Michael Seychell
Full throttle to the past
The election of a leader has never been a smooth affair for the Labour Party. In 1947 Dom Mintoff ousted Paul Boffa, creating a split within the party.
Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici was hand-picked by Mr Mintoff to take his place, thus avoiding an election for leader to the dismay of a number of would-be contenders. The choice of Alfred Sant in 1992 was preceded by the infamous letter bearing the initials MC. It later transpired, according to Paul Cauchi, that some 100 "extra" votes were cast in Dr Sant's box. This time serious doubts have been cast on the fairness of the election of Joseph Muscat; George Abela, Evarist Bartolo and Michael Falzon have all stated categorically that the party machine worked in favour of Dr Muscat, using strong words to make their point. This means that the present leader may not enjoy the full support of all those surrounding him, including at least two MPs.
The choice of Dr Muscat as leader was the first indication that the delegates preferred - or were pushed to vote for - the most vociferous and staunch eurosceptic, second only to Dr Sant. Others had a more experienced background and had a positive attitude towards Malta joining the EU.
One may argue that Dr Muscat is now a converted eurosceptic, so much so that he was elected an MEP. It is very difficult to fathom how a person so vociferous and staunch in his belief against joining a union of nations can change his mind overnight and become a front liner for that same union. I am one of those who strongly believe the Maltese saying that "if the pig loses its tail, it will remain a pig".
So far Dr Muscat has demonstrated that he is following his predecessor's example and taking haphazard decisions. His most recent is his insistence that the government offers employment to the shipyard workers with the public company IPSL. It is evident that he forgot that his party was totally against the setting up of this company in 2003 as it would drain money from taxpayers. And now the new leader is claiming that IPSL is a success story!
Dr Muscat's forte up to now has been his sweet talk: "I love you - you love me, but love her also because she loves you"! He has promised that his leadership will cause an earthquake in the Labour Party, but so far there are no signs of it. Ironically, it is the delegates who have succeeded in causing a tremor which has already affected Dr Muscat's performance as leader and will continue to do so.
It has now been revealed that Dr Muscat intends to create a new post of CEO for the party, possibly rendering the general secretary a part-timer. While I would have preferred the delegates to have elected someone else as general secretary rather than Mr Micallef, unless Dr Muscat's intention was on the table before the election for the post, and was known to all contenders, I have my doubts whether it can be legally accepted. In any case it would be unfair and undemocratic to implement it now.
Also, since this move will require a change to the party's statute, it will have to be approved by the party conference. This would probably turn out to be another victory for Mr Micallef, because apart from the 370 votes he obtained, he could easily garner another 100 odd votes in his favour, either in sympathy for him or from those who do not agree in principle to such a change.
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michael seychell
Aug 16th 2008, 17:50
I missed most of the comments on my article, but I feel obliged to reply briefly on those still appearing. M.C. - I have lived in Malta for 68years + and read Dalli 's comments on his bid for PN leadership.Compared to electing a Socialist leader in Malta the difference is quite deep - ask G.Abela, M.Falzon, E.Bartolo, and Lino Spiteri or read his memoirs.
Pete Muscat - I lived the past, am living the present and look forward to the future to continue to contribute my opinion. No I d'ont wish doom & gloom, I wish the Socialist Party to be the workers party once more, and not a partit tal-klikek ! W.V.Z ./ J.M. I look at the mirror and always see myself. Your maths are wrong it is 3 not 4 decades. Em. Cachia suggest read my comments on Drydocks in another paper some weeks back. S.G.V. One mistake is not too bad, in fact it is very near to accuracy! After all what's in a name - or surname. I salute Mr Paul Muscat for the courage he had shown.
Michael Seychell
Pieta.
Sergio Galea Vincenti
Aug 12th 2008, 16:04
The credibility or quality of a opinion-piece such as this relies heavily on the accuracy of the premises which are presented to the reader.
In this case, Mr. Seychell - in his haste to continue in his tirade against anything labourite - makes some errors:
a. Who is Paul Cauchi that Mr. Seychell mentions in the second paragraph? Does he mean Paul Muscat who is now back in the fold of the MLP?
b. Mr. Seychell takes it as being an established truth that "some 100 "extra" votes were cast in Dr Sant's box". Whilst I was certainly disgusted by the infamous MC letter, I cannot take the allegation made by Mr. Muscat as being an established truth!
c. I have posted here before on my preferences for leadership of the MLP as not including Dr. Muscat but to label him, today, as "the most vociferous and staunch eurosceptic" is absurd coming from someone who 'converted' from being whatever he may have been when he was in the GWU!
I agree that the move to create the post of CEO requires a change in the MLP statute.which fairness dictated should have been done before the last election for Secretary General.
Charles Camilleri
Aug 12th 2008, 15:56
Mike it seems you hit the nail on the head. The truth hearts.
J. Mifsud
Aug 12th 2008, 14:24
I fully agree with Wally Vella-Zarb and his reasoning. I think that Mr Michael Seychell fits in well in 'the pig' proverb. I pity people who carry a chip on their shoulder for years on end and keep repeating the same 'stories' ad nauseam. Come on man, cheer up!!!!
Emmanuel Cachia
Aug 12th 2008, 13:09
Has Mr Seychell received a copy of the personal letter sent by the Prime Minister, days before the last election, intended to put the minds of the drydocks' workers at rest? How come he did not utter a single word about the huge losses incurred by the yard on the ship conversion project?
wally vella-zarb
Aug 12th 2008, 12:22
"I am one of those who strongly believe the Maltese saying that "if the pig loses its tail, it will remain a pig".
If this is the same Mike Seychell who used to be in the Metalworkers Section of the GWU, I suggest that he considers repeating this saying in front of a mirror.
Who knows? Perhaps he will conclude that the cap fits perfectly.
How pathetic to continue carrying a chip on one's shoulder for more than four decades!
Muscat Peter
Aug 12th 2008, 10:59
Michael Seychell is the past and this article of his proves this. It reflects a renegade's pathetic views of present events he does not understand.
Seychell's wishes of doom and gloom are certainly wishes that will never come true.I suggest to Mr M. Seychell to have a rest and give himself a break. His writings are simply pathetic and full of pure spite.
Mr. M. Seychel still lives in the past and the naming of his article is most appropriate to his ego and his selfishness.
Marisa Cachia
Aug 12th 2008, 10:16
How pathetic! Has this person been im Malta for the election of the PN leader? Has he read or listened to what John Dalli had to say? People with glass houses......