Regrets and intentions

The maiden speech delivered in Parliament by Joseph Muscat as Leader of the Opposition didn't cause much furore. The reason probably is that it contained so many platitudes that it made it practically impossible not to agree with the main thrust of the speech. But there is an aspect of one of Dr Muscat's asides that needs clarification.

The Times reported the day after, October 14, that "Dr Muscat said there was no doubt that the MLP made mistakes in the past - although its intentions were honourable".

This attitude towards Labour's past mistakes has the potential of creating more problems for the MLP. It has already been taken up by one of the most moderate Labour MPs, Carmelo Abela, who on October 20 in The Malta Independent wrote: "Of course those who gave their service to the country by working in this party made mistakes as well, even though the intentions were good."

There is still a generation of voters with great but diminishing power that simply cannot stomach such ambivalence. Their lives were ruined by what Berta Sullivan in this paper on September 12 described as a "living 17-year nightmare". Dr Muscat's regret of past mistakes had gone some way to reach out to them but his latest qualification is causing them anxiety.

They need answers and reassurance.

Can Dr Muscat or someone else convincingly explain to the electorate what were the honourable and good intentions behind some of the worst abuses of political power since our Independence? Labour's tampering with the administration of justice comes to mind for a start. The closure of the Constitutional Court, the suspension of the right of individuals to petition the courts, the practical immunity from prosecution to individuals and groups who committed violent acts in front of the forces of law and order and sometimes abetted by members of these forces... the corruption inside the Police was palpable. This same corruption led to torture and other ill-treatment at the police headquarters and the murder of Nardu Debono. It also led to the frame-ups of innocent people for crimes they did not commit. The most glaring example is that of Pietru Pawl Busuttil who was framed for the murder of Raymond Caruana in 1987.

On the social front the requisitions of private and public properties for use as political clubs by the Labour Party stand as a constant reminder of the abuse of power perpetrated by Labour in government. Yet, when recently challenged about this situation Dr Muscat said only that he needed to examine the case, giving the impression that he is the only politician on the island who is not aware of this continuous injustice which has hurt private individuals for decades and deprived the state of the use of such properties in the interest of the whole community.

Dr Muscat in his genuine eagerness to unite his party seems to be forgetting that hurt people have long memories. Their hurt, which time may have eased a little, will not be fobbed off by apologies especially when they carry a caveat that "the intentions were honourable or good".

What they need is action. Dr Muscat should have already made it clear that Labour MPs and other individuals who were in some way connected with the past mistakes will no longer be allowed to stand for election on behalf of the Labour Party or occupy any office in the party. That will prove to the electorate that Dr Muscat is truly sorry for the past mistakes. It is good to remember the saying that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".