MLP members voting petition presented to party president

Christina Borg

Apr 26th 2008, 09:36

People are watching very closely what’s happening in the MLP, the whole discussion about MLP’s EU positions, the way MLP resolve their conflicts, the way MLP treat those with a divergent opinion, and the way MLP are ging about choosing their leaders. And the basic question remains the same question the electorate asked in the last general elections: Will I trust the MLP to govern my country?

saviour cachia

Apr 25th 2008, 14:11

I beg your pardon, dea web master, I must have hit a button and did not complete my previous comments. Would appreciate if you add the following;
I must always say that all this hullabaloo about the petition proposing the extension of the right of vote to the paid up members is being dictated by the Nationalist Party agenda, is only a figment of the imagination.
No matter our diversity and contrasting position about the petition, I am confident that faithful labourites have one thing in mind; having the ideal person at the right palace and moment to spur us Reds and the rest of the electorate to choose LABOUR in the 2013 election. This is an appointment that the MLP could not afford to miss even for the true sake of democracy in Malta and Gozo.
The new leader and all those around him should built up a strategy that will be good enough to beat any antics adopted by the Gonzipn, incumbency and all. The way forward is one; clear, credible, and moderate but progressive steps in the direction of Castille.

Joe Galea

Apr 25th 2008, 08:13

At first when Gorg Abela raised this issue I quickly agreed since I am not a delegate. But coming to think about it well, if this issue had to come through, there should be a healthy discussion and well planning going through all the pros and cons of such issue. One clause should be that paid up members for more than 3 years at least should vote, since I am afraid that if this change is approved new paid up mebers will start mushrooming in thousands everyday to give election mileage to some particular candidate. Therefore, finally I think that the person who proposed this idea had a plan behind it as it could be the only way he could be elected.

Francis ATTARD

Apr 25th 2008, 07:51

A leader cannot be a successful one if he, himself, is led by the nose by some hidden godfather.

owen borg

Apr 24th 2008, 23:59

I have another theory. When the Nationalist Party adopts the same system, then labour will do the same. But why should the Labour Party implement this proposal in the first place.?I am a labour party member but will be very happy and looking forward to become a member of the nationalist party and vote in the Nationalist Party leadership election .I would for sure vot in office the least credible...the worst candidate.

Gladys Camilleri

Apr 24th 2008, 23:47

My husband and I are paid up members and we like to vote to ALL the LEADERSHIP not for the LEADER ONLY that is suggested but at the MOMENT it is not the APPROPIATE TIME because it needs a length discussions(mhux kemm tfaqqa sebghajk) This is Dr.Abela that have suggested.I agree but don't you think like i'm thinking that it will send the PARTY in a RUSH and a Choas in that day. Sorry Dr. Abela we're just pleasing the NATIONALIST PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christina Borg

Apr 24th 2008, 23:45

I would not have used the word ‘farce’ had it not been used by MLP supporters to describe what’s happening within their party at the moment. But allow me to express my gratitude that we can afford to see this ‘farce’ from MLP in opposition. Just imagine if another 800 Maltese citizens had chosen MLP in the last general elections.

The last time we watched this farce in Government was in Alfred Sant’s tenure as Prime Minister between 1996-1998, leading to MLP’s inability to govern beyond 22 months. And our country suffered the consequences.

Malcolm Seychell

Apr 24th 2008, 23:37

George Abela has to be praised for this. Even if he is not elected leader he managed to take power, from a few incompetent people which only interest is to safeguard their job and not to put MLP in government.

At least like this if an incompetent leader is chosen all the laburisti can be blamed

saviour cachia

Apr 24th 2008, 22:21

So the necessary backing for the petition to be presented as demanded by the Malta Labour Party statute was gathered. Now it is the MLP National Executive omen to decide. Hope that those concerned vote with their mind and not their heart, at what stage the changes needed in the said statue is done.
But with an election for a new leader looming, I think it would be wise not to miss such a chance to confirm the party's democratic credentials and give all the contestants an even and fair chance. What is the petition proposing is to the advantage of all the contestants and is not asking for any discrimination against anybody.
It is fair and simple: the additional participation of paid up members along with the delegates.
Maybe if things turn the other way round, that certain shady doubts might hang on the process and suspicion might arise that a candidate or two are being given a push to the detriment of others and maybe we will live again through the sad days of 1992, which certainly will not be of any benefit to the party.
I think waiving off such a petition and effecting statute changes after the leadership election will certainly not be in the best interest of the eventual winner.
So now it is official the number of paid up members qualifying to vote is 19,000. Does such a number offer the type of logistical problems, that the MLP, well known of not being afraid of challenges, is not able to surmount? Are five weeks not enough to solve any problems that might result from effecting the wish of 122 delegates?
Let us hope the final decision by the National Executive would favour the calling of an extraordinary general meeting for the delegates to give their decision whether they want to share the responsibility of electing the new leader with the paid up members.
Please let us not get that passionate and evaluate the message itself and not stress so much who is the messenger? The ball is in the National Executive court.

G. Sammut

Apr 24th 2008, 20:56

Another important question comes to mind. Why the Leader ONLY? Why can't we also vote for Deputy Leaders? What kind of farce is this?

danny attard

Apr 24th 2008, 20:26

This has cornered the Labour Party into a lose/lose situation. Should common sense prevail and the motion be defeated for obvious logistical reasons, the Labour party would be critisised for not embracing democratic proposals and would allow the hostile press to cast a shadow on any eventual winner (Dr Abela expected of course).

Should the motion be approved it would probably be a logistical nightmare and all natural shortcomings will be brought to bear on the eventual winner (unless this will be Dr Abela of course).

I therefore suggest the following:

Open election to all members
Voting to take place at Hamrun where the logistical challenges can best be managed
Offer free transport to all eligible members from all local clubs.

I know, it is easier said than done. The obnoxious nature of this incredible proposal however should spur the Party to one supreme effort for the sake of Labour's new leader.

Good luck

M. Camilleri

Apr 24th 2008, 20:20

I am a paid-up member and in the future would like to vote but right now is not the appropriate time. This is just a bloody farce from Abela's camp I'm really sorry to say

G. Sammut

Apr 24th 2008, 19:51

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I heard that there were approximately 30,000 paid up members. How, then, did this number decrease to 19,000 ?

“Such a broad process for the selection of the leader will also send a concrete signal to the electorate that the party has embarked on the road for renewal, with more direct participation in decision-making. Such a change will again put the Labour Party at the forefront of participatory democracy in the country.”

I agree completely.

But should this be implemented in such a rush it would send the Party into a great chaos; so I cannot help but feel that this petition is being submitted now simply for political convenience.

JOHN SCERRI

Apr 24th 2008, 19:15

Quote '19,000 party members would be eligible to vote, a number which Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi admitted posed a logistical challenge'.

Although I have no vote since I am not a member of any party ...Here is my Proposal just to help out.

1.Convert a number of MLP clubs into polling stations for one day - say from 0900hrs to 1900hrs.
2.Voters having a paid up membership card till end February 2008 may cast their vote in any club and submit their membership card to the electoral commission who will post it back to them after the election. This will be to eliminate any abuse of double voting.
3. All ballot boxes will be taken to HQ after the election and counted there.
4. NOTE: Voting can be made as a single transferrable vote system.
5. The candidate getting 50% +1vote of first preferences will win the contest.
6. In case none gets 50%+1vote, candidates getting the least votes will be eliminated , their votes being inherited according to second and third preferences etc.

In my opinion all valid votes will have a value and none will be wasted with this system.
More opinions can also help.

People will be voting for a would be future Maltese Prime Minister.
This is a serious decision which will effect all of us of whatever political creed.
I for one am not an MLP supporter but I wish things to be carried out properly by MLP and even PN and all the rest for the good of our country.
So there is no harm in trying to help , after all we are in the same boat together.

Sandra Mifsud

Apr 24th 2008, 19:08

This is a farce& It`s just an ultimate hope for george abela! I truly believe that the statue of the party should (if) only be amended after a lengthy discussion, and any changes should be aimed at the interest of the party, rather than to accomodate any individual! Till now, I was truly happy that George Abela decided to give it a try in taking the leadership of the party but I don`t think that changing the statute (now) is a good idea. I think it would hae been more wise and convincing if he lobbied to change the statute after he was elected as party leader! Sorry Dr Abela....I´m truly disappointed! we´re just pleasing the Nationalist Party!