now stands for? Do grow up or else join cr-baby pullicino orland.
Christina Borg
Apr 6th 2008, 01:38
Calm down guys ... Ban was a misprint!
Joseph Grech-Attard
Apr 5th 2008, 18:48
I still cannot understand this mentality of blacklisting U-turns?? Who doesn't? gonziPN? The world religions, including our Catholic Church? Woe to those who, when the time comes for them to change, become stubborn and continue on the same path. Many scream for change and then, when the change comes, attack with U-turns!! What hypocrisy!! And, by the way, Mr Mark Tanti, there is an abyss between the problems of electing a new leader in the MLP and the problems of ADT, MTA, MEPA, etc under a gonziPN adminstration. At least in the former, so far, there have not been allegations of corruption and nipotism. It's an open fight, as should be. If this comes to a split in the Labour Party, why not? But that could be a huge problem then for gonziPN!! Myabe MLP should really consider it as well!!
JOHN SCERRI
Apr 5th 2008, 17:48
Looks like this 'gonzipn' buzz word coming out of Labour supporters outlived Dr.A Sant who was the one who invented it.
It was one of the many little things that did not work.
We are a month after the election - the fever should have come down to normal.
We have a MALTESE GOVT not 'gonzipn' and a Maltese opposition .
Both have the duty to serve the people who put them there .
Chris Tonna
Apr 5th 2008, 17:27
It cannot get more blue than 49.3%
Joseph Grech-Attard
Apr 5th 2008, 15:49
MS Sacco I do believe that in politics party affairs and governance of a country should differ....the country SHOULD come first., to the detriment of the party if need be. But, of course, in many countries, here foremost, it is the reverse. Good prophets are most of the time rejected in their country.
Bill MIllam
Apr 5th 2008, 15:17
Kummiedji wahedhom! Keep it up, Malta Losers Party and at this rate you are guaranteed that come next election in 2013 and you guys will be voted in Opposition once again!
Viva l-Partit Glorjuz Nazzjonalista
mark tanti
Apr 5th 2008, 14:35
You are still the party of U - turns.
All these moves are intented to keep George Abela out of the leadership race. Without George Abela as MLP leader the chances of another victory for the PN might become true. Mr Grech Attard the problems are in your party and not in Mistra ,in the ADT or MTA. Labour should handle this leadership election very carefull and give George Abela the same treatment as the others contesting this election.Mr Grech be carefull because this time a split in the MLP might occur.
doris sacco
Apr 5th 2008, 11:47
Mr.Grech Attard, with all due respect, I beg to differ. Just imagine the MLP 2008 version had won the election and is in governance of these fair isles....and is reversing mistakes already!!!!!
Jason Spiteri
Apr 5th 2008, 11:43
It'd be interesting to know whether this Vigilance Board takes decisions on the basis of a written and defined code or whether they pull things out of a hat.
Joseph Grech-Attard
Apr 5th 2008, 11:21
I think that this ultra-emphasis on such a common-place incident of reversing 'mistakes' is being done to deviate the public from much more serious allegations within gonziPN, like Mistra, MEPA, ADT, MTA, etc! It reminds me so much of "Much Ado About Nothing." with apologies to William.