Monday, 7th July 2008 - 13:15CET
Muscat writes to PM on proposed talks
The Labour Party today published a letter sent by its leader, Joseph Muscat, to the Prime Minister, suggesting items for discussion as a means to strengthening democracy.
Dr Muscat wrote that despite the government’s attitude to the opposition and several social partners, the MLP was ready, in the national interest, to embark on measures to strengthen democracy.
The suggested topics, revealed yesterday by Dr Muscat himself, are:
A law on transparent party funding; a law to regulate the functions of a caretaker government; better resources to MPs especially in view of new demands made by EU legislation; a change in the appointment and composition of PBS management and editorial boards;
Amendments for a fairer electoral law; justice for those people whose cases have been upheld by the Ombudsman or the Tribunal for the Investigation of Injustices and capping of government revenue from duties on fuel at June 2008 levels.
Dr Muscat reiterated that except for the electoral law, the MLP was prepared to wrap up such talks by September.
Once these proposals were implemented, the MLP would be prepared to discuss parliamentary procedures including standing orders and appointments, including that of the Speaker, Dr Muscat wrote.
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Comments
I am a labourite, but for the sake of true democracy i agreed with you 100%. Pls do away with the unbalanced system of having votes for the small parties wasted altogether. But yes, the electoral reform should seek a formula or system that guarantee a stable government, with the party with the biggest number of no 1 votes earning the right to govern..the rest to sit on the opposition benches.
Please note that the Opposition Leader is Dr Charles Mangion and not Dr Joseph Muscat or Dr Angelo Farrugia that weeks ago had been elected by the MLP delegates as the leader and Dep leader respectively. This mistake is probably due to the new bureaucracy within a New Political season.
I wonder why all this fuss about the pairing arrangement between the parties represented Parliament when the Speaker can easily introduce a system by which those MPs on official duties abroad can easily vote online through a secure website with an allocated password after following the debate through the website by means of a LIVE streaming. If we truly believe in democracy we should give the powers required to our representatives and not creating more partisan bureaucracy that will surly is unhealthy for the National interest.
I think that it is also time to introduce some form of voting at the embassies abroad for example during a general election instead of pretending that citizens working abroad who knows were, must come to Malta to cast their vote in the Nation’s interest.
We'll wait and see
In his role as Opposition Leader, he has an even better opportunity to work for Malta's best interest with great energy, determination and commitment. He had promised that he would not sit gallarija and just criticize should he be elected as party leader, and so we are seeing.
Keep it up, Joseph!!