Micallef's role to be downsized

David Gatt

Aug 12th 2008, 22:15

@Mike Magri

Thing is... even the PN's members are elected this way. A relative majority is enough. For god's sake... even this government is in power with a relative majority!! What are you saying we're supposed to do? Throw him down from power?

I think the CEO thing is a very good idea. Infact it had been proposed to Labour many years ago. Dr Muscat will be implementing this cause he's not afraid of anyone and he means to do the right thing

Maybe the Pn supporters will find this strange. I can understand them... they are used to sticking to old rules and doing nothing to promote change.

mark tanti

Aug 12th 2008, 20:50

Any party's general sec. should be the pride of the party. (on the MLP side comes to my mind M.L. Coliero). The general sec. should be the back bone of every leader and that of the party. A party gen,sec should have great administrative capabilities but first and foremost he should be a great politician because party delegates elect him to win general elections. Without mentioning names and not trying to sound political just remember who were the NP gen.sec. since EFA was elected leader of the NP and judge their achievements. Dr Muscat must not forget that he is the leading of a political party and not of a commercial entity. Rendering the post of the party gen sec. to that of minimum importance will not reflect the party's delegates wish who although like me and many others feel that they were mistaken in their choice, the fact still remains that they have voted for a gen. sec. who can lead them to a next gen.elect.victory.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Aug 12th 2008, 20:39

@ All those who are speaking as if this CEO thing is the best thing since bread and butter......

.....Joseph Muscat is just trying to fix the huge problem (electing a loser) that Labourites themselves have created. So before Mr.Jeremy throws another tantrum at all those who disagree with him and list a few other adjectives (we've got used to them now!!!!) remember that it was
1----The MLP defeat Report which pointed its fingers at Jason
2----It was jason who told Sharon Ellul Bonici that the MLP doesn't need her and Anna Mallia
3----It was the delegates who against common sense voted for the person who was described by MICHEAL FALZON as "pastaz", Tal-misthija", "arroganti" etc etc.....

...........so dont expect us to light a candle and look in awe just because JM (who kept silent and never said anything about CEO's before the GS election!!) is trying to fix the mess Labourites themselves put him in!!!

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Aug 12th 2008, 18:21

DEAR JASON.
TAKE ON LIP READING - JOSEPH DOES NOT WANT YOU. JUST DO THE HONOURABLE THING FOR ONCE AND RIDE OUT INTO THE SUNSET.
DO YOU NOT REALISE THAT YOU ARE A LIABILITY TO THE PARTY AND BECAUSE OF YOU FLOATERS WILL STAY AWAY FROM THE LABOUR PARTY.
JOSEPH'S ELECTION WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR MANY BUT YOUR RE-ELECTION SIMPLY SPELLS DISASTER.
THE MAJORITY OF DELEGATES HAVE SPOKEN - 'JASON GO'.
DO NOT INTERPRET THE VOTES YOU GOT AS - 'GO JASON'.

DARIN FARRUGIA

Aug 12th 2008, 14:56

I cannot understand the MLP. Re-electing Jason Micallef was crazy!!! Another mistake by the delegates..... one after the other!!!. Don't these people ever learn. Now we are going to have a CEO.. What will be Micallef's role. What will be Toni Abela's role? Isn't this our money down the drain?. Had the delegates elected a proper, outgoing intelligent general secretary, there would be no space for a CEO or Deputy leader for party affairs!!!!. You don't need to go to Harvard University to understand such basic things, but I really think that the delegates are rather confortable in opposition!!!!. Their vote should reflect what we labour supporters want. I just still can't believe what they did....... political murder!!!!!!. Sorry Joseph Muscat, but you have a hill to climb which is getting steeper every day!!!!!.

David Gatt

Aug 12th 2008, 14:14

Once again Dr Muscat is showing that he really is a natural born leader. He's got guts to make changes for the good, something which Dr. Gonzi clearly lacks by not taking any action against JPO.

J.Borg

Aug 12th 2008, 12:02

How is it that when MLP does something everyone starts critiscising the action taken.
What would have happened if JM wasn't elected, you wouldn't have anything to write about.....or maybe you would have also.
Also, as far as i know Joe Muscat just wrote that there will be changes and didn't mentioned what these will be....i don't think he mentioned the CEO thing.
So how on earth we start saying that this will infact happen....why can't you wait and then start writing about the proposals.
No wonder we are called maltese gemgem.
Well said J.Camilleri, the people who write here aren't floaters but PN moaners.

Mike Magri

Aug 12th 2008, 11:38

Dear JOSEPH...... I fully agree with you that the Party should have a CEO.

However, that does not alter in ANYWAY the sacrosant fact, that Mr. J. Micallef as Gen Sec., DOES NOT have the majority of the delegates behind him, let alone that of the members...!!!!!!

Therefore, Mr. Micallef should start his way of finding another job somewhere, as I, for one, AM NOT ready in Anyway, Shape or Form, to fund and/or subsidize ANY part of his hefty salary anymore, so long as he is still a Sec. Gen. appointed ONLY with a MINORITY of 44% of the delegates, with the other 56% saying a CLEAR CUT NO to him.........!!!!!!!!.

My Best of Wishes for you and the Party, Joseph....

mark tanti

Aug 11th 2008, 22:16

I.Abela, You surely are not the person who will tell me what to do. Incompetance is always a bad thing and it should never be accepted from any party. The differenc between Dr.Muscat and dr.Gonzi is that when the time came for Dr Gonzi to completely change his cabinet he eliminated the incompetent ministers and parl.secretries.. On the other hand Dr Muscat (whom I admire and not as you are thinking). did not manage to eliminate JM and now he came in a postion to create another position in the party which will cost him a lot of money.
At least the projects you mentioned are all benifial for our country. Incompetency by Labour resulted always in loss of money and nothing benificial for the country Like Dirajn Il Maltin, Izra u rabbi, etc etc.. And please do not mention the EU.
I Abela we will always remain friends even if we do not think the same. :)

s.bugeja

Aug 11th 2008, 14:06

@ Jeremy J Camilleri
And yet the PN was proven right!

Gerard mangion

Aug 11th 2008, 10:06

@ a borg

You are so right my friend, Yes J.M Must be given more time yea and how !
He got five more years to find time and space , If this CEO HRAFA wont backfire on him !

philip pace

Aug 11th 2008, 09:56

Welcome to the circus,
I do not like to enter in this political writing coming from the diehards Labourites or Nationalists, or from some 'floating' voters or liberals or................

I sincerely think that this is a very astute move by Dr.Joseph Muscat. See it how you like it is a very intelligent move to downside Jason Micallef's role in the Labour party.

From a political point of view and understanding this is a very positive move that would pay off good dividends.

In my opinion, the Labour Party should be honest and clear that the Mile End major role is not a home only to the chosen few who have committed a lot of damage by their loose talk and the way they do things as if they are the little important gods of their realm.

The Mile End headquaters should be a place for all Maltese and Gozitans of any belief/creed/colour can visit and meet the Labour MPs and voice their concerns.

But with these few who have made it their home/domain this was a very impossible thing for the citizens to do and I hope that Dr.Muscat would change this as well.

Top bananas.

Mark Bonello

Aug 11th 2008, 09:31

Hats off to Joseph Muscat, one very big step forward! Keep them coming

J. Pace

Aug 11th 2008, 04:26

Poor J. Muscat. Being a floater, I was really surprised that Jason was elected again, and now double surprise by this move! WOW...This is clearly a move to throw out Jason, but if J. Muscat has the balls, then throw him away and not inventing a new post!!! Sorry guys, but who can trust this party in goverment? Even if J.Muscat can be (yet to see) a great leader, his team mates are complete clowns - thus so far can't be trusted in goverment.

martin portelli

Aug 11th 2008, 00:04

@ A . Borg
Spot on re European parliament did you mean wasteful duplication? It is not a matter of weeks anymore Joseph Muscat needs to deliver. At this point, it looks like fatigue is already setting in. He had a golden opportunity to prove his much hyped gutsy no nonsense manner and what did he do? He allowed the charade to proceed to this stage and then issues a paternalistic stern warning re seismic mutterings. (We needn’t analyse that particular event because there were too many clues in body language that gave the game away). Are we talking of second chances already? How about living up to the expectation of the home crowd for once? A great number are getting impatient! Joseph Muscat et al must keep in mind that political trust and loyalty are earned not given unconditionally. They are earned through action. At the moment, intention is at best ambiguous.

I Abela

Aug 10th 2008, 22:55

@ Mark Tanti - Nobody is a wizard and nobody can say what JM would do if he were PM. However this article should make you think more and talk less. Joseph could have asked Jason not to contest, but what if Jason refused? And then still got elected? How would the 2 topmost figures in the party look at each other then? And since this is a democratic process Joseph couldn't force Jason not to contest. On the otherhand, it seems that Joseph knows that Jason is not fit for the job, and is taking measures to downsize his role. You can call that damage control if you want. The word 'control' should say it all.

Re your comment to create new positions in public sector to do the work of incompetent persons......you think they will cost us more?? What if the incompetent person makes a very bad deal costing the country millions of Euros? Eg. the Drydocks contracts, the Mater Dei contracts, Oil Hedging agreements, Lost European Funds, etc etc. How many millions did these mistakes by incompetent persons cost the country?

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 10th 2008, 22:44

S. Bugeja...Pn have been claiming that Mlp had an unelectable leader for the past 60 years.

Lets bet that they'll be saying the same about Muscat in a year's time. Are you living on Mars? Alfred Sant was satan way before 1996.....Remember that?

As for Mr. Wain..as long as everything looks rosy on the Pn front, why worry?

As for Joseph Agius...not very humorous..just childish and pathetic...
As for the delegates...well, I guess not loads of people can compete with your brains and superior intellect......shades of Mensa i'm sure.......The Labour party needs you....well...not only the Labour party...but Malta...and the world...such gifts are rare....

A.Borg

Aug 10th 2008, 22:15

I really believe that in today's world, political parties should be run on a professional basis: accountable officials appointed by admin, have a business plan, own effective media, kazini ghall-birra turned into party antennas for political formation, come up with progressive ideas and follow a modern European model when it comes to political campaigning.

Joseph's experience at the European Parliament, having dealt with a number of European MEPs and political parties, institutions and structures, augurs well that his motto for a new political season will actually come in to place.. but we cant expect that everything falls in place in a few weeks. Just give him time and space..

mark tanti

Aug 10th 2008, 21:14

Does this mean that if Dr Muscat is elected PM he will be creating new positions in the public sector to do the work of incompetent personell . Well I think that this will be costing us a lot of money.

Joseph Agius

Aug 10th 2008, 21:14

@jeremy camilleri. Just for the record I am very democratic. I was misunderstood- what i meant is that while the delegates were sitting down they were crushing their brains...meaning their brains are in their ..........now you know what i mean! more humourous than undemocratic lol!

having said that I have a lot of respect for George Abela, Michael Falzon, Alfred Grixti, Gavin Gulia, Chris Cardona, Marie louise Coleiro etc....while others like the Gouder journalist and jason et al kind of turn me off!....so I could have floated if things turned the other way!

I Abela

Aug 10th 2008, 21:06

Floating Voters? Here in Malta? Don't make us laugh !!

In Malta there are only Hardcore voters and opportunistic voters. Floating voters are extremely rare and judging by the comments below, NONE of you is a floating voter. On the other hand there are quite a lot of opportunistic voters, ie. Find a job for my son and you'll get my vote, OR fast-track my MEPA application and you'll get my vote OR award me that contract and get my vote.

LOL LOL LOL Floating voters LOL Look at AD and AN performance. Where are the floating votes? If there were as many floating voters as you all mention, they AD and AN should have got a much better result right?

Martin Portelli

Aug 10th 2008, 20:34

I can't wait until the CEO's job specification is outlined. At this point I see no pragmatic solution nor damage limitation but simple hand waving. Why would delegates be asked to chose a SG who role is that of a front man/woman & spokesperson and then be told that that post will be purely administrative. Will this mean that the leadership will now choose the party front man/woman? Will he/she be voted in? I wouldn't call that pragma. Why all the bother of creating a new CEO role, couldn't pragmatic Joseph Muscat have accepted the 50 +1 % rule for the GS election, now that would have been pragmatic and democratic.

Abel Abela

Aug 10th 2008, 20:21

It is clear from this article that the Sunday Times has absolutely NOTHING in its hands. But how can one resist the mid-summer excitement of speculating the downsizing of the role of party general sercretary according to 'sources close to the MLP'?
Dear Sunday Times journalists may I respectfully point out - you have a whole cabinet of eight former Ministers of the PN Cabinet sitting on the back benches of what is now GONZIPN - rubbing shoulders with the Martyr of Mystra - the gentlemen were unceremoniously pensioned off from their ministerial jobs thanks to the advice of the Great Genius RCC - how come we never read ANYTHING about them Now that's MASSIVE DOWNSIZING.
And dear Sirs - so much to read about Jason this and Jason that - and not a word about the new PN secretary General Dr Paul Borg Olivier who was democratically elected by......41 people?!!!!!

David Wain

Aug 10th 2008, 19:36

Jeremy J Camilleri, as a floating voter I have no particular interest in how tparty officials are elected. What I see is what they have to offer. And if one bases his judgment on the history of your present officials, the future does look bleak

s.bugeja

Aug 10th 2008, 19:04

@ Jeremy J camilleri
Have you forgotten already that it was the PN who used to tell you that the MLP with A. Sant as leader was unelectable? were they lying then? if you had taken the suggestion who knows you may have won the election.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 10th 2008, 18:15

Mela..for Mr.Wain..I am NOT even a paid member of the Malta Labour Party. So telling me what to do and NOT to do is rather amusing. Actually, in the past, I have been known to publicly go against what certain Labour party leaders had ordained..but thats another story for another day.....

As for you, if you were sincerely a floating voter, you would also critisice the way in which the PN elects its leaders.

As for Joseph Agius...well..perhaps you are one of those thin skinned individuals who cnstrue everything as an insult...As for calling yourself a floater...well..to be a floater, one must believe in democracy...and well....Calling on any leader to crush people's brains...well...not exactly democratic is it?

Stephen Sultana

Aug 10th 2008, 17:58

Great leader with great vision......... this is what our country needs rather than superfluos promises and dictatorship!! Keep up the good work Joseph - we are ALL united behind you!!

Charles J Buttigieg

Aug 10th 2008, 17:56

Some might construe this as damage control and I am inclined to follow that school of thought. Is that so bad? Joseph is giving more attestation of his pragmatic approach to politics. He is the leader of the most progressive group in Malta and when he sees danger he doesn’t yell for help helplessly, he steers the ship away from harm’s way and salvages. And in a salubrious style too.

Democratic Prime Ministers in democratic countries are given the prerogative to plump for their cabinet ministers. The civil servants are chosen on meritocracy. Why should therefore a progressive political party work with antiquated systems that although democratic do not give the desired efficient results?

The democratically elected Labour executive members, Jason Micallef not excluded, are very valid people and a credit to Labour but this does not mean that that they all fit well in the designated post which they were elected to fill. Share holders elect a non executive Chairperson and a group of non executive director’s .In turn the board of directors hires the required human recourses on the bases of merit to execute the decisions taken by the directors in accordance to the policies of the owners.

David Wain

Aug 10th 2008, 17:18

Jeremy J Camilleri, yours is the very same error your party continuously committed time and time again before last election and the one before.... whoever disagrees must be a fanatical nationalist! What would you call yourself...a balanced floating voter?

How can you ever, every expect any floater to vote for the officials you managed, through some sick joke, to elect? Don't look at the Nationalists, they have won the last election. You had to get your own house in order and instead brought back dinosaurs from the 80s and kept a totally inept general secretary. PROSIT!!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Aug 10th 2008, 17:02

I believe Dr. J. Muscat has given importance to the many negative remarks posted. I am glad that, at least, comments which have the interest of the MLP at heart are not being ignored.

Other comments directed at the PN quarters are, in my opinion, superfluous. If I need to organise my house, it is no use commenting that my neighbour's house is not in order - even if this happens to be in a much worse state than mine!

Joseph Agius

Aug 10th 2008, 16:48

@ jeremy camilleri-
thank you jeremy for explaining exactly why labour can never win an election. Keep holding close to your chest the hard core labourites who really know how to use their vote!!!!!! lol and insult the voters the MLP really needs.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 10th 2008, 16:39

Its so educating to see loads of PN fanatics, who would never vote for labour if their life depended on it, sticking their Pinnochio like noses into a democrat process.

Perhaps, when you're finished, you could propose other things, so that the Labour party could further better itself...

Perhaps a suggestion for the Labour party to have an official ruling elite deciding everything for all....It happens in the Pn party doesn't it?

Not fool proof though is it?....In 1996 didn't a certain Dr.Gatt made some terrible mistakes of his own?? But now we've all made him our pet minister with the steel...well....you know....?

Forgive and forget..I wonder....

Charles Camilleri

Aug 10th 2008, 16:18

i think that such Administrative jobs should not be left at the whims of the party delegates or councilors. Party secretary besides being a talented person should possess good Administrative skills and should be a good communicator. Besides being close to the leader, he must also have good relations with the party officials. So however laudable it might sound, the delegates very often do not take into consideration these factors. This is not something democratic or not. It is simply that you have to have the right person for the job. With JM choosing a GEO for the party and sidelining JM he is just doing this. So why not go for the Nationalist system and let the Party Executive chose the secretary who will be accepted by the majority with whom he has to work for the benefit of the party.

Doris Farrugia

Aug 10th 2008, 16:15

Very well done Joseph. You put enthusiasm back in all of those who had lost it because of the result of the administration election. I see some comments here saying that not enough details were given. Well the story was carried by a Times journalist from the few information they had, and they must be given credit for that, but one has to consider that this was not an official MLP release with full blown details. I am sure that Joseph Muscat will say what is necessary in the right opportune time. Keep on doing a great job Joseph.

Joseph Caruana

Aug 10th 2008, 16:01

Oh!
So to Plan B now?

a.dalli

Aug 10th 2008, 15:10

A good move indeed. True democracy will have been served. Also the like of his mentor R.Pellegrini should go....................

Ronnie Gauci

Aug 10th 2008, 14:51

So the MLP is recognizing the fact that the smaller Jason's size is within the party the greater the chances of avoiding a humiliating defeat in the next election will be and maybe go for another respectful loss. So why not throw him out in the first place? Maybe that way will change their fortunes. Why not investigate Michael Falzon's claims and act on them? Or they aren't serious enough? What's stopping Joseph in doing so??

Alex Ellul

Aug 10th 2008, 14:29

Joseph Muscat's declaration of downsizing Jason Micallef's role by creating the post of a CEO without giving any details is in my opinion, a kite flyer. We do not know if this new position will be filled by means an election and at what party level and if it will be 50%+1 or first-past-the-post or just hand-picked by JM himself.

JM may just as well down size the roles of his two deputies too, considering that these two are seen as political dinosaurs in the eyes of the floating voters. And its the floating voter who decides a national election and not the party faithful.

Meanwhile JM has to thread very carefully, since the proposed new position may create two parties within the MLP, if these do not exist already.

Edward Micallef

Aug 10th 2008, 13:35

@ Joe Gerada
Has it ever occured to you that besides red and blue there are purple people aka floating voters out there? why do you brand anyone who criticises the MLP as nationalist? that's one of your problems. by downgrading JM's role, JM is declaring that he has no confidence in the delegates who voted for Jason. And to throw in my bet as to who will be CEO I bet it will be Alfred Grixti.

edwin Formosa

Aug 10th 2008, 13:27

i am old enough to remember the MLP Story. Mintoff jaqlibha lil Boffa and later, selects his successor (KMB) himself. KMB tried to do the same and nominated Gorg Vella but Sant (or Lino Spiteri ??) was elected. This time party delegates voted for a GS and found out it is just a part-time job. Well done Joe. Mur afdak PM !!

Kevin Spiteri

Aug 10th 2008, 13:11

I would suggest two things

Either the segretary general is elected with an absolute majority instead of a relative one (this is very difficult to happen as the statute has to be amended) or else the proposed CEO role.

In my opinion the best two for this role would be either George Abela or Marlene Mizzi.

SIMON AMATO

Aug 10th 2008, 12:59

MR PAUL PACE IF UR THINKING ABOUT GEORGE ABELA TO BE THE CEO I WILL BE HAPPY SURE! THEN I WILL BE SATISFIED MUCH MORE THEN I AM NOW FOR SURE BUT LETS SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE BIG DAMAGE NEEDS TO BE FIXED SURE!

M. Schembri

Aug 10th 2008, 12:54

Is it true that Jason Micallef's re-election as general secretary "hastened Dr Muscat's desire to make changes in the upper echelons of the party administration?" If I am not mistaken, there was a petition from within the party to choose the general secretary with a 50%+1 vote. This was turned down. And it was turned down for a reaon which is now clear to everybody. I think that in people's eyes credibility in the labour party has once again diminished. If one reads all that has been written this week by so many people, one clearly comes to this conclusion. The party had a golden opportunity to elect competent people who are undivisive in their approach, an opportunity to make a clean sweep from past mistakes. It is a pity that this opportunity has been lost. Personally, I now feel like a free man for I don't have a political party to morally support anymore. I don't want to be a part of a party who has losing on its side. We've lost again and again but it seems no one realizes! So long MLP.

Paul Pace

Aug 10th 2008, 12:46

Guess who will be appointed CEO? My guess is Dr. George Abela perhaps! Dr. Joseph Muscat said that he needs him. Poor Jason if what I am guessing is correct!

K. Chircop

Aug 10th 2008, 12:38

To all skeptics and supposed floating voters:

Damage control? Absolutely. The damage stemming from the MLP GS has even been pointed out in 2 successive MLP defeat reports. It finally took the wit and the courage of Joseph Muscat to take the bull by the horns and solve the problem. A fundamental part of his job is to realize the faults that have occurred in the past and amend them. In a sense this can rightfully be called damage control - i.e. to realize, contain and fix the damage.

Joseph Muscat could not in any way dictate who is to contest or not in a democratic election within his party. One can only wonder what the accusations would have been then. He must except the delegate's will and ensure that everyone is kept in his place and follows the new policy he is forging for the party. That's leadership.

K. Chircop, B'Kara

L Spiteri

Aug 10th 2008, 12:16

Good move Joseph. It is clear that for the first time there is a labour leader who acknowledeges the will of the people. The Labour party has to be a popular party if it wants to be elected next time round. This is surely a popular move.

Joseph Agius

Aug 10th 2008, 11:55

This is just damage control. Where is the earthquake? He should have stopped the delegates crushing their brains while they were seated. By the way i am just a floater and not obliged to respect the decison of the delegates!

simon zammit

Aug 10th 2008, 11:55

I THINK THAT THE DELEGATES WHO VOTED FOR JASON HAVE TO CARRY ALL THE RESPONSABILITY ESPECIALLY IF OUR PARTY LOST THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION...I WILL BE THEIR BOJJA IN THAT CASE! JOSEPH MUST WORKED TO ELECT ANOTHER GS NOT JASON AND JVB HAS A FAULT TOO AS HE KNOWS THAT ALFRED GRIXTI WAS THE MOST POPULAR AFTER JASON!

J Aquilina

Aug 10th 2008, 11:53

I would like to point out that when the GC elected the new GS, they elected him not having in mind that his role can be downsized. I bet even Jason Micallef doesn't know this thing cause from his ambitions he would have left the GS for other persons so that he would be the new CEO as everybody knows that Jason Micallef is a showoff and trying to show himself in every opportunity he can get.

With this move Joseph Muscatis closing the doors from Jason Micallef to show himself into the public. (Maybe this is what Joseph Muscat has in mind, to get rid of Jason Micallef in public)

M.Bonnici

Aug 10th 2008, 11:48

i think that this is a very good move by Dr. Muscat to try solve Labour's problems.. However i now hope that he chooses the right man for the job and will not be bullied into choosing someone who is not capable of doing the job.. i say someone like Mr. Vella Bonnici should be brought in by the leader to help us all win the next election

David Wain

Aug 10th 2008, 11:24

If this is what JM has in mind, I agree with what many correspondents have said in that it is more damage control than anything else.

JM made a grave mistake with this "everybody is welcome" charade. What is he going to do now, downsize AST's role too? I must concede that his role is a very difficult one, particularly with the delegates he has got within the party. However, the fact remains that he has not managed to get the MLP house in order. Some officials elected are worse to the floater than their predecessors

Joe Gerada, what the delegates should have done was elect people who are more likely to attract floating voters. The persons they chose do not fit the bill and are unpalatable to the floating voter. The only logical conclusion one can draw from that is that they have shirked their responsibilities and let down their party, yet again.

I am being honest when I tell you that floating voters are genuinely disappointed with what has happened. Downsizing Jason Micallef's role is simply not enough.

Marie Abdilla

Aug 10th 2008, 11:20

This is just "sources say" ... nothing official yet from MLP so how come commentators making it a fait accompli, asking questions and passing judgement on who CEO will be what he'll do etc ?

If it is so I for one think that it is an excellent move and all will be revealed in good time. Would show what a strong, intelligent leader Joseph is and that his promise of earthquakes in the Party were not in vain.

@ C Scerri the PN doesn't have a CEO just a Gen. Sec. (chosen by a handful of people but since it's PN that's ok because they are suppossedly superhuman with big brains) imma halliha dik. A good example would be Frank Psaila chosen this week as Director of Information. Labour chooses their PR secretary through a vote from the General Conference but PN just decides to appoint Frank Psaila on the hoof, issues a press release and it's a done deal. Did anyone hear even a whisper or comment asking why he was just appointed and not chosen democratically?bloggers, opinionists, columnists, letter writers?! NO!!! but as always tan-Nazzjonalisti dejjem ifuh u tal-Laburisti dejjem jinten! two weights and two measures!

d.attard

Aug 10th 2008, 10:48

Excellent move that will make for a robust administration able to apply the best communication techniques that will free internal channels to stimulate effective debate, clear policies and focused implementation. Well done Joseph and leadership. A strong move away from mediocrity both of a red, blue and national kind.

Gerard Mangion

Aug 10th 2008, 10:32

Well jason micallef was elected as again the G.S of the mlp, and even by a noticeable increase in his Vote's, since his Last one. Now he is to be Downsized and hisJob might be , as a part timer too ! this sure mean's that J.M has no credit in the delegates, that elected jason.
what J.m is trying to do is as we say in Maltese ( IRAQQQA IL - PANNU BIL QARA HAMRA )
u Mela !
so if this happens, the delegates who voted for jason, will feel downsized too, you bet they will ! ............ heq another Bidu Gdid for an mlp G.S Position. Fantastic What's next ?

c.scerri

Aug 10th 2008, 10:27

Can someone tell me on what criteria will this CEO be chosen? Shall he be a party member? Who shall choose this CEO? If he is chosen by the party leader, isn't this a case of supreme power of the leader? if he is chosen by the conference - what is the differenc between the 'New' CEO and the present day Secretary?

If Joe Muscat was (is) not happy with Jason Micallef, why didn't he state so before his election (lack of courage? Previous promises prior to his election?)

Can someone point to me another political party in the world that has a CEO chosen by the leader? Do we really need to re-invent the wheel?

What is happening with the MLP - we now have the elected leader by the general conference sending a vote fo no-confidence in the same general conference - and these keep on clapping and enjoying themselves. This party is a real joke and the general loser are in fact us,the Maltese people!

Stephen Abela

Aug 10th 2008, 10:25

Very smart move from Muscat ! Another smart one is to change the way the party administration is elected , or better change some delegates !
A vote for Jason last week was very dangerous , it meant we want Jason but not Falzon ,Evarist and Leo !
If it was not for Muscat courageous act , we would have ended worse !
Keep it up Joseph !

JOE GERADA

Aug 10th 2008, 10:19

EDWARD MICALLEF

You don't like this move either? What on earth does someone from MLP have to do to make you PN supporters "like it"?

Joseph is the man my friend " HE'S GONNA GET YOU".

R. Balzan

Aug 10th 2008, 10:17

so now we'll have a CEO who's doing the political talk and a GS who's doing the administrative work? That's one hell of an earthquake!

Liam Borg

Aug 10th 2008, 10:10

While I think that Joseph Muscat should have mustered the courage to tell Jason Micallef not to contest before the election (perhaps even make a silent exit from the party)...at the end of the day I think this is a very wise move which must have taken some courage to implement.

@martin portelli - if the GS role is to be downsized and restricted to purely administrative tasks I imagine that it will only be the CEO who will face the cameras.

Edward Micallef

Aug 10th 2008, 10:08

The move looks more like damage control than the promised earthquake.

M Abela

Aug 10th 2008, 10:05

This goes to show that Joseph Muscat is a brave lad that has great political vision and excellent leadership skills. It is not easy to downsize the role of a secretary general who just obtained 44% of the conference's votes. These are the kind of decisions that the country needs.

martin portelli

Aug 10th 2008, 10:02

.......and pray tell, exactly what will this CEO be doing if not dealing with purely administrative tasks? Something's not quite well articulated. Will this CEO be facing the cameras and issuing the political statements too? Hats off to the MLP strategist still facing the wall in Plato's cave.

john muscat

Aug 10th 2008, 09:55

The appointment of a CEO for the party would be a blessing when one considers that more than fifty per cent of the delegates voted agains Mr. Micallef.

Joseph Grech

Aug 10th 2008, 09:43

Excellent move by Labour leader Joseph Muscat! May the choice of the CEO be a wise one. Much hinges on that decision.