Politics of substance

During our meeting last week at Pietà, I took the opportunity to reiterate to Lawrence Gonzi my intention to forge a new way of doing politics that will enable us to open a new political season. We both agreed that confrontation should be on ideas. We also both agreed that we should actively seek political consensus, whenever we can, for the common good.

As an opposition we truly believe in doing politics of substance. We understand that this kind of politics requires from us the courage to differentiate between opportunism and responsibility even if it dilutes possible advantageous situations. It also requires from us the humbleness to declare right what's right and to participate in trying to do it better. We want to practise it not merely when people choose to vote us in government but, literally, as of now. If we can lend a helping hand to the government that would enable it to make the best decisions in the best interest of the people, we will do it without hesitation. Not out of political opportunism but out of conviction. This is how the opposition will move on, in and out of Parliament.

It goes without saying, however, that it takes two to tango. So far, we are disappointed. The government refused my personal and the opposition's call for a national front in the face of two national concerns: the future of the shipyards and STMicroelectronics.

The government's unilateral decision regarding the future of Malta Shipyards immediately dented our offer for consensus-building. We are not disappointed because such a decision was not merely mentioned in the PN's electoral manifesto; that's only for us to pinpoint and for the people to judge. But we are bitterly disappointed because, at the first test of putting into practice what is so needed in this scenario and what we believe we had already agreed upon, the government failed.

Instead of accepting our hand to work together on this issue, the government just refused it and did it his way: alone. Now they want us to agree with it before we know what's in store. Let me say it loud and clear: This is not what we believe in. This is no way part of some strategic gameplay in trying to buy in reputation and political mileage. We are here dealing with thousands of workers, their families and their daily livelihood.

They are no pawns to sacrifice. Their interests should indeed be safeguarded. On this we will not budge even in the face of this sheer arrogance.

It is pertinent to reiterate that we are not closing the door to any form of solution, including privatisation. What we are against is the way the government plans, for example, to downsize without, as far as we know, being aware of any potential investor's plans. We are also against doing whatever necessary, including unwarranted comments and actions, to put the shipyard itself in the darkest, most unattractive situation possible. In so doing, the government is literally trying hard as he might to throw the shipyard's value to the dogs. Which rational seller so foolishly does so?

On the shipyard's situation, however, we will not stamp our feet. We will not be proud and stubborn and refuse any government's late call to participate. Our offer for help and consultation remains open for Dr Gonzi to accept.

We will be proactive in the face of such sensitive situations. We prefer contributing towards striking the best deal that balances the necessities of the workers and their families with those of the taxpayers and the country in general rather than sit aback, criticise and score political points. This we will not do. It's up to Dr Gonzi to deliver his not-so-new "new style of politics" pledge. We are ready.

Dr Muscat is leader of the Malta Labour Party and a member of the European Parliament.

www.josephmuscat.com