Saturday, 22nd November 2008 - 11:10CET
MLP set to discuss major changes to its statute
The name and emblem of the Labour Party are set to be changed.
The executive of the Labour Party has proposed major changes to the party statute – ranging from amendments to the party name to the dissolution of the Disciplinary Board and the Brigata Laburista.
The proposals include the creation of a National Congress to decide on the appointment of the party leader and the abolition of a number of posts in the party administration, although there is no repeat of unofficial proposals to abolish the post of deputy leader (party affairs).
The main changes, proposed by the party executive are:
Name and emblem
The executive is proposing to change the official name of the party to Partit Laburista (PL) from the current “Partit tal-Haddiema – Malta Labour Party”.
The party emblem would also be changed. The historic torch would be retained but the emblem would be updated to current times, the party said.
Vision
The executive is proposing that the Vision of the party as laid out in the statute would be that this was a political organisation grouping progressive-minded people and based on social democratic principles aimed at improving the quality of life of society.
National Congress
The executive is proposing the creation of a National Congress, formed of members who would have been in the party for at least five consecutive years.
The congress would be responsible for the appointment of the party leader and the approval of the electoral programme.
When more than two candidates would have been nominated for the leadership, the general conference would reduce the number to two and then it would be the members of the congress who would appoint the leader.
The congress would also be summoned before a general election to discuss the political perspectives of the electoral programme.
Youth presence at the general conference
The proposed amendments provide for a doubling of the number of youths among the delegates at the general conference. At least one seat in every committee would be reserved for young people. Places would be similarly reserved for women and veteran members so that, the MLP said, the general conference could better reflect Maltese society. The number of places reserved for local councillors would be doubled to strengthen the representation elected directly by the people.
Two places on the party executive would also be reserved for youths.
It would also be possible for experts in particular fields who could contribute to the party discussion to be co-opted as conference delegates for one year to help in the formulation of party policy.
Party delegates would be given mandatory training so that they could be more up to date on political thought.
The executive was targeting at least 40% of delegates representing each gender.
The number of delegates would be more proportional to the number of party members in each locality, and no local or district official could remain in office for more than 10 consecutive years.
Other organisations forming part of civil society, such as student organisations, could be affiliated to the party and given a voice through delegates at the general conference
The membership
As already proposed by party leader Joseph Muscat, the age threshold for party members would be brought down to 16. New members would have to declare that they agree with social democratic principles.
National Administration
The executive is proposing to remove the posts of Public Relations Executive and Financial Secretary and those roles would be performed by persons appointed for the purpose.
The post of Education Secretary would also be removed and instead the national executive would appoint the chairman of the new Social Democratic Foundation (IDEAT) as a member of the administration. IDEAT will be a merger of the Guze’ Ellul Mercer and Mikiel Anton Vassallo foundations and would be a centre for political study.
A representative of local councils appointed by councillors and an Organisational Secretary would also be appointed to the administration.
Labour Brigade, Disciplinary Board to be dissolved
The Brigata Laburitsta would be wound down since the educational role would be vested totally in IDEAT.
The Vigilance and Discipline Board would also be dissolved. Instead, a code of ethics would be adopted and members would be expected to observe it. Decisions in this area would be taken by the party administration and executive.
Gozo
Gozo would be recognised as a region with a particular structure to meet its needs.
The party said these ideas were the fruit of ideas made by the party structures and over 500 suggestions by the public.
Following Monday’s egm, the proposed amendments would be discussed in workshops and the conference would meet again on Friday and Sunday.
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Comments
Attempt on Dr. Buttigieg life in Parliament by a Gozitan P.N.MP.
Offering a fabulous sum of money to bribe a Gozitan MLP.MP to defeat his government.
Shooting at Foreign socialist delegation.
Arms cache at P.N. H.Q. to use for peaceful purposes!
Innocent Karen Grech murder.
Attack on Dom Mintoff in the street at Pawla.
A professional shooting master attack at Mintoff’s Castille Office.
Bomb attack on Mr. A. Mizzi house.
Bomb beneath the Principal electoral officer car.
Bomb at Sliema police station and other bomb attempts
Police Gas attack on innocent bystanders during a regatta.
Attack by a foreigner on Mr. Mintoff aged father in his home in Valletta.
Assassination attempt on Strickland in the 30s by a a certain Miller
False oath by henchman Terinu in the 30s instigated by the P.N. distributed in churches
Stone throwing by supporters of P.N at the Porte des Bombes meeting organised by the Constitutional Party in the 30s
These are events that happened in my life time. Some of them have not been ever mentioned in news papers.
As for 11 year olds failing because they're obsessed with politics. COuld you kindly share with us the research that you performed so as to come up with this fantastic idea?
We want proof, not fantasies....
i really dont see what children failing their 11+ exam have anything to do with youths in politics. Have you, by any chance followed the Lisbon strategy? Do you realise how low the participation of youths is in our country when compared with others in the EU and even USA etc. I guess it is due to our political system that youths are not very encouraged to take part, so Dr. Muscat is taking the initiative to the start of a new political season, with less bi partisan politics. Have you any idea how healthy politics can be? Im really sorry if you think that involvement in politics will lead to less study. On the contrary, it will broaden the horizon of other students who like me study and participate actively in politics. No wonder that we are at the end of the list where education is concerned... if all we want from our students is to regurgitate what they learn through exams. Having a population of A students is not everything ms. cassar. Where is our creative thinking gone? Being innovative?
@ Josephine Cassar.. PLEASE.. Don`t be so ridiculous and naive ... Today`s Youths, are Tomorrow`s Leaders of This Country...
PN supporters dementia is at such a very progressive stage that they even forget the present dictatorial regime
Ms. Cassar I am a 22 year old student and believe me there is the need for youth involvement in politics more than you think. We youth have more vision for our welfare than half the people purporting to be members of parliament. And you are emphasising on study; life is not just studying and politics surely are not a deterrent for studying. A great example at that is Bill Clinton, who started getting involved in politics at a young age, was always awarded distinction and prestigious scholarships and ended up President of the USA. If you are an achiever politics will not hind you from studying, they will give you more impetus to achieve.
@.. Mr. Patrick Vella.... Patrick I too am proud of the `Moviment tal-Haddiema`, believe you me my friend... But that name automatically describes the political situation when the Malta Labour Party, was statutorily connected with the General Workers Union, and consequently, the G.W.U. also had a chosen executive member attending parliamentary debates. That`s why Mintoff called it `Moviment tal-Haddiema`, because these two workers` Entities, were officially united as one `MOVIMENT`...
As you know, this is not like that anymore, and it has been so for a long time now..
Therefore it is only natural, that the political branch of this workers` `movement`, be now called, PARTIT LABURISTA to continue legislating in favour of the workers, pensioners, etc.. and the other, the General Workers Union to keep on improving and safeguarding the pensioners and workers conditions on their place of work...
That`s it Patrick... I assure you.. Joseph is on the right track....
Dak kollox, Habib...
Once again, facts....MLP was democratically elected, according to the Maltese Constitution, which had been accepted by BOTH parties.
In a democracy, as opposed to dictatorship, the absolute majority of citizens have a right to vote.
Now if you're saying that you don't accept election results in which Labour clearly won, well....that means that you don't believe in democracy.
Actually, could you give us a quick explanation as to what you understand by the word democracy? Hope that, at least,you know what that means!
Just for the record....I have studied both history and political science at the University, but I am still willing to learn....so if you want to enlighten me, or if you have a better definition than that given by my university lecturers...well..please go ahead.....
I give you just this example of a psychological form of dictatorship, to show you the kind of `Racial Division` that has been created by arrogant and vindictive pn governments through all these years, coming out from none other than ex Prime Minister, Dr. Eddy Fenech Adami when in the morning of the 24th of September, 1999, and with wide open arms, he shouted hysterically in Republic Street, ".. Fejn huma l-laburisti...??? Fejn huma l-Laburisti..??? ".
A strong SHAMEFUL CERTIFICATION from a prime minister `of all Maltese`..(!!!!!), HIMSELF Confirming the total division of the Maltese Citizens, created by pn governments in their own beloved country.. !!!
Mr. Mangion, that`s just to show you that TWO `WRONGS` NEVER MAKE A `RIGHT`,....!!!
So let us ALL look into a better future for ALL, as THAT IS our DUTY now....
@G. Mangion: Yes let's go through the history of both parties and we see that both have their sskeletons in the closets. I lived in the 70's and 80's, so i am not impressed by you over inflated lies. Also, I think you need a time machine and travel back to the present date as you got stuck in a thwarted timewarp. Please start substantiating your arguments with valid facts not with your repititive 70's 80's crap.
I pity you, Do you live in Malta ? are you that bad in Political History ?
Remove your hatred which is blinding you and read your history properly.
For starters I propose you to read the jury of Sergeant Grech of the Rabat incidents.
At least we were never associated with Mussolini, Franco or Pinochet!
I will wait and see.
I am proud of the past of the "MOVIMENT TAL-HADDIEMA' especially under Mintoff & KMB.
Dear leader & Co. is there something wrong with "MOVIMENT TAL-HADDIEMA"?????
I pity you, Do you live in Malta ? are you that bad in Political History ?
sorry But 200 words are not enough. to teach you the mlp's history of Dictatorship,
But I guess a big part to your Q's is that you want to stay blind to the truth !!
Sure I know what Dictatorship Means, we suffered to much from it, the new Voters
nowadays can count, read, and Decide as they so well did . In the Last Election.
Very simple!!! try to propose these changes to your party as well. At least our decisions are taken amongst 900 and not a handful like your party does.
Believe it or not these changes also revealed the double face of the Nationalists' party! During the leadership race they were condemning the party for not allowing members to vote in the election for leader.
It appears that the new system will also give space to these members which will have a say like the other delegates.
Now the PN media is back again condemning the Labour Party for choosing a system where members could vote for the utmost posts in the party. They also called it a failure as it is the system used by the English conservatives who have been in Opposition for 14 years!
Quo Vadis PN media????
No wonder they have scored lower in Maltese audiences than Italian channels in some time of the year!!!!!!!
Could you define dictatorship? Do you even know what it means?
@Christine Attard: At least MLp is being pro-active and changing to be up with the times. Regarding changing faces from the 81 cabinet, then you should mention that the PN should change their '81 Cabinet Members too, or you just see blue in life?
@all PN blue and only blue visionaries: Try to grow up and face reality, you are fighting a lost battle. Your venom has no effect anymore. You are eating your nails because now MLP and especially MALTA have a real leader and not a power hungry arrogant dictatorial government with no direction as we have now.
and you tell us (mlp supporters) that we're still living in the past!! I guess you stayed in the past too!But If you want to talk about the past,you should talk about everyting coz many like you seem to forgot what happened in the 60's and it's very very worse than what happened in the 80's...you should be ashamed of your selves of what you did to the socialists in the 60's..and still your party haven't apoligised to the people who you harmed in those times...
A 'misprint', or a 'computer error' like the ones in the MLP electorlal programme??????
Good Luck!!
“What the mlp Can Never Change is the black past of the 70's & 80's Dictatorship era
that will keep on haunting them for EVER ..!!”
What the PN can never change is their black past. The BLACK colour on their flag is not there without a reason. Our colour was RED, is still Red, will remain red and will always live to its significance. In a way your precious PN also live their colour but sadly it’s BLACK.
Moderates look forward to see a progressive opposition party. Keep it up Dr Muscat Malta NEEDS CHANGE.....
You know, I like it when I hear such comments. It means that there is nothing to criticize about the current Labour Party.
Thank you Joseph Muscat for keeping your promise. The country needs a leader like yourself. Keep it up.
"Major changes"? Rather, very cosmetic.
The leadership is going to be even more dominant within the party. Some officials that were previously elected will now be appointed by the leadership. The leadership will be disciplining members rather than an independent board. Guess who will be disciplined...
Joseph Muscat is NOT going to submit himself for an election with the new leadership election system which he so vehemently opposed in order to be able to beat George Abela.
It should have been the other way round: introduce the new system and THEN have the leadership election - but that might have produced a George Abela leadership so the system is being changed for future leaderships, not the present one.
The Brigata, the old foundations, the name, even the emblem will still all be there - with some change in style but not in substance.
Interestingly, where is the CEO being mentioned here? It was supposed to be an earthquake... but not even a murmur here.
Plus ca change...
Change of emblem, to what? Something more eco-friendly instead of a C02 belching torca, say, one of the energy saving lamps promised by Gonzi?
40% of members representing each gender. Token nisa laburisti wearing red.
Membership open to 16 year olds. So in the eyes of the law, a 16 year old is not allowed to buy cigarettes or drink alcohol or even have consensual sex but s/he can be a member of the PL ..................provided s/he declares that s/he agrees with social democratic principles. "Do you get a good buzz on those?"
Brigata Laburista will be wound down, pity.
the : Name and emblem
the : National Congress
the : Youth presence at the general conference
the : National Administration
the : Labour Brigade, Disciplinary Board to be dissolved
ecc,ecc ,ecc,,ecc,
What the mlp Can Never Change is there black past of the 70's & 80's Dictatorship era
that will keep on hauting them for EVER ..!!
Yes, I remember the murders of Karen Grech and Raymond Caruana, and unfortunately, so far, nobody has been brought to book and charged with their murders.
I remember boycotts and civil unrest.
Come to think of it, and thinking about the 80's, do you think that the time is ripe for such boycotts?
You seems to have been elsewhere in the 81-87 time of span. I am grown up and it is a known fact that if you build on rotten ground your castle will fall one day. So it would be better if before building MLP digs well and thrown away what's rotten.
Very interesting changes.. Agreed 100%.. We MUST always look into the future needs and requirements not only for Malta but also for our beloved Party, as change is healthy..
However i also expected to see a mention of a change in the system of electing our executive members in the sense that each elected member should at least get the 50% +1 votes majority.. Maybe it`s a bit early to do it now, i guess, as we have just had an election for our party`s exective a few months ago.. But i honestly hope that such a change will incurr prior to the election of the party`s next executive members, as i strongly beleive that such very important appointments, should be so strongly backed by our delegates..
Keep up your good work Joseph.. We are all behind you..
Just one Phrase to describe the changes :
JOSEPH THE GREAT !!
The MLP did dirty things in the 80's but the PN does not have a clean record neither.
Why not look forwards and hope that in 2013, or hopefully before, we can finally get rid of the vultures we have in parliament right now.
One deputy leader is more than an enough.
So you suggest that members from 81 cabinet should be removed.
i beg to say that your are very shortminded.....is the MLP members who should be removed what about members from the PN side. Do you really think that they were so clean...come on grow up and lok to a brighter future.
Is this the leopard trying to change its spots?