Wednesday, 9th April 2008
Muscat admits yes vote won in referendum
Joseph Muscat yesterday recognised that "membership won" in the 2003 EU referendum.
In different circumstances this should hardly qualify as an admission but given the reticence of Labour's former leader to dwell on the matter, it constitutes the first such acknowledgement by a high-ranking MLP official.
Speaking on the PBS current affairs programme Dissett, Labour leadership hopeful Dr Muscat said that "with hindsight, considering what happened later in the general election, membership won".
He was being quizzed on his role in Labour's partnership campaign when he said: "I think on this issue the Labour Party showed it had democratic credentials because, after the people (had) decided, we accepted the people's decision and I worked tirelessly for this policy to be accepted and for our policy to be reviewed... If it's a question of whether partnership won or lost, with hindsight, given what happened later in the general election, membership won".
The statement contrasts sharply with the evasiveness of outgoing leader Alfred Sant, who even in the run-up to the March 8 general election refused to answer questions in this connection, saying the issue was for historians to judge.
A few months back, another leadership contender, Evarist Bartolo, had also made comments in this sense but his were in reply to the questions of a puppet on a satirical show.
Dr Muscat, who was interviewed along with his closest rival Michael Falzon, was critical of the comments made by Labour's secretary general Jason Micallef on Xarabank when he clearly took sides against the leadership bid of former deputy leader George Abela.
"I don't agree with what he said about George Abela," Dr Muscat said, moderating the comment by saying that he also understood that Mr Micallef was under pressure at the time and that he believed that he had a contribution to make to the party.
Meanwhile, the race entered a new phase after the party invited nominations for the posts of leader and deputy leaders, with the elections being held on June 5 and 12 respectively. The terms of reference for a special ad hoc group of five members that will oversee the contest were also published yesterday. The idea is for the group to manage the elections and ensure that no candidate is given an unfair advantage over the others.
It was in response to this issue that Dr Muscat - who is touted, along with Dr Falzon as being a leading contender - commented on Mr Micallef's attitude towards Dr Abela's nomination. "The process not only has to be transparent but should also be seen to be as transparent as possible," he said.
During the same show, Dr Falzon took a couple of subtle digs at Dr Muscat without mentioning him by name. He described the idea of having a long-term plan - Dr Muscat said he had a 15-year plan - as starting on the wrong foot given the dynamic nature of today's society, but was overall reluctant to go into specifics on most issues.
Again, he said he would not be making any "farcical" somersaults by contesting the post of deputy leader should he lose the leadership bid - something which was not excluded by Mr Bartolo in a recent interview in The Sunday Times.
RSS
Comments
NOW we are, at last ,realizing what our nation LOST when for two whole years the application for Malta to become an EU member was frozen by the Labour govt. and no one including Joseph Muscat + all the prospective contestants for leadership + all pro EU Labour high rank officials had the courage to question their leader's decision and say.... 'NO - don't do it !'
Yes we lost 2 years + more months until we reactivated the application - this is Fact.
I hope all will learn from these mistakes.
When a leader has no one around who will stand up and tell him/her.... 'you are taking the wrong decision' ....he or she will assume that all decisions being taken are correct .
That is why yespersons and/or apathy are the worst type of suppport one can have around the leader.
Now that a new legislature is to begin, let us take a leaf from Joseph Muscat responsible comments a start a new beginning.
Let us look forward and weigh all means both by Government and Opposition on how to consolidate what had been achieved since independence. Maybe the most credible sign is not to waste our human resources through sheer partisan interest. Let us make the most of our talents and perhaps this could be achieved by taking notice of all that had been proposed by all contesting political parties in March 8 general elections, and adapt it to our circumstances. This will boost chances to create more employments, welfare and while giving all the necessary help needed to those who unfortunately fell behind, reward the endeavour of others who thanks to their drive managed to move forward.
This should be the solid basis on which the political scenario for the next five years should develop, both in relations with the European Union and other countries with whom we can work together for the best benefit of the people of Malta and Gozo.
It is our duty to put our past behind us and with full solidarity look forward. Government and Opposition please take note. Positive attitude on both sides is perhaps the key for a more promising future.
He is different and courageous enough, to go where all the MLP hierarchy feared to venture. Do you seriously believe yourself when you say than an apology is a stunt?
So in your wise and humble opinion those “bunch of guys”, the Pope included, were not leaders when they asked for forgiveness but where looking for some spectacular act!
With friends like you the MLP doesn’t need enemies!
Dr. Muscat unfortunately already began on a wrong foot! He said he has a 15 year plan ready! Come on be serious. Today, as Dr. Falzon said yesterday on Dissett, you can bearly plan for the coming week as oil prices, interest rates and a number of other factors continuously change! So let us face reality and admit that although Dr. Muscat is a nice cap he is not bound to be Leader of the Party! The MLP needs someone who is completely different in style to Dr. Alfred Sant in order to have some hope of getting elected in the coming general election.
This is really a new beginning and augurs very well. At the moment all we need to hear is healthy proposals, being humble to admit mistaken strategies of the past, and raising the confidence in the electorate that by 2013, Labour will be the next government in the making.
A change of government will give a healthy sign that the people of Malta and Gozo wants to preserve a healthy democracy.
My friend Joseph, I have so far not manage to clarify one thing: whether we, paid up members, are going to be given the chance to have our say in the election of the new leader of the MLP.
In my opinion this is a bold step that will infuse new enthusiasm, enhance the party's credibility that everybody is going to be given the chance to give his share in the strategy needed to win the 2013 election.
There can only be one leader, but it would pay to be in constant consultation to those intending to run for the position to lead. No doubt, every contenders has his or her valid contribution to give to the party and so in the interest of the party and the whole people of malta and gozo let us not take the attitude that the winner takes all.
The party needs a unifier for the different factions within the party and a trusthworthy leader to inspire us all to give our best to reach our ultimate goal in 2013.
Yes Joseph, good suggestion for both MLP and PN to apologise for perhaps illicit actions taken in the past.
Let us really give a new beginning to our new generation, perhaps using more wits than brawn, and a clear message that if we sta.
You are the only one so far who is ready to apologies for wrong doings committed by the party, as aired yesterday in Dissett; others got closed but kept away from total commitment.
You have also said that the PN should apologise for things done in the 60’s. If my memory serves me right the PN Prime Ministers, Mr F. Adami & Mr L.Gonzi, both apologised for past mistakes.
Wish you & the other contestants a fair election.