Making way for the leader

Labour MP Joseph Cuschieri resigned his parliamentary post yesterday to make way for the co-option to Parliament of MLP leader Joseph Muscat, taking the occasion to call for parliamentary reform in the interests of parliamentary democracy.

In a highly-emotional final address during the adjournment of the House, 40-year-old Mr Cuschieri described his resignation as something of special significance and importance to him personally. "I shall be resigning with satisfaction, loyalty and a sense of service and love for my country."

He said he wanted to make it clear that his resignation would be only "a pause" as he was going to remain on the political scene, working with more love and enthusiasm in the interests of the party, the country and the people. This pause in his political career was necessary so that Dr Muscat could be co-opted to the House and become Opposition Leader.

The decision to resign had been tough but one he was taking serenely and with a clear conscience. Declaring that he fully believed in the abilities, qualities and political vision of Dr Muscat, Mr Cuschieri said he was convinced his leader would be of service and benefit to the party, the country and the people.

He was convinced that like him, Dr Muscat would put at the fore of his political agenda the interests of workers, pensioners, families and all those needing political and social support.

Mr Cuschieri said it was an honour and a privilege for him to serve his party and country in this way.

"The sense of service and loyalty towards our country and the parties we represent is not calculated by how much we work to gain personal power or political strength. It is not even calculated through personal ambitions or glorification. I firmly believe that service to the country and the party should also include a sense of sacrifice."

Mr Cuschieri said that during the 10 years in Parliament he had done his utmost to be of benefit and service to the country and the people, working for the fair distribution of the country's wealth. His parliamentary experience had helped him to grow and build his character and made him proud to be Maltese.

He said the time had come for the government and the opposition to better accept the criticism levelled at them, evaluate it and address it. One side, he said, should not try to hinder the other.

He would like to see a more democratic Parliament and hoped that members would be given the necessary tools with which to work, including more professional assistance, something that was currently lacking.

Mr Cuschieri said that his wish for the country was to see stronger families. He called on the state to provide adequate preparation to couples thinking about starting a family.

He called for quality education and health to be made available equally to all the people and for human respect to be shown to everyone, irrespective of nationality, race, sex or religion. He also called for the country's cultural heritage to be safeguarded.

Mr Cuschieri said he wanted to see the democratic systems of the country operating well, well-balanced state broadcasting and political parties partly funded by the state so that they would become more independent in their thoughts and proposals.

This, he said, was what he had worked for in the past and what he would continue to work for in the coming years.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the event was of high importance not only to Mr Cuschieri but also to Parliament as the highest institution of the land.

Parliament had before it a young man who had done his utmost to be of service to the country, something which drove all politicians but which the people did not necessarily understand because of the way the two sides sometimes addressed each other.

Dr Gonzi saluted Mr Cuschieri for what he was doing. The reciprocal criticism of the past certainly did not mean anything personal.

In what he termed as probably his last intervention in the position, Opposition Leader Charles Mangion said he had known Mr Cuschieri ever since he had set foot in the House. He deserved all praise for his work and his altruism, as well as his sense of sacrifice for party and country.

The fact that he was offering his resignation so that Parliament would become a stronger institution had not only a historic value but also a political one. His decision had certainly not been an easy one. But Joseph Cuschieri had never shown any animosity, not even towards his political opponents.

After Mr Cuschieri had presented his letter of resignation to the Speaker, Dr Galea said he was sure Mr Cuschieri still had a lot of potential to offer the country. The Speaker expressed appreciation of his 10 years of public service, and said he was accepting his letter of resignation.

All four speeches were greeted with spontaneous applause from both sides of the House.