Ariadne Massa
Labour's CEO will be picked by leader, not delegates
Labour leader Joseph Muscat plans to personally handpick a CEO for the party and will not leave the appointment in the hands of the delegates, who last week re-elected Jason Micallef as general secretary.
"It's an idea that has been on my mind for quite some time. I think we badly need a CEO to manage the structure of the party," he told The Times yesterday.
Asked if this meant the CEO would be taking over the general secretary's post, Dr Muscat said: "It would mean that the elected posts within the party, including that of general secretary, would have to be redefined. This is part of a process that will lead us to be a real, effective organisation."
The Sunday Times broke the news on Sunday saying that appointing a CEO was likely to mean the general secretary's role would be downsized and restricted to purely administrative tasks - the post could even become part-time.
It also reported that Mr Micallef's re-election hastened Dr Muscat's plans to effect changes in the upper echelons of the party's administration sooner rather than later.
In yesterday's The Times, Dr Muscat wrote in his weekly comments - this time titled Earthquake Warning - that last week's elections hastened, but when pressed to say what he meant by this, he preferred not to comment.
"At this point in time I rest my case on what I said in the article. In the next few weeks, after the summer recess, we'll start going into the details of the changes," he said.
Yesterday, Mr Micallef would comment when asked whether the leader's decision to downsize his role and appoint a CEO had come as a surprise.
Asked about this "seismic" shift in the party's administration, all he would say was: "He's the leader and I have nothing to add to what he said."
Meanwhile, Dr Muscat said he will be calling on the National Executive to call an extraordinary general conference to implement a series of wide-ranging changes. The changes will involve the party's structure, the way it is organised, and electoral issues.
Would this promised "earthquake" help bring the party closer to the people?
"I'm looking at a situation where the views within the party and those outside are more in synch," he said.
Dr Muscat recognised that he had a tough job to unite the party and move forward but he felt a lot had been achieved in the past few weeks and there was a willingness by many people to get their act together.
Would people accept the proposed changes and could he persuade the party that this was the way forward?
"Well, they'd better move forward. This is what I stand for. I know that what I will be proposing will not be to everyone's liking but these are wide-ranging changes that include how the people who take decisions are chosen, and the way we must move to represent the wider spectrum of society," he stressed.
The resistance to Mr Micallef was linked to his role in the March general election defeat, Labour's third in a row, which exposed rifts between him and various party officials.
Environment spokesman Leo Brincat, who had urged delegates not to vote for the incumbent in a letter to The Sunday Times, yesterday welcomed Dr Muscat's proposed changes: "In my opinion it's a very bold and courageous article (in Dr Muscat's column), which shows vision and determination."
Meanwhile, Dr Falzon and Mr Bartolo preferred not to comment, noting they felt they had said enough and it was now up to the new leadership to decide.
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Jeremy J Camilleri
Aug 14th 2008, 10:00
John Saliba..Please do us all a favour, and look up the definition of political appointee.....
As for competence...I believe that the people should have the final say ...
Thats why its called a democracy....
Mr.mintoff was elected a number of times by the electorate....You might not respect the electorate's wishes...but hey...thats your problem...
Ethelbert Schembri
Aug 14th 2008, 09:16
Mr John Saliba , I really love reading blogs like yours , they are very funny and there are a lot like your comic around .
Please keep up the good work , we need a good laugh on this island with the attitude of this government .
Thanks
John Saliba
Aug 13th 2008, 13:18
I'm sorry, Mr. J. J. Camilleri, but I did not have the time to respond earlier as I was trying to find better qualified MLP supporters than the ones I mentioned. Unfortunately I could not find any, as Dom Mintoff, Alfred Sant, Alex Sciberras Trigona and Jason Micallef are the cream of the crop... and what a flop they've been. Please do not tell me that you believe Joseph is any better. He is immature, inexperienced and more than likely incompetent as well.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Aug 12th 2008, 22:07
My earlier comment was directed at John Saliba...but surprisingly enough...he seems to have turned a blind eye...Cheers! L:O )
alfred agius
Aug 12th 2008, 20:33
So many nats bloggers with such great interest in the MLP ! They better be more interested in what`s happening within the PN and give their comments and advice there, where their heart is.
Whatever they say, whatever they wish for, labour will go on its way to re-invent itself and become the popular and natural choice of the people. In their heart of hearts, they know that Joseph will will fulfill his vision and his vision to make the Mlp credible and appealing to all maltese that mean their country well.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Aug 12th 2008, 20:03
Peace of mind? Ha! Thats a joke......
The only peace of mind evident is Before an election...
As of present we're told, by the people RESPONSIBLE for running the country, that major changes need to be made due to wrong decisions taken in tha past few years!
We've even had a minister stating that the level of mismanagement in certain sectors is a major concern.
Ps...Just for the record...You don't seem to know what a political appointee is...seeing you've only mentioned democratically elected politicians, and a Party general secretary as examples.....No idea hux?
M. Buhagiar
Aug 12th 2008, 18:18
@ Jimmy Magro .
I would like to invite you to move forward and give a helping hand to the party in whatever field you deem fit .
This time I have no doubt that you will be received with open arms from our LEADER - JOSEPH.
I think you will agree with me that the time has come to gather together behind OUR LEADER
Christopher Formosa
Aug 12th 2008, 17:45
Why now? Why not two weeks ago? Does this mean that he has no faith in the delegates choice? As far as i can understand the changes proposed involve all the people elected 2 weeks ago, why now? Why were they good enough to elect him and not the rest? That means that jason and friends did all their canvassing and meetings for nothing because now they are on their way out. I cannot see the new seceratry general staying in a part time post. And changing all the delegates is a garangatun task that personally i cannot see the labour party doing. And thats the way it should be really, but it to be done before the election of the leader,with this logic he would never been elected leader.
jimmy magro
Aug 12th 2008, 17:40
Organisations must be ahead of times. Unless they change, they will die. One would prefer to have a program of planned change than earthquakes. I guess the urgency of the matter is that during the last five years the party did not have an inside thinker who could update the structures, not only the statute.
Between 1992 and 2003, I had set a new organisational structure for the electoral office, set up a new electoral database system, polling and focus group unit, media unit, membership unit, fund raising unit and so on. The MLP had its first website in 1995, local and district committees where given an email account, labournet was set up, and introduced campaign training. For those that wanted to move on the fast track, these changes proved beneficial. But there were others that lacked behind.
It suffice to state that when I did the first national political poll, not even the leader had any knowledge about it. But I knew I was on the right side of things and took the hard decisions in the best interest of the organisation.
I might have lacked the American smile but I always delivered to the best of my knowledge.
Chris Borg
Aug 12th 2008, 15:21
Dr Muscat had mentioned this post of CEO before he was even elected as Party leader....all those "shuddering" should just look at the state in which our country is....at least Joseph is doing things in a professional way, unlike the man at Castille.....
Charles Camilleri
Aug 12th 2008, 15:21
And they criticise the way that the Nats elects their secretary.!!!!!!!! wow They found a better way.
John Saliba
Aug 12th 2008, 14:23
Dear Mr. Jeremy Camilleri, imagine if the government was to appoint people like Jason Micallef, Alex Sciberras Trigona or Alfred Sant for that matter as government officials. What a disaster that would be. We will end up with CET instead of VAT; with cancelling EU membership; doing away with SmartCity and for that matter we might even end up applying for integration with Britain if Dom Mintoff was to be appointed. Thanks, but no thanks. Call them what you like, Mr. Camilleri, but these so called political appointments that you are refering to give this nation the peace of mind it deserves.
M. Buhagiar
Aug 12th 2008, 13:56
JOSEPH with his actions is showing what a real LEADER is when it comes to Party affairs . He is showing that he`s got the GUTS to do and change things
On the other side what do we have?? We have Mr. Par Idejn Sodi . What has he been doing for eg in the JPO case??
Oh I must have forgot !!
He inaugurated the chu chu train !!
U HALLUNA !!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Aug 12th 2008, 13:22
Well, Mario Gauchi , at least this is a politcal appointment within a political party..and still you get the wise men complaining....
Wonder what people like you think about political appointments within the Government ...funded by the taxpayer, isn't that more reason for you to complain I wonder?
Its really funny to see most of you folks, who have been critiscing the democratic process within the Labour party, now barking rabidly, because a party leader is exercising his right to lead.....
P Cutajar
Aug 12th 2008, 13:00
Doesn't this remind you of Muscat's predecessor - "Traqqa minn hawn u tbazwar minn hemm..." or something like that! The new CEO should rename the headquarters to Fawlty Towers.
John Saliba
Aug 12th 2008, 12:59
The appointment of a CEO can only mean one of two things. Either inexperienced and immature Joseph needs somebody to prop him up or he wants to behave according to the Malta Labour Party's founding father's philosophy... "I dream, I decide and I dictate".
Reno Spiteri
Aug 12th 2008, 12:42
The decision to appoint a CEO by Dr.J. Muscat is definetely a vote of no confidence in the General Secretary if the terms and conditions of the general secretary were those of a CEO in the first place.
The leader of a party must, as is normal practice be selected and voted in by the delegates and party members, definetely, but the choice of the deputy leader or leaders as well as the salaried position of the Secretary General must be the exclusive responsibility of the Leader, as he is the person who shall be making the party's policy and ensure its adoption.
Voting in of these positions by 900 gelegates, some of whom are pique oriented and who cannot see further than their noses should be abolished. Without a properrly functioning party machine at the top, no political party has an iota's chance of being elected to govern the country.
Lawrence Gonzi will not have an easy time, but if he plays his cards right, gets the reforms in hand sorted out to the benefit of all concerned and increase efficiency in his ministries, he's on a winner in 4.5 years' time.
J Azzopardi
Aug 12th 2008, 12:07
Is there any chance of having Dr. George Abela as the CEO. This would be like having the cake and eating it with both Joseph Muscat and George leading the MLP to a sure win come next national elector test???? Such a move from Dr. Muscat would be the first clear sign that what the majority of labour supporters want can become reality. Let us hope that this is the first positive bit of news from the Milend....
Nigel Lawrence
Aug 12th 2008, 12:07
This seems to remind me of an infamous pre-electoral jingle:- "too little - too late"
Henry Mifsud
Aug 12th 2008, 11:29
Dr. Muscat is truly showing his mettle! Mastering change is the order of the day in today's (business) world and anyone who can manage it will truly succeed. Good luck!
Liam Borg
Aug 12th 2008, 11:17
@ Mario Gauci:
Joseph Muscat has made known that he would radically reform the party since before he got elected as leader.
"Will he be appointing people in top positions at his whim"...."Shudder to think of the consequences!" - than if you are not shuddering at the way this Nationalist government is appointing public officials you must be a hypocrite.
DVella
Aug 12th 2008, 11:14
The farce continues . . . ! ! !
P Fenech
Aug 12th 2008, 10:44
This is so much like a family business where an incompetent family member is appointed to a very senior position 'by default' and the baord then decides to bring in a competent manager from the outside to sidestep the appointee and get on with the operation.
It might work - depending on the reaction of the 'incompetent family member'. In situations where that person feels relieved, pursues his hobbies, pretends to do a day's work but essentially makes appearances just to draw a handsome salary it can work. In situations where the 'incompetent family member' does not realise his limitations and wants to have a say then it will be one long nightmare with the inevitable consequence of the CEO resigning because the family member will be impossible to dislodge.
Enjoy yourselves as we witness the earthquake within that will inveitably result in lava flowing all over the place with not much to show but a mountain of dull matter.
Mario (Marinton) Gauci
Aug 12th 2008, 10:08
What surprises me about this proposal is why has Dr. Muscat waited for so long to make it known. Surely it sounds as if it has only come about due to Jason Micallef's re-election.
Is this the way the prosposed 'earthquake' will be taking place? What about if Labour are elected to lead this country? Will he be appointing people in top positions at his whim, and in most cases to replace incompetent people, who I would presume will still retain their position as JMicallef did. Shudder to think of the consequences!