Editorial
Steering Labour in the right direction
George Abela must be a great optimist indeed if, as he publicly proclaimed a few days ago, he has not been disheartened by the overwhelming vote against a motion to allow Labour paid-up members to vote for the new party leader together with the delegates. Optimism is a useful attribute to a prospective leader but, while Dr Abela may still feel that all is not lost, those who pinned their hopes on him for a root-and-branch change in the party might have had their spirits dampened.
The fact is that of the 793 eligible votes, only 165 were in favour of the motion. True, this fact alone does not necessarily mean that all those who voted against the motion are also against Dr Abela being elected to the party's leadership. Hopefully, they are not. However, since the idea for paid-up members to be allowed to vote in the election for the party leader had been promoted by Dr Abela, the conference vote was interpreted by many as a vote against him.
It is hard to understand how Dr Abela can find it satisfactory that only 165 voted in favour of the motion. To his way of thinking, this showed that people wanted change within the party. Dr Abela enjoys widespread respect and was − and still is - seen by many as the person most likely to succeed, if he is given the chance, to bring about the change party stalwarts and contestants for the leadership post have been talking about since the March 8 election defeat. It was believed that Dr Abela would have had a greater chance of winning the leadership vote if the party extended the right to vote for the election to paid-up members. The way ahead for him now seems more difficult than he might have, at first thought.
It is also hard not to draw conclusions from conference votes, subjective as these may be at this stage.
The most obvious one is that, despite all the declarations of intent made so far by the other party contestants and by so many Labour people about the need for the party to steer a new course, in fact the delegates appear to have chosen the status quo, that is, if the interpretation generally given to their vote is correct.
Of course, delegates may well disagree with this assertion, arguing that the other contestants are equally committed as Dr Abela to see that the party reforms itself in its bid to become electable again.
They may well be right but the point is that, generally speaking, and however hard this may sound on the other candidates, Dr Abela is increasingly being seen as the most likely candidate to have the greatest chance of reaching out to Labour people who for one reason or another have strayed away from the party since 1998 and, more importantly, of rehabilitating the party to a degree that would make it appealing both to new and uncommitted voters. This is the crux of the challenge facing Labour today.
The ball is in the delegates' court again. Those running for the top post have laid out their vision for the party and are raring to go.
However, it is up to the delegates to decide who of the candidates is best suited to transform the MLP into a modern party that could once again become credible enough to be considered as an alternative government, thus ensuring alternation of power. A wrong decision at this point in time could well lead to a situation where Labour would find it difficult to win back the trust required to make it electable again.
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Michael Debono
May 21st 2008, 20:24
@ Joe Vella and Sultana.(my last contribution was derailed. Here is how it should read)
When writing about the past there is nothing more convincing than quoting or give suggestions not just rhetoric. Attributing fault that one has read about without giving any details is just smoke and nothing else.
To give a helping hand there is no need to ask permission. There are news papers and other fora where to express ones opinion. I presume that all those who send letters to news papers don’t ask for somebody’s permission. It is the Editor a stranger to the relevant subject that judges whether to publish or not. Is this not what certain critics of the MLP have done and are doing to hurt.
Finally I am sure the editor of this paper is more than ready to publish our conflicting opinions and thus keep the flame alive. A good resolution is to stop contributing here. That is what I have resolved on my part. Hope others will follow. Let us not blow the wind to raise more dangerous waves that could sink the ship we are trying to get safe into port.
Michael Debono
May 21st 2008, 10:16
When writing about the past there is nothing more convincing than quoting or give suggestions not just rhetoric. Attributing fault that one has read about without giving any details is just smoke and nothing else.
To give a helping hand there is no need to ask permission. There are news papers and more dangerous waves that could sink the ship we are trying to get safe into port.
other fora where to express ones opinion. I presume that all those who send letters to news papers don’t ask for somebody’s permission. It is the Editor a stranger to the relevant subject that judges whether to publish or not. Is this not what certain critics of the MLP have done and are doing to hurt.
I propose to stop contributing on such sensitive subject. That is what I have resolved on my part. Hope others will follow. Let us not blow the wind to raise a tempest an prevent the ship to reach port safely
Michael Debono
May 18th 2008, 12:18
@Mr.Cilia
Jew b'xejn jew xejn! That was Dr.K.Mifsud Bonnici slogan.
What is the present position?
Are Church schools charging school fees or are they free? In Maltees are they b'xejn?Hence they are still there. In similar circumstances it is always witnessed that it is not the message that is taken into account but the messenger. Its proverbial! No? A list of such happenings could fill pages.The future will also provide a number of similar situations.Just think about a very sensitive subject and wait.
This applies world wide mind you, not Malta only.
A. Sultana
May 18th 2008, 02:45
@ Michael Debono
Not even if there where five George Abelas helping in the 8th March election could the Labour win. The people who made us lose an election after an other were not open for help, those who even dared open their mouth were instantly silenced and in some cases treated like traitors.
To make MLP electable we do not need just a new fresh leader, or a facelift on the existing structure but we need a totally new way of doing politics and a new attitude baring respect towards the people. We need truly a NEW BEGINNING and that can only be obtained by having the slate cleaned and a positive person like Dr Abela at the helm of this restructuring mission.
The other contenders where the ones who had the chance and the opportunity to do something in the last 10 years and blew it. They had a voice and where part of the driving force that made Labour a chronic looser. They chose to blow the same trumpet of death together with the power junkies of Hamrun. It will be hard for us to trust them because we know they are just changing the tune and not the instrument.
Ronnie Gauci
May 18th 2008, 02:35
If Dr. George Abela will not be elected as MLP leader it will be the second and biggest loss for the party this year and I have to say a loss also for all Maltese citizens as in 2013 everyone will be able to vote without worrying about who gets elected so more peace of mind. Michael Falzon is also capable of giving a new face to the party as he speaks open on what has to be done so let's pray one of them gets the job.
The others in my opinion are acting too much on the defensive which is clear proof that what they're aiming at are just the delegates' votes and sympathy and all they want is to realize their lifelong ambition of being leaders of their party. The party's situation at the moment needs a leader with "attributes" not dreamers and I don't see any in these three.
Joe Vella
May 18th 2008, 02:06
@ Saviour Cachia
Readin your commnets there is a hell lots of HOPING to be done by the MLP to be done from now till 2013.
Just keep on dreaming my friend, from what I have seen so far.
Joe Vella
May 18th 2008, 01:58
@ Patrick Vella
I only hope that they listen for the MLP sake.
@ Micheal Debono
Whom are you kidding, my friend. Haven't you heard Michael Falzon, Deputy Leader, Party Affairs, saying that he was denied from seeing MLP polling information during the last election. And you honestly believe that George Abela would have been welcomed to give his 5 cents worth.
the problem with the MLP in the last years have been that it has been the Party of exclusivness and inclusivness.
Charles P Cilia
May 18th 2008, 01:55
I would forget Dr. Sant and move on. This is a golden opportunity for the Labour Party to sort itself out and be a credible alternative and electable government.
Since Dr. Sant has been elected leader, the party has been going one way, and that’s downhill. With all due respect to the gentleman, he has been and will always be a political failure. Labour supporters argue that he is very intelligent, which no doubt he is. But unfortunately, a disaster to to have around, either as a leader or a follower. Although, I very much doubt if he can ever be the latter, given his self confessed stubbornness.
Having Dr. George Abela on the ballot sheet as leader come next general elections might tempt me to try MLP again. I say again because I am one of the victims from the thousands way back from the ‘jew bxejn jew xejn’ era. Remember ? scares the pants off me......
Michael Debono
May 17th 2008, 19:56
Had Dr.George Abela give the least helping hand to the MLP during the 8th March election campaign instead of keeping himself aloof, the MLP might have won the elections.But that would have precluded Dr.G.Abela from contesting the post of leader.
It could be that some dissenting voices preferred to see Dr.A.Sant resign from the leadership than the MLP winning the elections.
This seems also true when taking into account the position taken by Dr. Dominic Fenech and Mr.Alfred Mifsud vis a vis Dr.A Sant after the defeat of the MLP.
Patrick Vella
May 17th 2008, 19:36
@ Joe Vella
There is a big pressure on the delegates from the paid-up members and MLP voters to elect Dr. George Abela.
saviour cachia
May 17th 2008, 17:56
Dear Editor, only time will tell. Alas you have to wait for June 5th or a bit later, as we paid up members will be doing, to actually know whom the MLP delegates will be trusting with the responsibility to lead our party to a very looked forward victory in the 2013 general elections.
Certainly being elected leader of the MLP can only be considered a half-baked success. The proof of the pudding will be in 2013. Perhaps after all only then all of us will have the full answer whether the delegates are going to be right in the decision they are going to take on June 5, 2008.
Electing a new leader and remaining loser in 2013 will amount to nothing, but sheer desperation to those who wholeheartedly have been following the party let say for the sake of argument from the 1987 general elections. Till then, It was only in 1996 that the general elections went Labours way. Present in that winning trio was Dr. George Abela. Maybe for those taking part in the polls his return has a meaning and inspire hope, but I cannot vouch what will happen where the MLP delegates are concerned.
On their part, if we take the result on the defeated motion in favour of paid up members voting along with the delegates for the new MLP leaders, things are pointing to maybe another direction. Simply said; a rejection of Dr. George Abela ever taking the helm of the MLP.
But the result of the petition as such cannot be taken as final. We know the number of hurdles Dr. George Abela managed to surmount so far, battling of all things against opposition from persons in high positions in the same MLP.
Yet he is still there. The general public seems to be regarding Dr. George Abela not only a valid contender, but the bridge to reach disgruntled labourites, pro-European Union labourites, floating voters and who knows, maybe, even the young generation.
Dr. George Abela is being considered by many as the key to upset the PN's apple cart and 2013 will see the MLP back in power with an overall majority.
It is a very pertinent question, whether the MLP delegates are seeing the position this way. At least I hope so. Or at least I hope that in the coming three weeks the MLP delegates will with full responsibility evaluate the challenge ahead of them: they will not be merely appointing a party leader, but as paid up members of the MLP it is within our right to expect them to choose the next Prime Minister of Malta, coming 2013.
Their choice on June 5, 2008, will have a big bearing on the chose of the electorate in the general elections of 2013. Undoubtedly, we labourites diehard deserve much better than was obtained in the last three general elections.
And even the general electorate has already shown us that the mood for a change of government was looming, but something on the MLP side went adrift. I do not know who with full responsibility will be carry the burden of seeing the MLP loser once again, when all odds - minus incumbency- were in our favour.
Where the right decisions taken at the opportune time? Did MLP administration evaluated what would have offered a better chances; a general election in March or maybe in May? The MLP had a blessing in disguise, but did not manage to tilt it to its favour. Yes it was the Prime Minister prerogative when to go to the polls, but certain circumstances would have given him some headaches. Unfortunately, matters were made much easier for him on the MLP's part, being so confident that victory was totally ours.
Joe Vella
May 17th 2008, 17:21
@ Patrick Vella
Giving the chain of events so far, can you tell me why you thinkg that the Delegates are going to elect Georger Abela as leader.
Please, do not tell me you drean in techno colour.
Patrick Vella
May 17th 2008, 11:56
Altough i am not a delegate, i am convinced that the delegates are going to elect Dr. George Abela as our party leader because they surely know that ONLY Dr. Abela could transform the MLP into a modern party that could once again become credible enough to be considered as an alternative government.