Editorial
First 100 days as Labour Party leader
A weekly newspaper survey showing that Labour leader Joseph Muscat has overtaken Nationalist Party leader Lawrence Gonzi in trust rating must have removed the summer haze that clouded Maltese politics over the past hot weeks.
The good news for Dr Muscat came just days before marking, today, his first 100 days as party leader.
Considering all the doubt that had been expressed by many over his election as leader, the impact he has made on local politics is impressive already. Indeed, in Dr Muscat, many are seeing a leader that can lift Labour from the absolute morass it had fallen into over the years.
More than that, they see Dr Muscat as the man who, like a knight in shining armour, can well and truly propel his party into office after so many years in the political wilderness.
The new leader has endeared himself with the rank and file of the party for the immediate effort he made to heal wounds and, more importantly, to bring back into the party's fold those who for one reason or another felt they could no longer support the MLP.
With the kind of ideas he has been expounding since his election, he has also shown that he is not afraid of making the party move ahead with the times in double quick time. The party needs this badly.
Ultimately, however, trust is built on delivery and Dr Muscat and his party have yet to prove they deserve the confidence of the majority of the people when the time comes for the electorate to cast their vote again.
However much Dr Muscat must have impressed people with his new approach to politics, it is far too early to make predictions. He has not even taken up his duties as Leader of the Opposition yet.
The truth is, however, that although there have already been instances when he laid himself open to justified criticism, generally speaking he has been moving on the right track. This is all to the good, both for his party and the country, which can now perhaps look forward to seeing a real change in the way we do politics. Or is it too early to expect this, too?
What does this mean to Dr Gonzi and to his party? It means they now have a new, stronger challenge to reckon with, quite different to that presented by Alfred Sant. Resorting to the kind of crude, parochial pettiness they have shown so far by, for instance, referring to Dr Muscat as Joe rather than Joseph only shows they have not realised yet the kind of challenge he is presenting to them. In Dr Gonzi, the PN have a leader who for long now exuded the kind of confidence that inspired trust in his party in government.
Never mind what has now become his most hackneyed phrase, that an improvement does not come about by coincidence, even his political enemies concede that the man radiates confidence.
One problem is that people expect a party to start implementing the promises made before an election immediately after it is elected. Like Labour, the Nationalists might have been over-enthusiastic in the way they made promises but, at least, they have a strong sense of direction. Labour, too, appear to have found a sense of direction now, removing one of the greatest obstacles to being elected to power. Interesting times lie ahead.
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laurie vella
Sep 14th 2008, 15:45
Dear Daphne,
I don't blame you if you are worried because this Joseph,he is better than what you have in the PN, perhaps you would care to nominate and try to become an MP yourself. I doubt very much, people like you are not up to it, and rather like to hide behind the keyboard of your computer.
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Sep 13th 2008, 18:54
Michael Cutajar - I tend to start off as a voice in the wilderness, but then find I am leading a very loud chorus. Wasn't I a voice in the wilderness in 1996, when Alfred Sant was being lionised by business, tal-pepe and the media? I have doubted myself on many occasions, but never my assessment of his personality and where it would lead both the Labour Party and the country. There are other examples, but they are beside the point here. I have remarkably few gifts, but one of them is insight, or perhaps foresight. It wasn't I who 'demonised' Alfred Sant. The man did a fine job of it himself. But thank you for accrediting me with such powers of influence over the masses.
Doris Farrugia
Sep 13th 2008, 18:42
This Editorial very much reflects the sentiment of the general public. Whatever colour the flag in your pocket is, some things are quite obvious. Its just admitting them that can be sometimes difficult. Petty stances like calling the Labour leader Joe instead of Joseph, only makes a mockery of the perpetrator. Anyhow, congratulations to Joseph Muscat for his work so far, and let hope that's more to come.
Enzo Caruana
Sep 13th 2008, 18:10
@Ms Caruana Galizia
There is a slight difference here. This editorial speaks about Dr Muscat's first 100 days. What was written in I996 were comments made in the wake of the Labour victory at the elections of that year. I agree with you that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The recipe and ingredients that Dr Muscat is using promise a very hearty affair.
Another point if I may. I note that you did not contradict one single staement made in this editorial. Now this is indeed another score for Dr Joseph Muscat.
Michael Cutajar
Sep 13th 2008, 17:52
Oh daphne. You succeeded in demonising Alfred Sant. But with Joseph muscat as Leader of the Labour Party, you are just a voice crying in the wilderness. cheer up.
laurie vella
Sep 13th 2008, 15:23
Dear editor
We hold you to your word of unbiased editorials come next election and beyond.
Elton Zarb
Sep 13th 2008, 14:51
That's exactly the public opinion in Malta right now. Joseph is the Man. He is young, energetic , clever , honest and above all determined. His determination is not only to restore Labour in office but to make Malta the best amongst all the EU members.
That's the real EARTHQUAKE . Malta deserves a party with a Good Leader like Joseph Muscat who has a REAL vision for the future, and avove all has the guts and the determination to impliment that vision. That's why Joseph is trusted by the Maltese.
Charles J Buttigieg
Sep 13th 2008, 14:22
Labour in Government faced its biggest dilemma when Mintoff stepped down and left behind a power vacuum. KMB is a good soul but was not to the Castille born. Sant would have made a good leader but he lacked the voters appeal. Labour’s leadership crises had a devastating effect on our country as it had left the majority without a choice other than the PN. Malta is fortunate in that the vast majority of its voters have a heart that beats on the left, however, sadly lacked the most essential ingredient, a people’s Leader. It is said that it has to get worse before it can start getting better. Ironically when we were singing ‘The only way is up’ little did we realise that we were really down. It is also said that good Mother Nature provides and it is now amply clear that Joseph Muscat was a God sent to Labour and to our country which deserves to be driven to the right direction. Forward.
Nikita Zammit Alamango
Sep 13th 2008, 14:10
Yes Enzo !! It is hard for the media to keep on attacking the MLP when we have elected a leader who is such media savy like Joseph. There comes a time when tables are turned, when stereotypic attitudes have too change and when expectations are exceeded. We have already witnessed this in the first 100 days of our new leader. Who would have expected certain stands and proposals that Joseph has actually placed for discussion? Finally, Malta is experiencing a true progressive movement. Regardless bipartisan beliefs, people tend to identify to what Joseph says. Like the divorce issue and that of lowering the voting age to 16. However , there is still room for improvement so that all the social democrats and moderate leftists, including the university intellectuals, together with all the progressive thinkers, find their home within the folds of the Labour Party.
Maria Pace
Sep 13th 2008, 14:02
Yes, Joseph Muscat's impact "on local politics is impressive" indeed!
Thanks to 'The Times' editor for such genuine words.
Michael Cutajar
Sep 13th 2008, 13:57
With Lawrence Gonzi`s poll numbers suffering, Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat is starting to act like prime-minister material. Even though elections may be four years off, many political observers are predicting that Muscat will be setting the agenda in Parliament in the coming weeks.
I perfectly agree with this editorial. Joseph Muscat, with the kind of ideas he has been expounding since his election, he has also shown that he is not afraid of making the party move ahead with the times in double quick time. I dare to say that Muscat has put Gonzi in a situation which day after day is being perceived as an analogue politician in a digital age.
The Nationalist Party is being turned into a right wing conservative movement and objecting to all progressive ideas being put forward by Muscat`s Labour Party. GonziPN is being thus perceived as the roadblock to reform that this country realy needs.
I join Mr. Enzo Caruana in congratulating the Times of Malta for such an objective attitude. Indeed, interesting times lie ahead.
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Sep 13th 2008, 13:21
You must have a short memory, Mr Caruana. Similar things - if not identical -were said about Alfred Sant in 1996. And then the proof of the pudding turned out to be in the eating.
Enzo Caruana
Sep 13th 2008, 11:36
Dr Joseph Muscat made history to-day. For as long as I can remember I never read a Times editorial openly praising a leader of the Labour Party like this.
Congratulations Dr Muscat and keep up the good work.
Well done editor and may you keep up this objective attitude.
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