Charles Cassar, Fgura.
Inspirational Labour leader
As a Labourite and a member but not a delegate of the party which I have followed since my youth, I feel that I have the right to express my opinion about who is best to lead the party towards the next election.
I also feel a responsibility to make this judgement public and appeal to the delegates or those who will choose the leader of our party on June 5.
I have no hidden agendas and the only contender so far whom I am familiar with and consider as one of my friends is not my preference. I am saying this to confirm that my choice is based on the best person that I think will give us a competitive advantage over our opponents; the person who for many years showed the leadership skills needed for us to increase our share of votes and not the person whom I am the mostly associated with. This is the way delegates need to make their choice. Meritocracy should prevail and nothing else.
The Labour Party is lucky to have people like George Abela ready to take the helm. All the other contenders are valid but Dr Abela's experience, charisma, intelligence, diplomacy and the convincing manner in which he communicates with all stakeholders, supersedes that of the others.
His age is not a barrier since what matters is how you think and manage.
Malta's main leaders are very experienced. Lawrence Gonzi and Archbishop Paul Cremona are in their late 50s and early 60s but are still good leaders who appeal to people of all walks of life. Labour needs that leader who is able to build bridges with people and entities who in the past two decades didn't support the party.
Dr Abela's vision on EU membership is crystal clear and he will have no objection to criticising wrong decisions taken by the party over the past few years.
The fact that he chose to leave the party prior to the 1998 election confirms that he is the right man. He wasn't a yes man and he has been proved right. Others have confirmed they were against that decision but didn't have the ability to say no.
Moreover, Dr Abela quit but never stabbed the party or its leaders in the back. After the 2003 election defeat, he was also ready for the leadership race. However, Alfred Sant then withdrew his resignation.
Let's all hope that this time round the party delegates make the right decision.
This is our chance to re-unite the party. I am sure Dr Abela will be ready to collaborate with each and every person prepared to give his honest contribution to the party. There will be no place for conflicts within the party and where needed, change must take place. People like Joseph Muscat, at the age of 35, will have the opportunity to work closely with Dr Abela so that the party will also guarantee the best successor to him in less than 10 years' time.
As an honest party member I sincerely wish to see this scenario after June: Dr Abela as leader together with one or two of the other contenders as deputies. All these are valid, but not as leaders. Many agree that this is the right equation but it may be impossible to achieve since the delegates won't choose Dr Abela.
But if we know that this is the winning formula why shouldn't we choose it? It will not be easy to win next time so we can't afford to make any more mistakes. George Abela may be our saviour.
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N Sciberras
Apr 11th 2008, 23:23
As an ex MLP voter,I really believe that Dr Abela has an edge on two of his rivals....The others are far behind.He has the right credentials that can get people like me to vote Labour once again.
Nathan Young
Apr 11th 2008, 20:23
If he wishes to lead the Labour Party George Abela should get his priorities right. He says that he puts his Wife first,the GWU second and the Party third. I agree with putting his Wife first,but Malta should have preference over the union and the Party.
Mario Gauci
Apr 11th 2008, 18:17
I agree with what George Caruana expressed. I find it very strange that whilst Dr. Muscat was speaking on Dissett (TVM) Super 1 did not show the scheduled programme. As soon as the said speaker finished, Super 1 decided to show Gizelle. Strange indeed. Transparency? Never! Labour cronies have already made up their mind who they want to be their leader. I guess this party never changes!
G.C.Forte
Apr 11th 2008, 17:47
Everybody has his opinion on this matter, and I am sure that somehow we are all agreeing that we should have a good leader,and I am positive that we will have what we deserve,but it is not just a leader we need, but a whole good team, and that is one of the problems.The biggest problem our party has(and never tackle it) is that the other party the P.N.always assassinate the character of our leaders and that is a fact.With Dr.Sant you never win the general election.Was it true? Dr.K.M.B use to call him Zero,is he a zero person? crucify him (salbuh)use to tell Dr.Mintoff. Whoever will be the leader should keep this in his mind,and with the help of all the team he will have; will give us victory
Alex Ellul
Apr 11th 2008, 16:19
It seems that the TOM letters' section is being turned into an MLP discussion chat-room. I am not complaining. What irks me is the fact that MLP exponents in turn get hot under the collar if non-MLP sympathisers try to join the 'WHO-MAKES-THE-BEST-MLP-LEADER' discussion.
Alfred Grima
Apr 11th 2008, 14:21
Can Mr C.Cassar explain to us the delegates the crystal clear vision of Dr G.Abela re-EU issue, prior 1998 election and afterwards?
Charles J Buttigieg
Apr 11th 2008, 14:19
Charles, I agree with some of your observations,I tend to agree with some others but I totally disagree that only one of the candidates has got the ability to save our party.
Firstly,Labour is not sinking,a mere negative variance of 790 does not make us weak and the others strong. Party-support-wise, between 1971 and 1981 we were in the exact and actual rating position as the PN are now.
This however does not mean that we are not in a dire need for soul-searching-vigil and a good overhaul to our party,but we are not sinking.
The days of political idol worshipping are now a thing of the past,these are modern times and big institutions are managed by young and modern leaders distanced from old time systems of management and aided by equally qualified colleagues capable to take over the chair at a moments notice.
If I were a party delegate I will have no serious difficulties to accept and even vote for any of the contenders.
Having said that,I still maintain that in the pack we have an outstanding candidate with the best qualities to lead a modern political party but the rest are almost equally equipped.
May our best person wins.
Joe Mizzi
Apr 11th 2008, 13:47
Labour needs a leader who would consolidate the 47.9 per cent who voted Labour in the last elections, while at the same time attract floating voters who abstained from voting, to vote Labour next time round.
In my opinion, George Abela is capable of managing the latter, but will fail miserably in the former. That's why I think any other contestant who has come forward to contest for the Leadership post will do a better job than Abela. Many Labourites would not trust those who turned their back on the Party in the past.
danny attard
Apr 11th 2008, 10:47
If Lawrence Gonzi is such a good leader who appeals to people of all walks of life, than why should we want to replace him? This continues to be an argument put forward by the pro-Abela camp that puts me off track. And how can we earmark a person to become leader in 10 years time? Who knows who will be around at the time and what circumstances may prevail. I want a Labour Government because I feel that this Government needs to be changed soonest with a credible option for the better interests of Malta. If a new labour leader does not see this, than what are we proposing? a smile contest?
George Caruana
Apr 11th 2008, 09:49
Dear Charles, if you managed to switch channels between TVM (during Disset) and Super 1 last Tuesday, you would understand why MLP is going to disappointment you.