Editorial
Labour's biggest dilemma
Never mind the gaffes made by Alfred Sant, Charles Mangion and Michael Falzon during the election campaign, what counts most for the Labour Party now is whether or not it would be able to recover from the internal turbulence it is going through at present. A commission charged with analysing the party's third election defeat in a row rips the party apart for its shortcomings but, surely, two of the most damning reasons it gives for the defeat are the fragmentation and the "self-destructive" dynamic of the different party cliques.
Hardly any party or organisation is immune to internal trouble or the inbreeding of cliques but, when the pull of such trouble or cliques strengthens itself to a proportion that affects the central unifying force, it often leads to derailment. This is what has happened to the MLP as it aimlessly struggled to get out of the mess it put itself into when, facing internal trouble, it went to the polls in 1998 after less than two years in government. It then went headlong into a bigger political mess when it so badly misjudged the island's political destiny and wrongly opted to fight against membership of the European Union.
One would have thought that losing one election after another would have made the party wiser. It did not. Yes, in the light of its 2003 election defeat, Labour did change its policy over EU membership but then top party men, including the leader, tripped over their feet when they made certain remarks during the election campaign that suggested that the party was not all that convinced in the reversal of their policy after all. At least this is the impression they had given the electorate before March 8. This, and so many other half-baked ideas in their programme, instilled very strong doubts as to the party's readiness to take over the country's administration.
One would have thought, too, that Labour had had enough time to strengthen its organisational structures and to draw up policies that really made sense.
Once again, it flopped badly. The report on the party's defeat at the polls speaks of a disorganised party machine and, worse, an organisational setting characterised by suspicion and paranoia. All this, and more, it said, reinforced the perception that if the party could not run a campaign, it could hardly be fit to run the country, which is what the Nationalist Party leader, Lawrence Gonzi, had so often remarked during the campaign.
The fact that there are no fewer than five contestants to the post of leader does not make any party rehabilitation programme easier, more so now when so close to the leadership election, one contestant has been given a push by the European Socialists' head, Martin Schulz, a move seen by the other contestants as deeply offensive, totally irregular and highly unethical. These are very strong words, not easily brushed aside in such a hotly-contested leadership election.
Indeed, the choice of the new leader is the biggest dilemma facing the party now, especially in view of the fact that George Abela is considered by many, including outsiders, as the candidate best suited to rehabilitate the party and make it electable again while the majority of party delegates appear to prefer Joseph Muscat. The party's future lies in the delegates' hands.
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Joe Martinelli
May 28th 2008, 14:34
If the old party machine is not completely dismantled and scrapped, the MLP will not change one iota even with a 'new' leader elected on June 5.
This is the same machine that barred the contestants from talking to the media, then reversed the decision - instituted open warfare against one contestant (and still does), stopped the contestants from appearing on Xarabank, convinced the delegates to shoot down a motion to permit card carrying members to vote for the leader and have the gall to say that the media (other than Super One and Radio One) are biased!
The MLP in general has reached a point where they cannot distinguish between honest advice and biased criticism. Sure there are a few poisoned pens out there but there are many who even if they are not Labour supporters, genuinely wish the MLP to modernize, cut lose from outdated policies and adopt a policy of cooperation in the interest of the country. This is no small task but it has to start somewhere. This is as opportune a time as any.
The new leader's task is enormous and he/she has to have the authority and freedom to dismantle the old sinister machine.
Joe Vella
May 28th 2008, 14:25
@ Peter Muscat
Mr. Muscat in the past the MLP delegates have demonstrated Great Intelligence in picking party leaders.
The problem in picking party leaders is not within the PN but within the MLP. If I was you I will be more concern with the latter leadership process. History is there to see.
By any chance do you belong to any of the talked about Kilkkas'.
George Cremona
May 28th 2008, 14:19
What kind of leadership are the labourites expecting to have from the contenders for the top post? All of them without exception had perched high into the public the party's and each other's dirt as well. By so doing they are putting themselves at fault not only with the delegates, not only with their members and supporters but with the whole electorate. Worse than that, they are even giving the impression that while they are prompt to blame each other, none of them is ready to accept or confess his/her faults. Such attitudes are normally resorted to by bad losers not by winners. This is the biggest dilemma which have been haunting the MLP for the past 25 years and seems to remain doing so in the future because names are changing but bad attitudes are not.
Mike Magri
May 28th 2008, 14:15
@PAUL MICALLEF..... I absolutely do not agree with your comment at all... I strongly feel that because this report was made public, and badly timed so too, ANYONE feeling annoyed by its comments or non- comments, have all the right to clarify his disagreement..
I can assure you Mr. Micallef, that NONE of these `persons` are in anyway, shape or form, in defending themselves and their integrity, acting like your `little grandsons` do...!!!!
I, for one and as a paid up member for a good number of years, admit that the WHOLE of the M.L.P. Administration is in some way or another, in fault of the loosing of the seemingly otherwise, general election..
But i also feel, that their should be no one person that should carry the burdon of any other
in the process..
ITS THE CAPTAIN THAT SHOULD STEER THE SHIP INTO PORT.... A L W A Y S.... BUT IT SEEMS THAT IN THIS CASE, HE HAD LOST HIS `BOXXLA`...!!!!!!
TOO MUCH `CLIKKA` AROUND.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sergio Galea Vincenti
May 28th 2008, 14:11
Mr. Micallef's comment is not correct: The report has been blasted to shreds by Dr. Michael Falzon during yesterday's press conference. It seems important documents were left out and that statements not reflecting the truth may have creeped in the report.
For those who know the workings of the MLP - and most delegates know - it is clear that within the MLP there was more than one faction with one faction identifying itself with the Leader running the show at the expense - or in spite - of senior officials statutorily appointed to carry out certain duties.
Dr. Falzon could have done a George Abela and done a runner: He did not because of a sense of loyalty to the Party and for this, he now is being conveniently lambasted for the faults of the same people who are now seemingly supporting another candidate.
These are the simple facts which put a whole new dimension to the 5th June contest. My conclusion is also that with the PN-oriented media endorsing wishfully both Dr. Abela and in a lesser way also Dr. Muscat, it is doing nothing but showing delegates the trap in which they should not fall into.
Paul Micallef
May 28th 2008, 12:40
What I find most disturbing in all this is that all of the persons involved in the running of the election and administration of the MLP is doing like what my little grandson say when caught doing something naughty: "It's not me"
Please have some decency and respect for the thousands of Maltese citizens that have always backed and supported the MLP and in view of what the report revealed: RESIGN
G. Borg
May 28th 2008, 11:45
Mr. Reuben Sciclun said that this is a sad moment for Malta. Though I can understand his comment, meaning that it is sad for Malta not to have a good and proper opposition, at the same time he must remember that Malta, as confirmed this week, has done wonders since the time the MLP has been out of power. Let's hope that Labour will continue to be left for a much longer time in the dark. The Nationalists in office is a garantuee that Malta will continue to prosper and soon to become one of the best in the EU.
victor caruana
May 28th 2008, 10:37
Given all the shortcomings within the Labour Party only 1500 votes separate the big parties. Results reflect the entities. This means that the PN is surely not better off. I wonder what will be the result when labour review its structures and start moving forward.
Peter Muscat
May 28th 2008, 10:28
Labour’s dilemma is becoming an obsession for the PN’s media and the ‘biased media’.
To cover such obsession such media claim the choice of MLP Leader is a “national matter too”. I quite agree though have lot of reservations about that.
The way the PN chose its Capo never made such headlines, even when the Capo was /are chosen by a handful of ‘the inner circle’. However, on such occasions ‘the oracles of doom’ were/are always fast asleep.
Most of the ‘above mentioned media’ and other ‘independent hyenas’ have been ‘canvassing’ for Dr. G. Abela. Others like “The Independent hyena” went further and maliciously spent most of her time discrediting the other contestants.
The crux of the MLP’s defeat is three important factors, and though, two are not mentioned, I am sure both are identified. The rest of the ‘MLP’s defeat report’ is superfluous. Enough said for the time being.
Whatever, the PN and its media, the biased media and the ‘oracles of doom’ say is not to influence the delegates. I am sure that the delegates are much more intelligent and responsible then those who spent these last few weeks throwing all at them.
Reuben Scicluna
May 28th 2008, 09:21
The choice of "The only way is up" as the MLP campaign "sound track" suddenly makes tonnes of sense because they'd have to drill to descend to deeper depths.
It's a sad moment for Malta.