Friday, 2nd May 2008
Labour pledges to use all democratic tools to protect people's interests
Three of the five Labour Party candidates for the top leadership post on June 5 (from left) Michael Falzon, George Abela and Joseph Muscat marching along Republic Street, Valletta yesterday during the celebration by the MLP of Labour Day. The other two candidates Evarist Bartolo and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca also attended the manifestation. Photo: Jason Borg.
The opposition will be using all tools made available by parliamentary democracy, including pairing, to stop the government from running roughshod over the people's interests, the acting leader of the Labour Party, Charles Mangion, said yesterday.
Speaking during the party's May 1 celebrations in Valletta, Dr Mangion said the MLP still represented just under half the electorate and would not be doing the government any favours by abandoning the duty democracy imposed on the opposition to criticise measures undermining the people's interests.
The government's proposal for the Speaker to be appointed from among the opposition MPs was an insult and the MLP was not ready to increase the government's majority of one to two seats in Parliament.
Labour would not forget the values that made it social democratic. It would stand up against any abuse and would not put itself in a corner and dwell in self pity.
At the same time, it had to have the courage to support and improve initiatives taken in the national interest. The party hoped that policies dealing with health, education, investment and foreign affairs would help the political parties find wider consensus.
It wanted to make its own proposals for the expansion of the economy. These had to be based on the reality of Malta within the European Union, the reality of globalisation and the changes in the trades and technical abilities required. They had to be based on the aspirations of young people and on Malta's competitive advantages and aimed at helping those who had fallen behind, developing the individuals' potential.
For this to be done the government had to give recognition to the fact that half of the electorate did not vote for it and these people had the right to see their aspirations respected.
An MLP demonstration, from St George's Square to Freedom Square in Valletta, included the participation of the five contenders for the election of party leader: George Abela, Evarist Bartolo, Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca, Michael Falzon and Joseph Muscat. They walked in one row behind the party's administration, led by Dr Mangion, to the applause of supporters.
Behind the contenders for the leadership post were the seven contenders for the posts of deputy leader: Carmelo Abela, Chris Cardona, Anġlu Farrugia and Josè Herrera for parliamentary affairs and Toni Abela, Clyde Cassar and Gavin Gulia for party affairs.
When speaking on the forthcoming leadership elections, Dr Mangion said it was natural for an election to create a certain tension. However, he was happy that, in a recent meeting he had with the contestants, they unanimously expressed satisfaction at how the party's electoral commission was handling the process.
While he would be doing his utmost to ensure that the smooth process continues to the very end, he hoped the contest would be civil, loyal, honest and based on the contestants' interest to strengthen the party.
He hoped the winner would ensure that no one would feel a loser and that all contestants would remain part of the party's team of capable people whose aim was to serve the people. The new leaders, he advised, should ensure that the selection process would not result in any one being emarginated.
Once the new leaders were chosen, Dr Mangion said, the party had to unite to spread its message in all households.
"If we unite and accept each other without any reservations, it will be easier to build a winning mentality. We have to be confident in ourselves and in our capabilities to convince the majority of the Maltese and Gozitans that the Labour Party has better solutions for the country."
Dr Mangion said that while everyone within the party would have one's own space to express an opinion, once a final decision is taken, this should be respected by all.
The opposition wanted the government to consult widely and seriously, and not just with the opposition, before making important decisions of a political nature.
A minute's silence in remembrance of the late President Sir Anthony Mamo, whose death was announced yesterday morning, was observed.
RSS
Comments
Let me remind you about a few things. The doctors, nurses, and Bank employees went out on strike in support of others that were being manipulated to go against anything and everything that Labour wanted or tried to change. Whether one agreed with what was going on or not, one should not inflict hatred, organise a policing squad and try to govern within a legitimate government and disrupt an administration that had THE MAJORITY OF SEATS AS WELL AS VOTES! Should we now disrupt everything and anything that this MINORITY admin. tries to do? SHOULD WE NOW ALL GO ON STRIKE BECAUSE GONZI ROBBED US OF 4 DAYS LEAVE? Some are already saying that we should remember how PN behaved itself in those days.
Then again, the objective of the argument was and still remains that it is RICH now to get a lesson about solidarity when the same Party tried to destabilise a legitimate Government! Should we listen to lessons about solidarity or should we say, we will do anything as long as the end justify the means?
If you had said that the Labour opposition and its' leader were gutless during these last 5 years, I would have agreed with you.
Since you are not aware of who uttered those words in 1977, then don't try to defend your lack of knowledge. History is history, but it will always remain there for all to learn. So stop throwing your toys out the pram and learn!
I guess you are proud of the Labour Govt's masterful management of events in the bleak years from 76 to 87 including the illegitimate period.
What you don't seem to understand is the basic tenet that Government is there to govern and the opposition is there to show how it can be an alternative. Like many Labour supporters you seem to be clinging onto a glimmer of hope that by making life difficult for the PN the Govt will fold. Thing is - it ain't gonna happen so you might as well live with it and get on with your life......and get one in the process!
The following was said after the 1976 election when Labour won with majority of seats as well as majority of votes.
Quote - "Jekk lill gvern niqfulu, il-hin kollu, dejjem, u f'kollox, jirrizenja jkollu" - unquote, Oooops!
Now let us see how well your memory serves you. Who said those exact words?
The Opposition should stand firm and insist on its rights - which are the rights of fully 50% of the Maltese electorate.
The people's interest is stability, progress, improving quality of life. It is not total negativity, obstacles and meaningless rhetoric. the people's interest is allowing the democratically elected party the ability to govern and get on with the job of progresing project Malta.
Earlier the acting Opposition Leader Charles Mangion was quoted as saying that the Labour Party should embrace change. They say charity begins at home - Charles Mangion should take his own advice and change the attitude of the Labour Party towards the Govt. The election was won - and lost - live with it; now let's all roll our sleeves up to keep moving in the right direction.
Dr Mangion conveniently forgot that when in 1981, PN had 51% of the people behind it, HIS PARTY, the MLP rode roughshod over all Malta putting Malta almost on a civil war course. Then KMB continued his course. So please Dr Mangion tell your MLP friends that the apology is long overdue and your party has never made it. A please continue acting like you usually do in Opposition, since it seems that the people have decided that THAT is your true and proper place. The NO party!