Sunday, 13th April 2008 - 12:31CET
Updated: George Abela appeals for unity among Labour supporters
George Abela, one of the contenders for the leadership of the Labour Party, has pledged to unite the party and make it the “natural choice” for the electorate in future general elections.
Addressing a sizeable crowd at the Regatta Club, Dr Abela said he had always worked for unity within the party and when he disagreed, he simply stepped down.
During the meeting, which lasted just over 90 minutes, Dr Abela insisted that his primary aim is to change the general perception of the party and portray it as the “natural choice” for voters.
Until now, he said, the perception was that the Nationalist Party was the people’s natural choice to the detriment of the MLP, which had suffered “defeat, after defeat, after defeat”.
Dr Abela, who was given a standing ovation before he started his, spoke at length against the “factions” within the MLP and the various “cliques” supporting one person and not another and said he would work to stamp out all divisions.
“This mentality has to change. We cannot continue talking about those inside the Labour fortress and those outside. We have to talk as one team, with one voice and one vision. I am one of those fighting from outside this so-called fortress and I will work to bring down the obstacles that cross my path. The MLP needs competent and consistent people,” he said, to loud applause.
Dr Abela also made it a point to clarify what had happened in 1998 when he resigned from MLP deputy leader after the party chose to call an early general election.
“I want to clarify this story, which is being given a spin to my disadvantage. I never agreed that it was time for an early election and I was never shy to express my conviction,” he said.
“We are still suffering the consequences of that mistake. I never agreed with how the party dealt with the (former Labour Prime Minister Dom) Mintoff issue. Back then, I had said these words: ‘I have to stop here’ and that is where I stopped. For 10 years I have suffered in silence. I have suffered seeing you suffering,” he said.
The MLP was now at the crossroads and did not only need a change but a leadership that was accountable, credible and offered continuity and peace of mind.
“Our party cannot afford to lose again and it cannot afford to get its choice of leadership wrong. Certain policies have to change and we must do away with the cliques, which have never been of any benefit to the party. We must be united and inclusive. We must open our doors to everyone,” he said.
He also spoke about his idea for wider voter participation in the choice of the party’s new leader.
“Whether this idea is accepted or not, I will still offer my candidature for the election,” he said, warning people not to be scared to be seen as his supporters.
Among those who spoke during the event were newly-elected Marlene Pullicino and Adrian Vassallo. Ms Pullicino said the party needed someone like Dr Abela to bring unity.
Concluding the meeting, Dr Abela said: “I am not telling people to vote for me. At this stage, I am saying people have to use their heads not their hearts to make this important decision”.
“No one is excluded as long as they want to work with us. Be courageous. This decision is important for the party’s future. We do not have to choose who is popular today but who will continue to remain popular, even in five years’ time.”
See also: My obstacle race - The Sunday Times interview with Dr Abela in the interview section of this website.
Photo caption
A section of the audience at Xatt ir-Risq, Cospicua, which had to listen to Dr George Abela on the wharf as the Cospicua Regatta Club hall was packed.
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Comments
In an interview to this printed paper, you have stated, "The biggest lesson I've learnt is that there are no hard and fast rules in politics, if you really believe it's for the benefit of the country. We had to shift from that (EU) position, irrespective of whether we won the election on that ticket.´
Therefore, I assume that you are, and have always been in favour of Malta joining the EU!
But my question is, if you are so critical to the party for adopting the wrong policy on Malta´s bid to EU membership, and keeping in mind that you have always been so pro-EU, then I have no choice to assume that you have voted PN in the 2003 general election! Was this the case?
I understand that the right to vote is the right of every individual, and therefore (maybe) I have no right to ask you to reveal your secret! However, keeping in mind the importance of making the right choice for our leader, I assume that we have the right to know these facts!
Yours sincerely,
Louis Fenech
I am quite unhappy with the way the leadership race in the MLP is being handled: If we are, now, looking at amending the statute on the eve of the election, I think that we are doing a disservice to the Party and the new leader chosen. Rules are not there for convenience and the rules of the MLP have been honed over the years as a result of often very heated debate amongst the various levels.
I cannot accept - alas - that now we are talking of changing rules simply because a candidate has proposed so when he, himself, spent the last ten years in silence.
It is not my intention to comment about the merits or demerits of any of the candidates for the Labour leadership. I go by the credo of let the best man win. But I speak up when I see people like Saviour Cachia hell bent to change the rules in order to give an advantage to one of the competitors in a race. Yes Mr Cachia, I am referring to your exasperating crusade to have the vote for the election of Labour’s leader widened to the paying members. Where were you all these years? Why didn’t you appeal for an amendment to Labour’s statute if you so strongly believe that a vote by the paid up members is such a giant step in political party democracy. Who elected Lawrence Gonzi as leader of the Nationalist Party. If you read Friday's Times, you will find out that Nationalist Party insiders said that the Party is not seeking to broaden its voter base for the election of a general secretary.
Mr Cachia claims that from the winning trio of the 1996 Labour victory only George Abela remains. What hogwash! What an insult to the other people who contributed to that victory and stood by it through thick and thin until to-day. Mr Cachia, can’t you put it in your head that George Abela left the party and came out of the woodwork only last month.
I agree completely that the spin that is going around is harming the Labour Party and letting the Nationalist Party enjoy a rather elongated honeymoon after the election. But it is people like you who are contributing to this spin.
Let us have a sober and mature debate on this issue but let us play by the rules and not try to move the goalposts when the match has already started.
am I backing any horse? wher ein any of my comments did mentio nany particular candidate? I only said once...´if it will be Joseph Muscat or Evarist Bartolo or any of the others in the race´ but I never expressed any preference. It´s you who backing one of the horses in this race!
you said....You attack George Abela for leaving 'your party' ,and then, funnily enough, you are (will be) the first one to quit your party should George Abela become leader.....and you want to be 'United'.....ma nistax nifhem!!!
It´s easy to understand....ask many others like me and they will make you understand too! George Abela has left us at stake when he smelled things going wrong. he left on a 10 year holiday! and now he wants to come back and pretens that people trust him again!!! If delegated appoint him as the leader, than of course I will accept the result but I ´d rather not vote than to follow somone who´s just an opportunits! If he cannot unite his hardcore, how can he attract floaters. It´s as if you re saying....I will accept my son-in law in my family at the cost of looing my son because they cannot accept each other!!! cikku briku siehbi!!!!
And how can george abela pretends to make us believe that he would unite the party when he`s firing his guns on the other candidates in the race ( ma nsemmix lil min biex zgur ma ccappasni ma hadd)
Well...what seems clear here is that we (if you are really Labour after all) are so divided on having george abela as our next leader...and when I say we I mean Labour supporters...that it would be impossible for him to unite the party!!! And by the way, if you ask george abela himself, he already felt the grounds during some meeting with local committee members during his campaign!! But the fact that he continues to choose to ignore these facts, I continue to believe that he is a big opportunists.
@ Alfred Mifsud
threathened???? don´t you talk about democracy anymore!! I ´m not threathening..I´m saying what I, and so many othr would do if ever george abela is elected as party leader!!
And Dear Alfred Mifsud, people judged you already and if you feel that you are so credible, try to contest again for ay post in the party!!! I´ll be eager to see the end result!!! very eager indeed! then we can see if you are credible or not!!!! you are mostly welcome!!!
It´s still early to write on printed papers to reveal other stories which george abela preferes not to mention in hi scampaign..I´ll hope that he remembers every single thing he did within the party while he served as deputy leader.. and I would have fun if he will contradict me when the time comes!!!!
Mr Sciberras has already told you how you are contradicting yourself. I could not have said it better.
As to my being disloyal I never threatened not to vote Labour if any candidate I don't fancy is elected as Leader. That is your prerogative! I was forced to leave Labour when I warned that Sant's re-election, before the analysis report for the 2003 defeat was published, was prejudicing the party's chances of winning the 2008 elections as the Leader lacked credibility in a post EU membership era. Unfortunately I was proved right but if people like you were a bit more loyal to the organisation and not to the person we would not have needed to lose yet another election.
The only thing I would put before the party is my credibility. I appeal to you to do the same as the party needs credible people. If as I sense you are already showing regret at having threatened not to vote Labour if GA is elected Leader then welcome on board.
am I backing any horse? where in any of my comments did I mention any particular candidate? I only said once...´if it will be Joseph Muscat or Evarist Bartolo or any of the others in the race´ but I never expressed any preference. It´s you who backing one of the horses in this race!
you said....You attack George Abela for leaving 'your party' ,and then, funnily enough, you are (will be) the first one to quit your party should George Abela become leader.....and you want to be 'United'.....ma nistax nifhem!!!
It´s easy to understand....ask many others like me and they will make you understand too! George Abela left us when he smelled things going wrong. he left on a 10 year holiday! and now he wants to come back and pretends that people trust him again!!! If delegates appoint him as the leader, then of course I will accept the result but I ´d rather not vote than to follow someone who´s just an opportunist! If he cannot unite his hardcore, how can he attract floaters. It´s as if you re saying....I will accept my son-in law in my family at the cost of losing my son because they cannot accept each other!!! cikku briku siehbi!!!!
And how can george abela pretend to make us believe that he would unite the party when he`s firing his guns on the other candidates in the race ( ma nsemmix lil min biex zgur ma ccappasni ma hadd)
Well...what seems clear here is that we (if you are really Labour after all) are so divided on having george abela as our next leader...and when I say we I mean Labour supporters...that it would be impossible for him to unite the party!!! And by the way, if you ask george abela himself, he already felt the grounds during some meeting with local committee members during his campaign!! But the fact that he continues to choose to ignore these facts, I continue to believe that he is a big opportunists.
I really enjoy reading your comments......So you say 'We need a loyal leader at all times'.......Likewise, Labour needs loyal followers at all times......Labour is not just the leader.........You attack George Abela for leaving 'your party' ,and then, funnily enough, you are (will be) the first one to quit your party should George Abela become leader.....and you want to be 'United'.....ma nistax nifhem!!!
If you are a true labourite (as you declare yourself), apart from indicating your preferences (we know what they are...and we respect them), being in a democracy, you should also declare that you will be accepting George Abela should he be elected......After all, if this happens,this would be the result of what the majority of Labour delegates (and maybe tesserati) voted for.....This should be respected !!!
I, being a floater (Labour at heart) can easily state that I feel very (most) comfortable with George Abela (Evarist Bartolo being my second preference).......However,even though Joseph Muscat is not one of my favourites (for various reasons), I will NEVER say that I will NEVER vote Labour if Joseph Muscat becomes leader.
So......if you really want unity in 'your party', do try and change your attitude towards George Abela (why all this anger and hatred??).........
Let me just remind you what the Bible says............"Bear with each other and FORGIVE whatever grievances you may have against one another" and my favourite being ......"Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven".(Luke 6:36,37)
Detto questo, in my opinion, I firmly believe that George Abela did the right thing in 1998 .......and if you do not agree.........JUST FORGIVE HIM !!!.....(dejjem jekk vera inti Laburist hard core !!).
@ Alfred Mifsud , J.Buhagiar , C. Magro
completamente d'accordo con voi......
@ Anthony Camilleri
I agree with you almost 100%.......except for "Labourite will always vote Labour as much as Nationalist will always vote PN"........There are some exceptions.
@Saviour Cachia
Analizi perfetta
the 'disloyal' like you definately did no good to the party! the `disloyal´ like you and george abela pleased only the nationalist party to remain in power for so many years. the ´disloyal´like you and george abela definately did not attract floaters and new voters to the ´wrecked` labour party after such people like you did so much harm to the party through your actions and writings!!!
Choose Labour choose, but never try to win them all - you said. The last election proved that every vote counts...and you appeal not to win them all! Is this what you and george abela would do if you had the chance to run the party!! wow what a vision george abela has if he had to follow your advice!! Is this your vision to achieve victory and get the party to win the next election...wow ..I´m really impressed! I
Slaves refuse freedom for fear of change - you said.....I want change..definately I want it....but change doesn´t mean going from fire to hell. I´m not afraid to change and having a loyal, intelligent, mature and a person with a vision like any of the other candidates in the race!!
If George Abela is accepting people like you to form the next faction in the party, I doubt how we could ever be in government again!!
Dear Alfred Mifsud, maybe it´s you who´s afraid of the other candidated in the race for fear that they will keep you aside and not trust you anymore! Having failed to be elected in the deputy-leadership`s race..you chose to leave the party...exactly like george abela...SOUR GRAPES
Choose Labour choose, but never try to win them all. Don't try to win those who were ecstatically loyal to the failed leadership that presented the nationalist with three elections victories on a silver platter while driving the MLP into a concrete wall. Don't try to win these same people that cannot be loyal to who refused to be driven to the wall and warned loudly about it when there was still time to avoid the crash.
Choose Labour - in government with the 'disloyal' or eternal opposition with the 'loyal'. I said it before. Slaves refuse freedom for fear of change.
I ´m neither a Nathionalist supporter nor Labour. I just vote for the party that attracts me most during electoral campaign. Electoral issues struck me most...but faces do too! I don`want to see Gonzi anymore. He`s too old now for the job! And please, don`t elect someone like George Abela who would be more eligible for his pension rather than his seat as a leader:) Then if you choose him, Labour would not be an option anymore for me. Sorry to say this!!!
I follow key decisions of both parties but need to say that I am a die heart of neither. This way I will be able to at least try to do what is right.
Dr. Gonzi has very recently had to take some unpopular decisions to do what is right that go against how, how much and for whom, the people have voted. I admire him for excluding at least three from being appointed ministers and for obvious reasons. Come the next elections, he would have to face all of us again. This way, he will be able to say how he penalized politically for practices that definitely go beyond what one would consider being good professional Practices.
Dr. Abela did not agree with Alfred Sant about key issues – Electricity, water bills - Sant’s disrespect towards former MLP leaders; Sant’s idea to call early election in 1998; and a host of other issues including MLP EU policies and strategy.
There is a limit to how many board decisions you can manage for a leader as if these were your own, even though you do not agree, as is professionally required. Your other option would be to resign. Many did. Moreover, at that time, the Sant-MLP followers, eventually tied up all Sant issues and practices into one: A Vote-of-Confidence in the Leader, Sant!
Sant also left us no other option but to vote NP if we wanted the EU - Turning the elections into a yes or no vote for EU membership.
So as I see it, from a floating voter point of view, “effectively” Dr. Abela eventually used this Vote-of-confidence-in-Sant as an opportunity to kill two with one stone.
1) He resigned (which is by the way a virtue not a weakness) to show all that he absolutely does not agree with the MLP way of doing things under Sant.
2) This way, he also completely disassociated himself from Sant and from MLP as long as long as Sant remains.
I think that this was a very professional.
Effectively Dr. Abela gave himself the chance of a new start. .
And we need to have both party leaders to be people one can depend on and seek to do what is politically, right.
Sorry but you are totally wrong! I am the first not to vote labour again if George Abela would ever take the leadership of the party! And I ´m sure that you are aware that many other share my same feeling!
We need a leader who will be able to unite us together! We need loyal leader at all times! We need someone we can trust! We need someone who never left us, or will ever leave us at stake!
Face it! A Labourite will always vote Labour as much as a Nationalist will always vote Nationalist. The new MLP Leader is not to appeal to the hardcore voter but to the ones mentioned above. Personally I do believe that George Abela can set the record straight but then the choice, of course, is yours.........
if you´re referring to me, you are absolutely wrong! I´m supporting no horse in this race. No matter who´s elected in this race I would be bound to accept it (I would have no choice anyway) and would enjoy my loyalty unless it would be George Abela. He´s just an opportunist! I don´t believe that he truly loves our party. If he really does, he would have never left us at stake for 10 long years!!!
well.;whether you believe or not that I am a hard core Labour supporter or not is your choice! If I didn´t care at all, I wouldn´t even bother about this race at all. However, I will never accept that someone like George Abela, and whoever else it might be , who wrecked a party back in 1998 pretends that nothing ever happened and return pretending to be the saviour of our party! No..I will never accept this...and many others share the same view....And I can assure you, whether you believe it or not, that George Abela would be the cause for many other like me who would opt not to vote at all rather than follow a party led by someone who left us at stake back in 1998! I wouldn´t mind if it will be Joseph Muscat or Evarist Bartolo or any of the others in the race...not at all...at least these people shared both our glory and griefs while George Abela chose to go on a long 10 year holiday!!!!!!
@ saviour cachia
Why all this panic? which? I ´m just expressing my opinion and whether you believe me or not, of many others also!
I don´t find any reason why Alfred Sant has to be involved in this debate. He´s not a candidate for this race! And by the way, I was never a puppet of Alfred Sant and will never be a puppet of anyone, whoever it may be! I´ll just appreciate the contribution which gave to our party for all those years despite that he didn´t achieve what we were all hoping for!
Dear collegue, any victory is achieved when everyone pulls the same rope. The 1996 victory cannot be simply attributed to one person or just the leadership of the party at that time! We won simply because we were united and looked credible in the eyes of the voters! But then, George Abela decided to wreck the party simply not to loose his face! Is he really matured, charismatic and militant??? wow...These are the adjectives which Nationalist supporters use to describe George Abela because he helped them get back to power!
Now why all this opposition to Dr. George Abela being one of the contenders for leader of the MLP. Time proved he was right on different instances.
The winning trio in 1998 was Dr Alfred Sant, Dr. George Vella and Dr. George Abela. Of the trio, only one is still in line of becoming leader.
Dr. George Vella had his chance prior to Dr. Alfred Sant when he was blessed by Former Labour Prime Minister Dr. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici to be his successor. But he did not had the courage to do so.
Dr. Sant led last three general elections without any success.
Dr. George Abela decided to relinquish his position in 1998 once his warning against a snap election in that fateful summer of 1998 were not heeded by the MLP delegates, seemingly well confused by the spin that Dr. Abela wanted the Labour Party to lose the September election so as to take over from Dr. Sant following a predicted Labour defeat.
But Dr. Abela actions reflected a sense of responsibility rather than deceit and here he is today offering his services to the MLP once again, following the MLP faltering on different issues and losing three consecutive elections.
So why are we trying to behead him? Why are we trying to have a close shop MLP leader election and not give a merited chance to paid up members to have a say in the election of the new party's leader?
Who is fearing Dr. Abela's comeback most?
Only one of the 1996 winning trio remains, Dr. George Abela. This gives a lot to ponder. Chances are that Dr. Abela will succeed where the others failed.
So for the sake of the party we all confess to have in our hearts, let us give him a chance.
He is matured, charismatic, militant and enjoys respect with a good spectrum of the electorate, even those so far not having been voters of the MLP and were thrown on the sidelined by some big heads at the Red Palace.
With all the spin going round, the MLP is harming nobody but itself .There is no doubts that all the contenders have their merits and demerits, and let us not ridicule ourselves that the PN is looking keenly on Dr. George Abela election as leader. In their hearts of hearts the GonziPN knows that Dr. George Abela will give them a hard time.
So, please whoever is eligible to vote on June 5, use your minds and not your heart and do not once more be the victims of the spinners who had their way in 2003 and who are expecting with some trepidation the outcome of the report of the electoral commission chosen by the same National Executive of the MLP to delve what went wrong and completely sour in the March 8 general elections that should have had an automatic winner: the Malta Labour Party
you are right!!!
The simple fact that GA cannot bring Labourites on board is enough to conclude that he would simply be a non-starter in the next election. I will always vote for the party which gives me more comfort. If MLP has a divisive figure such as GA - i will, as a floating voter fed up of the PN govt, simply opt not to vote once again.
I understand whoever says that it is important to have a leader liked by the opponents, or floating voters, but I understand also that you cannot win a war without your soldiers. If, as a certain survey showed, GA is liked by PN voters, but not by MLP voters then what's the use of even thinking in leading the party.
The MLP leader needs to be - in my humble opinion - someone who gets the Labour supporters all on board and reaches out to the floating voter.
How can one believe that a PN voter will vote for GA if he is leading Labour. It is a big fat fallacy.
Clearly, you are supporting a different horse, but you don’t throw mud at others to prove your point! GA is the person who most likely can bring a victory to Labour. Don’t forget that Labour is not an opposition side set-piece.
You said that you will never vote to a party with GA at the helm! Is this the kind of democracy that you believe in?
Secondly I don’t trust GA as I see his come back as an opportunist, simply to state he was right (and deep down happy labour didn’t win the elections). If he was a truly labourist he should have stuck with his principles at all costs no matter what. And no one can ever be sure if labour did it his way would have won, he’s only giggling on the others defeat but he has no glory in this. So it is pathetic all these shows claiming himself as a victory man.
Another thing I don’t like is that he’s talking about unity and uniting the party when at the same time he’s attacking and a lot of other labour people… the cliques here and there that are pushing others and not the poor george… It seems to me that it is quite normal to have persons supporting you through a campaign and this includes GA (ex. D.Fenech A.Mifsud pn media etc etc) so one can say even GA has his clique so please stop playing the martyr!
How can you unite the party when you are attacking and accusing other people from your own party… how should I believe in you and a united party!! Sorry but you are very inconsistent to me. I will never vote to a party with you at the helm.
To put it mildly - Labour either does away with the old wood (even those stored in cold rooms such as Dr Abela) and choose someone who has no or little past.
Being a young floating voter - I can only see Muscat leading labour. Fresh, no (or relatively recent) baggage, and full of ideas.
I don't see Labour contesting with a 65-year old leader who was already tried and tested. And without the obsession as a staunch Labour like Louis Fenech, I can say that I only believe in EU credentials of people who worked actively in the EU.
I´m really surprised by you rather than by the delegates of the party!!! If I my quote you ---´what's hard to understand is how all labour delegates who represent us, approved all these nonsense proposals.´ ---- then how hard is to understand why Dr Abela himself approved to go forward for an early election in 1998 and then he decided to go on a long holiday!!! He was present during that national executive meeting that day in September 1998 and he neither raised his hands when the members of the national executive were asked if anyone is against the idea of going for an early election, nor did he raise his hands when they were asked if they abstained!!!!
Now it´s my turn to ask you, how can we trust Dr Abela again?!!!!!! and how can we win an election with this captain?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I´m really speechless !!!
How can we win elections with a captain who first proposes CET and then changes his mind to VAT, till 1996 he's against EU, in 1997 he almost changes his mind in favour of EU membership, then he argues what voice is Malta going to have in a 700 member euro parliament and then he sends 3 MEPs in a voiceless parliament!
In 2008 he wants to open the euro package again when he had 10 nice years chance to give a helping hand in negotations and he always avoided!
Last month he wanted to slash the surcharge by half when at this time the price of oil is a record $114 per barrel!
Far from saying that Dr Abela wrecked our party....what's hard to understand is how all labour delegates who represent us, approved all these nonsense proposals.
That's why now as Dr Abela said last Sunday, delegates should vote with their mind not their heart! We should unite, elect Dr Abela as leader and celebrate labour victory in less than 5 years.
First and foremost I have no hard feeling for Dr Abela or anyone else ....it's just that I cannot accept the fact, like so many others, that a person like Dr Abela, who chose to leave and ´wreck´ the party at a crucial moment (in 1998) will now become my leader....it's either always or never !!! and yes....I´ve been very consistent in my political beliefs, and I will always be...(I can never vote for the Nationalist Party simply because I don't believe in their policies).
But neither will I vote anymore if someone, whoever it can be, like Dr Abela, had to take the leadership of my party! I simply cannot trust him one more time! I will remain consistent in my Socialist beliefs but I cannot accept that he simply comes back from a long holiday and win back my trust! I was truly hurt by his actions back in 1998!!!
Any by the way, I was never a deputy leader but I always stood by the party. I was always loyal to the PARTY, thus to anyone who was leading the party, whoever it could have been!!! Even at times when I didn't fully agree with the policies of the party, I didn't choose to take any possibility to slam the party!!! I remained consistent!! I remained loyal!! And if things went wrong, I sought and will continue to seek to change things internally rather than elsewhere!!
The holidays are over ....welcome back Dr Abela!!!!!
Sorry sir but you are contradicting yourself. You take it against George Abela and I for not sticking tru thick and thin with the party and than you are ready to leave if Abela is elected leader.
Try to be consistent!
I have been consistent in being loyal to the party. People like Louis Fenech were loyal to the leader even if the party's interest were being prejudiced. Result: 3 election defeats in a row.
Sometimes I think people like Lous Fenech have got used so much being in opposition that like slaves they refuse freedom for fear of the unknown!
If I may quote you, --- ´I know quite a number of floaters who share the same opinion......Use your minds and not your hearts.´ ---
I also know quite a number of hard-core Labour supporters whom will never cast their vote again if Dr Abela is elected as Labour leader. And you can count me as the first one! So I´m really not impressed, least am I convinced about having Dr Abela as party leader. ´Use your minds and not your hearts.´
@ Brian Zammit
If I may quote you; --- ´he justly didn't want our ship to head to the storm. Had he been the captain of our ship, our party is not where it is now! ´--- whatttttttttttttt!!!! Didn't he want our ship to head to the storm?!!!!! And how would a ship sail if it´s wrecked? Dr Abela was one amongst those who ´wrecked´ our party!!!
Would he never did that, and pulled the strings of our ex-captain instead of leaving all those on board at stake, ´our party is not where it is now! ´
Another definition of real leaders is that they are ones who are able to reach their targets within the stipulated timeframe. And what is the target for a political party? To be in government in the forthcoming term! Failure to reach the target should be accompanied by the selection of a new leader by statute. Otherwise the party will be missing the whole point of existence.
There are contenders who are more courageous than others, who have a proven track record, who are ready to listen, and who pose the least risk of failure. We cannot get it wrong this time round. They are the ones who will bring the desired change and reach the target. Dr GA is the one.
@ Alfred Mifsud
Dear colleague, if anyone needs to convince me, it will never be you or Domenic Fenech who's trying to push forward Dr Abela´s bid for Labour leadership. No hard feelings. But I would rather stand with someone who always remained loyal to the party rather than with any of you who damaged the image of the party over the past 10 years with your actions and writings!
Real leaders are those that one can rely on in difficult times.
Joseph Muscat, Michael Falzon and Marie Louise together will make the difference.
Dr Abela has a role to play in the party, but not as its leader.
So Dr. Abela must certainly have qualities to be pondered upon before any hasty attempts and maybe final wrong decision to deny him the post he clearly merits: leader of the Malta Labour Party and the next Prime Minister in waiting.
I am confident that Dr. Abela have the right vision how to establish the MLP once more as the natural party and government of our islands. Dr. Abela is very militant but in a pleasant and acceptable manner..and this says a lot.
The number of comments below is evidence of the popularity of the man across the board. They are increasing by the hour. He's a great and courageous leader. It's good and healthy to ask questions and to pass comments; even the most nasty ones. That's democracy. However, there is no point in crying over spilt milk. That would not help much to win the next general election.
We have a golden opportunity at hand. We need to rise to the occasion and elect Dr. George Abela as Labour leader. We shouldn't loose this chance again for the umpteenth time. Keep it up Dr. George Abela and good luck Labour.
If my memory serves me right,way back in 1998,Dr Abela resigned from MLP Deputy Leader after the party ( not the Leader ) chose to call an early General Election. I for one had the same views as Dr Abela regarding the early election.
Regarding the EU issue one wonder what made Dr G.Abela to change his views,that against joining prior 1998,and in favour afterwards.
Dear colleague, the last 10 years were marked by Dr Abela's silence rather by his writings criticising the party.
Your accusations are more appropriately addressed to me who has been much more vocal than George Abela especially after the 2003. However I assure you that my writings were meant to avoid what happened in 2008 and I feel that in trying to do so I have been more loyal to the organsiation than many others who through their submissive put their personal position before the party's real interest.
Mr Fenech I assure you that I suffered labour defeats as much as you did. But I suffered throughout the entire period seeing the party heading for a defeat that I could not avert. My suffering was a process not a one time event.
Let's look forward now and elect the leader who can give us the best prospect not to fail agin.
I would have now been a keen supporter if Dr Abela shared our same grief over subsequent electoral defeats rather than abandoning us at such crucial moments no matter what the issue was all about!
Dr Abela’s return within the party is mostly welcome but to accept him as my party's leader, I need to be more convinced that he would stand by us at all times, at all costs, rather that saving his own face when things are not going right. Trying to justify himself on what the issue was in 1998 is useless... that is history which cannot be cancelled... Let us not forget he was amongst those to blame for building a perception that the party was divided. Now, Dr Abela needs to prove himself somehow.... I'll wait patiently how he will do it – but certainly I do not expect him to cry wolf and try and blame the ‘machinery’. So far, all we know is how when he was in the fold, he had shunned away a battle just because he knew it was going to be lost. There is a lot of explanation to do Dr Abela.
However, although this might sound a little bit strange, I do care about who governs this controversial island of ours.There is always a 'bad' and the 'worse'.
Therefore, if there is something that I can say with regards to the election of the MLP leader is; that the MLP is in a very delicate situation and if it elects the wrong leader, a time will come that the nationalists will have so much experience in governing our country, that the then Labour leaders might end up taking lectures, about the matter, at the university.
If Dr Abela supported the EU issue he had the right to do so. Everyone has a right to his opinion. That is why Dr Abela resigned from the MLP leadership, because his opinions differed from those of the leaders; that doesn't mean he stoped being a laborite or that he wishes that the MLP will be in government.
I think that Dr Abela is the right man to beat Gonzipn, especially if along with the laborites', he will gain the floaters' votes.
The MLP did perhaps the same in the run for the leadership of the PN. They pushed somebody who might have suited them. In George Abela case, i augur him a better fortune than poor John Dalli.
With George Abela leader, the PN would certainly have to worry a lot and not consider him an easy rider, like they did with the MLP former leader, stating openly they can never fear defeat as long as we had Dr. Alfred Sant at the helm.
Gonzipn know quite well that with George Abela as leader of the MLP, things will be different. I state again he is a natural leader and a natural prime minister.
What is worrying is that all this was started from a man who was an honest Labourite but is now simply pushing his own agenda.
You think we are fools. How sad. More of the same old crap. Tribal politics ad infinitum...
I need to say at the outset that I am a die heart of neither party. Malta simply needs an opposition with a leader that one can depend on, same as we have such a Prime Minister. It is good political PRACTICES that count. Practices that do not border and/or go beyond what is considered being professionally, ethically and morally correct. Guilty/not guilty is for the civil court (not the politician) to decide.
This leads me to the issue that many raised: "No one -as far as I know - told him (Dr. Abela) to leave the Party. Why didn't he stay on …..why did he let the party down."
Dr. Abela: Dr. Abela did not agree with Alfred Sant about many key issues – Water/ Electricity bills - Sant’s dis-respect towards former leaders; Sant’s idea to call early election in 1998; and a host of other issues including MLP EU strategy (road to get there.) And there is a limit to how many board decisions you can manage as if these were your own, even though you do not agree, as is professionally required. Moreover, at that time, the Sant-MLP, changed the circumstances too. They tied up all Sant issues and practices into one: A Vote-of-Confidence in the Leader, Sant!
So Dr. Abela rightly used this Vote as an opportunity to kill two with one stone.
1) He resigned (which is a virtue not a weakness) to prove to all his disapproval.
2) He disassociated himself from both Sant and Sant-MLP strategies & practices.
In the circumstances, Dr. Abela effectively gave himself the chance of a new start if Sant (with whom he completely disagreed) failed.
Both Dr Gonzi and Dr Abela are good leaders. Die heart MLP and die hearts GonziNP may not agree. It does not matter! Both vote MLP and GonziNP anyway!
Why all this spin about George Abela? Arenot the agreements reached at AirMalta and the Port Reform enough proof that he can entice to the MLP persons who might be floaters or perhaps were not so enthusiastic to what we Reds had to offer in the last three general elections.
Come on, let us admit that even the Nationalist Party is part of the spin: sort of trying to push George Abela down our throat, obviously to instil a dose of rejection.
But I augur that whoever doing to vote on June 5 will vote with his mind rather than his heart.
In the Seventies, we Labourites had the slogan: Malta marida, medicina Mintoff. In the 2008 we have to admit one thing; Want a Labour Government in 2013, choose George Abela as leader.
David Gatt if you happen to be the chap I know, be patience, our friend Joseph Muscat's turn will come, but the time is not ripe yet.
I show my admiration to Evarist Bartolo to offer his services to the party in another leadership role, if not as leader. These three persons are the suitable elements on whom the Malta Labour Party can look forward with confidence to the future.
I really want to put this thought in front of any true Labour supporter: there are people out there who's aim is to destroy the Labour Party from within. Remember that this is a time where Labour is at its weakest after the electoral defeat. Putting someone wrong at the helm could prove fatal. YOU know whoTHESE people are.
I'm sure that after the 5th of June we'll have the right leader that will guide us forward. We don't want a one-man Gonzipn party! Let's leave that to PN.
My contention is that the PN know well enough that they can say bye-bye to winning the next election if George Abela is elected leader, whereas they will feel comfortable in tackling down any other of the present contenders to the leadership post, as they did very successfully in the case of Alfred Sant repeatedly during the last three elections.
So, very cunningly, the PN promotes GA knowing very well that MLP stalwarts coocooned within their glass house for so many years and insensitive to the writing on the wall for such a long time, will react by blindingly rejecting GA, simply to say NO to anything coming from the PN. What a Macchiavellian scheme!
My survey shows that Abela is the most popular with floating voters and with PN voters who agreed to participate in the survey. The fact they agreed to particpate, in contrast with many die-hard PN voters who refused to particpate, shows they are moderate PN voters who potentially could become floating voters if Labour fiels a credible leader.
To win an election it is far more important to be popular with floaters. Whoever is elected leader will instantly become popular with traditional labour voters who are known for their blind loalty to the leader.
@ Joseph Zerafa
I think it is unfair to say that if you get Joseph you will get anyone else other than Joseph. But I think that Joseph could be a formidable future labour leader if he adds 10 more years of executive experience to his CV. the tree is strong but the fruit is not ripe yet.
Alfred Mifsud
What is however fact is that George Abela rather than trying to convince the MLP of its wrong decision to go to the polls in 1998 in the same way as he is trying to convince us that he is the best choice for today he abandoned ship and did not lift a finger to help hurt Labourites (his own words) for over 10 years.
Furthermore, if this so called moderate had his own in way in 1998 Labour would have remained in government and Malta would not have been a member of the EU today. Needless to say so would have been the case with the VAT and similar issues.
If my memory serves me correct, at the time these decisions were taken, George Abela was the deputy leader of the MLP and has never said a word against the adoption of these infamous policies.
All that can be said is that for his own political convenience, George Abela abandoned the Labour Party and today, for this same convenience, he is asking us to entrust him with its leadership.
I believe that Joseph Muscat, for all his faults, is the best candidate for he is a distinct break from the past; is the only contender who is attempting and has the courage to articulate a vision for the coming years; can make the MLP a true European party; can attract the young vote and can serve as a true positive force in Maltese politics.
stop talking, start thinking with your own minds, and pray. Please shoulder your responsability with sincerity, courage and foresight. Malta is counting on you to do the right thing. Don`t mess it up!
Both George Abela and Michael Falzon are good choices for the Malta Labour Party as they both mean a distinct political leadership from that of Alfred Sant. I cannot say the same for Joseph Muscat.
Vote Joeph, Get Alfred!
Vote Joseph, Get Jason!
Cant u realize it's just reverse psychology? The Nationalists seem to 'be pushing' gorg abela because in reality, it is him who they fear most. Come on...think about it... I have to agree with you that both Joseph and Varist were always loyal to the party, but hey, Gorg is consistent...a virtue MLP lacked these past fifteen years. I'm in my twenties and dont even remember a labour government. at this point however, i believe that it is gorg's time. It is him who can lead us to a victory. and i'm sure that Joseph would be willing to lend him a hand. In the meantime he'll enhance his political CV. His time will come as well...
For Christ's sake. Let's unite.
He too admits that he saw us, Labourites, suffering so why on earth did he leave us to suffer for ten whole years?
I'm pretty sure that many 'declared Labour supporters' below are in truth staunch PN supporters, just trying to push forward NET TV's agenda. Just think of this if you're a true MLP supporter: WHY IS THE PN MEDIA PUSHING FORWARD GEORGE ABELA AS LEADER? Do you really think it's for Labour's good? Come on! Give me a break!
With George Abela leader then we'll just have an extension of the PN party. Even journalists admit he's very similar to Gonzi. And I don't want a Gonzi leading the party I support!
I really hope that the new leader is either Joseph Muscat or Evarist Bartolo. They are loyal Labourities who have always offered MLP a helping hand. They're also moderate candidates, a good quality for bringing in new voters.
I think it is the right moment to give George Abela the opportunity to lead the party, something which must have happened after the 2003 election. With him we will have someone new and out of the party mechanism which was in charge in the past decade who led us to three consecutive defeats. Joe Muscat was there, Michael Falzon, Evarist Bartolo and Mary Louise where all there. George wasn't there and he is the only one contesting who will get new votes from floaters and even Ntionalist voters. Please don't harm our paty further and thank people like George Abela who presented themselves to contest the leadersip race.
Vote George get Castille
He openly showed us the way forward for the Malta Labour Party to be Malta and Gozo next government in 2013.
It would be a pity if for the second time (lest not forget 1998) whoever will be called to select the MLP leader on June 5, will not heed his words.
Yes I appeal to all those you will be casting their votes for the new MLP leader ( I hope as a paid up member I would be given this opportunity) to use their heads not their hearts to make this important decision.
In his speech and the interview on today's Sunday Times, Dr. Abela gave us all a lot food for thought and certainly using our minds than our hearts will direct us to elect a leader that will be a natural choice for the people, coming 2013.
I am confident that with George Abela as leader, the MLP will find the right way to be united once more, and unity is the best ingredient for success.
Viva l-Partit Glorjuz Nazzjonalista.
The reason is very simple because both G.Abela and M.Falzon are outside A.Sant's clan and the MLP present operating mechanisim. In one way or another something will stop both of them to be elected as leaders and this could happen even during the day of the election.
Only a 100% open to the ALL media election day from start to end should prove me wrong.
A copy of a clean election process could be obtained from the NP H.Q.
If you dont'n win the leadership would you continue to work with in the party to help the new leader to get rid of the various cliques and stmp out all divisions? If so, I'm sure you will be accepted back in the MLP.
@johann Zammit
is the age the more imp thing for you ?With your argument we could have never one the election with AS (you are right on this one) because he was 60. So MF is the best option? He is young, he's a hunter and boasts of his hobby i.e. produce fireworks. How's that for a leader! Guess age is the most important but.
I thought it had already gained that dubious distinction!
It is in their interest that you believe this, so they can hang on to their positions within the party, can't you understand this !!!!
These people are pushing Joe Muscat in an attempt to portray him as the new, actually he's a puppet on a string.
Throw out the Sant clan it has harmed the party for over a decade with a succession of defeats, when you will come to terms with this fact, maybe you will do the right thing and therefore you will be electable.
Stop all the crap about Muscat being new, he appeals only to labour diehards, Do you really believe that he can sway a number of PN voters? Well if you believe it, you don't really know the PN voters. How ironic Vote Joseph Get Alfred !!!!!!!!!!
During the 1998 stand off with Mintoff, Alfred Sant offered his post of Prime Minister to anyone in the party who could keep the party in government. Why did Dr. Gorg Abela declined the offer at that time. Can a party with democratic credential stay in power if it loses the majority in the House of Representatives?
Anyway Dr. Abela does not have any experience in any parliament.
Once bitten twice shy
Dr. Abela also should remain active and not desert it like he has already done, whatever his opinion back in 1998 was.
Personally I don't think he's the right choice we need to move forward rather than backwards, even this type of corner meetings iits old politics, 80's style.
As for reuniting the party there will always be people pro and agianst him its inevitable some will see him as a trator and some as a saviour so I prefer someone else with no such conflicting history.
If the stubborn captain wants to go down with the ship should you do the same?
He reisigned from the MLP cause he disagreed with the leadership, he reisigned from the GWU cause he disagreed with the leadership He also disagreed with the removal of VAT and the freezing of the EU application... yet he had been deputy leader during Labour's 1996 campaign!
So, I say to you all who ask us Labourites to support Dr Abela as leader: HOW CAN WE TRUST THIS MAN LEADING THE PARTY?? I'm sure Dr. Abela would bring a few PN votes to Labour, but I'm also sure that with him at the helm a lot of MLP votes will be flushed out from Labour.
My opinion: choose a loyal and younger leader for Labour that has stood by the party in the good and in the bad times.
Yes, the MLP needs this man at its helm.