Labour, please oblige!

It's not quite a cooling off period for the Labour Party. The leadership contest campaigning has actually gathered momentum and both the official and potential contenders are already showing signs of hyperactivity in enforcing their "internal" marketing strategy and keeping with their busy schedule. They have to reach out at party delegates to gain the widest possible support. Each one of them wants to demonstrate his/her worth for both the party and the country in terms of being "the right person at the right time". Not an easy task at all.

Now that they had overcome the censorship hurdle they have to cope with the impact of fierce lobbying that is going on, most of which behind closed doors. All of them declared that they want a just and transparent process, implying that a level playing field is not guaranteed as some might be considered more equal than others!

Party activists are anxious to see whether they would be asked to directly take part in the leadership election. The request had been made but the call for an extraordinary general conference to specifically vote on the motion to allow members to choose the MLP leadership still awaits the official announcement. Whatever the decision of the party establishment, the members expect that their views and wishes are clearly expressed by the vote of the party delegates as their legitimate representatives. That's one side of the coin.

The contestants have to prove themselves with the public as well. They have to face the pressures of the media and the scrutiny of the journalists and political analysts. The citizen does have an intrinsic interest in following up the proceedings of this political party affair. Once again, during this legislature, the leader of the party is the leader of the opposition. Potentially, he would be the Prime Minister in waiting. So, the whole process becomes an event of national importance. That puts more weight on the contenders' shoulders. Their aim should not be the success per se of winning the contest and, thus, occupying the highest post within the MLP hierarchy. Nor that they would endeavour to renew the party to make it "electable" once again but their main objective should be based on a long-term vision for the country rather than for the party itself.

The ambition of the leadership contestant should not cease at acquiring the hot seat of the party leader and, eventually, that of Premier, but should extent to the idea of gradually becoming a fully-fledged European statesman.

Before proclaiming their vision the contenders should instil a sense of security, trust and confidence in the people. Their leadership skills, their business management acumen, their organisational ability, their communication attributes have to be demonstrated in no uncertain terms during the campaign.

Being labelled as a visionary politician sounds trendy but the people tend to connect much more with politicians who have the ability of making things happen, those who adopt a hands-on approach, leaders who are little idealistic but much more pragmatic. People want drivers and doers not dreamers and sweet talkers.

It is not enough to promise a new beginning for the party, to promote the need for change within the internal structures, to admit past mistakes, to guarantee unity within the party. Those are matters for the inward-looking thought provoker. It takes much more than that to shake up intelligent minds of people who might be inactive members of the party, sympathisers of Labour policies or even floating voters to get closer to the party.

Being "inclusive" is much deeper than embracing the lost sheep!

The Labour leader needs to be progressive in the real sense of the word. In this respect, to my mind, those who have announced their nomination for the leadership contest are all valid contenders in their own right. Some do have better potential than others but all of them possess the right attributes to serve the nation whether from the opposition benches or in government. I dare say this is the bright side of politics and of the Malta Labour Party. Until a few weeks ago people expressed their scepticism as to who would replace Alfred Sant!

So the party delegates will not have an easy ride on June 5. There is quite a load on their plate. They might look at faces; they might think of the age factor; they might also value the level of experience and political maturity of the contestants and, at the back of their minds, they keep on depicting a scenario of their new leader debating and confronting Lawrence Gonzi!

But their prime duty is to deliberate consciously and responsibly in the national interest above all any other considerations.

The MLP needs an inspiring leader. The country needs a potential Prime Minister from the Labour camp. The government deserves to have a strong opposition. The people want the peace of mind that our democracy would not generate dysfunctional political systems - even if through legitimate means - such as a one-party state or deprivation of the alternation of government.

That is why Labour is in duty bound to oblige!

matyas@maltanet.net