Muscat denies he will withdraw from MLP leadership race

Marco Cremona

Apr 20th 2008, 17:02

I do not honestly believe that the PN want to see either Dr. Joseph Muscat nor Dr. George Abela as MLP leader, as both of them have the qualities to lead Labour to a victory at the next elections. Let us not forget that the MLP lost the elections with only a whisker, and this despite having the huge liability of having Dr. Sant as leader. It will be much more difficult for GonziPN to retain this slender lead next time round.

However it is clear that the PN are supporting Dr. Abela. Why? Simple - Because pushing Abela as MLP leader will create much more divisions within the labour camp. Abela may have excellent leadership qualities but rightly, or wrongly, he does not enjoy the widespread support among delegates and labourites that Dr. Joseph Muscat enjoys. Clearly PN's tactic is one of 'divide and rule'. That's my take on the whole thing.

David Farrugia

Apr 20th 2008, 14:07

Why are so many pro-PN people so afraid of Joseph Muscat being elected leader? Alfred Sant with all his setbacks almost snatched a victory from Gonzi, Short of less than 2000 votes. A young energetic Muscat would shatter Gonzi in the next election. I have no doubt about this. These people I mention above sense this too. In my opinion, these PN contributors are instigating a power duel between Abela and Muscat. On the other side, I quite predict that they will be working together after the leadership election. Trouble is surely looming for the PN.

F Spiteri

Apr 20th 2008, 14:06

To Christina Borg: are you still considering the local national TV unbiased??? How original! If you have some further time to perform some "reviews", try to locate where PN media are!
And if you consider this as a strategy from Dr Muscat himself, please note that Dr Muscat's intelligence supersedes this crap! Dr Muscat is the top favourite, this info being given to save you some time to do further reviews!! Maybe you could review his website instead to see yourself his achievements for Malta thus the reason why he is so much loved be one and all.

Christina Borg

Apr 20th 2008, 01:19

I reviewed all local media for news related to this article. Most media carried it but not the PN media. Could this 'news' have been a very shrewd publicity stunt from the Joseph Muscat campaign team?

Patrick Vella

Apr 19th 2008, 20:44

Mr. Sammut of course we are coming, but after the 5th June to give our party a leader that can bring unity, hope and victory after victory for our party and the country.

By the way you forgot two important phrases, ' robber or a missionary' and 'plain crazy to enter the game'.

Patrick Vella

Apr 19th 2008, 20:25

Mr. Spiteri why you wasted your time to answer my comment? Thanks that i have impressed you!!!!! .
Mr. Spiteri i am not a POODLE and it's better 'bla bla bla' than 'BOW WAW WAW'

DavidGatt

Apr 19th 2008, 18:45

Patrick Vella - a typical panicked PN supporter.

With this comment and the obvious maneuvers that TVM is performing we can all now see who the PN doesn't want as MLP leader.

Joseph Muscat is the future for Labour and for a much better governed Malta.

G. Sammut

Apr 19th 2008, 15:43

Don't you understand F. Spiteri? A book of slogans and phrases is in the making. First we had the poodle, then the anointed one, now the free-trip-to-Brussels. Their panic is a thrill to watch. Keep them coming!

F Spiteri

Apr 19th 2008, 14:45

Wooow! Patrick Vella you impressed me! You know exactly what Dr Muscat knows deep inside of him! I also suggest maybe you get in touch with PN media, stationed on 2 of the local TV stations, to make public the latest one: delegates confused whom to vote due to "free trip to Brussels". You're a genious!! This one would add as a nice one with the collection of "bla bla bla" currently wasting time of readers on PN's online newspaper.
If Dr Muscat would read your comment, I am sure he'll have a good laugh and he'll thank you for it!!
Oh, by the way ... is the first sentence a command? Keep dreaming ....

Patrick Vella

Apr 19th 2008, 13:00

Dr. Muscat must withdraw his nomination for the leadership of the MLP immediately. His statements before 2003 about the EU and about his view in entering politics were ridicuous. Dr. Muscat deep down knows that he has not the majority of the party supporters and he cannot bring unity in the party.
What about delegates of the party, who many of them went for a free holiday to Brussels with Dr. Muscat, thinks? What they prefer? Going for a free trip to Brussels or in five years time see the MLP in Government?

K. Chircop

Apr 19th 2008, 12:10

A. Gauci, I do not exclude that the snake or source can be coming from the MLP itself. What a shame if it is. As I said in my first post, it doesn't seem like JM has the whole establishment behind him doesn't it? As for people that want to see the downfall of the MLP I can only speculate.

Ivan Cutajar

Apr 19th 2008, 12:07

Dear Dr. Muscat, I wish you good luck BUT the MLP don't need Cowboys we need Leader. MLP has all ready rejected once the opportunity with just a letter Lino Spiteri case and had be condmend for 20 years in OPP. So Leader like Dr. Abela, Lino Spiteri has to be in placed with experience and just ambitious.

Louis Fenech

Apr 19th 2008, 12:00

@ Malcolm Seychello
I quote you, `The nationalists have to worry only if Abela or Falzon is elected leader.` LoL Unbelievable!!! The Nationalist Party is backing George Abela indeed! And they are doing so because his past is haunting him and they have already enough issues on which they could target him, if ever he`s elected as Labour leader!! He´s an easy prey for their character-assassination campaign!

So dear Malcolm, why are you surprised that PN sympathisers would resort to dirty tricks to keep Joseph Muscat out of the race. Of course, they won´t uses the same tricks on George Abela because he´s the one the Nationalist party is hoping to see as labour leader.

Joseph Mizzi

Apr 19th 2008, 12:00

I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to the PBS newsroom, and assume that it was reporting a substantiated news item. In between the lines of the report, I read that the MLP machinery is seriously considering the possibility of an alliance between George Abela and Joseph Muscat. I ask: What's wrong with this?
Imagine the scenario of the MLP in five (or maybe less) years' time, winning the elections under the leadership of George Abela's team (which would include Joseph Muscat and Michael Falzon). This 'compact' would have brought together all the factions of the Party which might have strayed apart during these last years, plus a good number of 'floaters' who are really fed up with the Nationalist type of government.
A five year stint as Prime Minister would confirm that George is capable of delivering what he's promising. THEN, after 2018, would Joseph be well-prepared to take over the Leadership of the Party. In my opinion, that's the ideal Labour 10-year plan.
Of course I agree with Joseph's denial that he'll be withdrawing from the leadership race. Now that he has put forward his candidature, he isn't going to scar his image at the very outset by offering the PN the time-proven smear-tool of being accused of making U-turns at the first available opportunity!
I'm sure that the Party powers-that-be know how to direct those who are going to be directly involved in the voting process to choose the best way forward for the party that has garnered nearly as many number of votes as the party that is governing the country today.
George and Joseph - Go for it!

Liam Borg

Apr 19th 2008, 11:51

Dear Mr. Seychell. If ABC is afraid of George Abela then why is he lavishing him with the greatest of praises and well wishes? Or do you believe that he is one of those that is in this diabolical scheme of "praise-him-so-they-won't-vote-for-him? " Poor George, they love him on the outside but wish his speedy ousting from the MLP because he is a great terror. What a sad state of affairs this has become.

JOHN SCERRI

Apr 19th 2008, 11:28

From my interpretation of developments within the MLP, it seems that not all is locking in properly.
When a contest for leadership is downgraded to such events like yesterday this shows there is no genuine unified goal among a few party officials who should have the party interest as first priority.

I am sorry to say that MLP is today composed of virtually many tiny 'parties' supporting different ideas and beliefs and I think that irrespective who will be elected leader this party will split in the near future.

Every political party has its fundamental beliefs which make it different from other political parties.

These beliefs should be the pillars of each and every individual member within the party.

All should strive for a common goal and pull in the same direction .

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 19th 2008, 09:57

have any of you thought that these lies and spins might ( very probably are!!!) coming out of the MLP itself????...........and can K. (karl??) Chircop pls specify who are those who want to see the MLP's downfall???......PBS was probably told by some "snake" in the Party about this "speculation"....heq you never know!!!!!!!!!.....Nonetheless on a more positive note its good to see that Joseph Muscat seems to be taking a more Liberal approach to issues like divorce......and J.Muscat did vote in favour of a motion condemning homophobia..........so all the best to Joseph because thats what we need a Liberal, viable alternative to the PN!!!!!!!..........M.Falzon is far too conservative ...hunting??....fireworks??.......the MLP risks becoming more conservative than Fenech Adami's PN under falzon..................is this what you labourites want?......Is that what we want??............

Malcolm Seychello

Apr 19th 2008, 09:12

ABC is right. The nationalists have to worry only if Abela or Falzon is elected leader.

Mario Sant

Apr 19th 2008, 09:06

Come on Joseph......Wish you all great success not only for next June's election but for all the others to follow.........go for it Joseph!

J.C. Azzopardi

Apr 19th 2008, 06:46

Smart boy Joseph. All contenders should have one common aim and that they should be ready to serve with or under the leadership of whoever is selected to lead the Party. Reports of this sort is not uncommon in this country and whoever comes out with such lies may have a different agenda. The more choice we have for the leadership the better. We only hope the best person wins to lead the Party.

George Fava

Apr 18th 2008, 23:35

Muscat should definately run for office.The rise of Muscat is not media hype, as some have commented. He is the real thing - high intellect, a brilliantly fluent speaker and untainted by the past. The Labour Party must regenerate and attract voters. This is the last chance. Muscat is blessed with all the tools needed for the future rise of a once great party. He is the one. I am 50 years old and have voted Labour for all these years, except at the last election. If Muscat becomes the leader I will not only vote again for them, I will join the party.

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Apr 18th 2008, 23:28

It's really quite amazing. There are really people out there who believe that PN sympathisers would resort to dirty tricks to keep Joseph Muscat out of the race. As far as I can see, the contrary is probably closer to the truth.

david Gatt

Apr 18th 2008, 23:06

Good luck Joseph, you deserve to win this.

K. Chircop

Apr 18th 2008, 22:22

Great to hear Joseph. Don't ever let them take you down. You are the only one who can really lead this party to a great victory and a new era in Maltese politics.

With regards to this dirty spin (quite obvious from where its coming) I can only say that Joseph is actually being perceived as the greatest threat to the powers that be. I wonder behind whom the establishment really is.

A word of advice to Labour delegates - do not let those who want to see the downfall of the MLP confuse you or even worse divide our party.

A. Camilleri

Apr 18th 2008, 22:03

come on Joseph! we are with you!