Political hit parade

Four people head the political honours list of 2008, for my money, anyway. They are Lawrence Gonzi, Joseph Muscat, John Dalli and George Abela. Dr Gonzi took the prize he coveted so much, the general election. He made it by a razor's edge. Possibly, as his party's secretary general admitted, because they masked the truth about the Mistra land owned by a Nationalist MP. But, he took it. And, in personal terms, he deserved it.

The Nationalist Party was branded through his name. That way just enough people opted for him to run the country for a further five years after his first four.

Those votes were not the real reason for his victory, though. Old Labour managed to do the impossible in losing. But, as in football, a deflected goal counts as much as the finest successful drive. Gonzi grasped the trophy with gusto and, it results, immediately made a promise to himself. He had got in by a whisker, with a majority of one. But he would administer as if he had another thumping votes balance in his favour and a majority of five seats.

Brave, as well as expected, it is nevertheless a dangerous game. If carried to an extreme, it will smack of arrogance. More than a hint of that is already visible among some of his ministers. As well as running the country in hugely difficult times, Gonzi has to manage a team which includes too much friskiness for its own good. He may have to reshuffle before the three years one usually allows. His willingness to do that will be another major test for him. He dithered in his first four years. If he does that again it will be at his peril.

Joseph Muscat runs along his new nemesis at the top of the list. There he is, leader of the Labour Party at 34. I'm sure he did not expect that. Like so many Labourites he too must have believed Labour would win in March. His turn would have come in a decade's time. Meanwhile, he would have continued to accumulate experience and build contacts in the European Parliament during a second term, then break that to contest the 2013 Malta general election.

Fate has a mind of its own. It remains to be seen whether his chance came too early, and with too much baggage to carry. He will need to dispose a chunk of that before too long. That is as important as cutting a good figure as Leader of the Opposition. He has started well in that role, offering a new style in not saying 'No' all the time, but gradually honing his cutting edge.

He has done some good things in the party but will need to show more boldness. The real earthquake there still awaits his trigger. Meanwhile, he will grow in stature as the alternative Prime Minister.

He confidently predicted he would be the real one at 39. It is more than possible. He has grass-root Labour behind him. Many uncommitted, whom he must penetrate to win, indicate they are prepared to give him a chance to convince them.

He will not do that with his charismatic personality alone. An effective political party not riven by internal squabbles and a strong shadow team to harass the government and to build experience in various fields will be essential. He too will need to reshuffle, and will require a tougher stomach than shown after the sad loss of Karl Chircop.

Muscat has time. He will need all of it to make sure Labour do not lose yet again, in which case it could disintegrate. A main helper will be the Nationalists themselves. But that's only one card he will have in hand.

John Dalli made a deserved comeback in the new Cabinet team after the general election. Comeback is, in fact, the wrong term. He should never have been made to go. The reason which made Prime Minister Gonzi shove him over the edge was, as Dalli always maintained, a frame-up. Dirty tricks and other ugly hanky-panky are, unfortunately, part of politics. They hoodwink members of one's own side. They put a leader, in this case a prime minister, in a spot about what to do. Credit to PM Gonzi that when he had official proof clearing Dalli in hand before the general election, he did not hesitate to release it.

That way he ensured he had the party's top heavyweight available for fresh ministerial appointment. That given to Dalli - social policy, including health - is perhaps the most challenging position in the Cabinet. He will have to wield all his administrative skills to see to the problems that exist. One term will not be enough, given the Herculean type and size of the tasks he has to tackle. But if anyone can have a good crack at it, it is Dalli.

Abela did make a comeback, and that is certainly the right term for him. Ten years out in the cold, a persevering Labourite in spite of the kicks aimed at him from the Labour side, he offered himself to lead the party after the general election. New unclean tricks by the party machine and Muscat's freshness kept him out. But he put up a good fight against the odds and his defeat was honourable.

He now serves the party in Meusac, where he had contributed well in the run-up to EU membership. He could have decided to stand for the European Parliament, which would have been a sure thing. But he declined. Abela possesses that rarest political quality of all - to walk away from a glittering prize others would do anything to achieve.

Eddie Fenech Adami does not feature in my political list because he is no longer in politics. But, what a career will reach its end come April. Eleven years as Opposition Leader, 15 as Prime Minister and five as President. I doubt anyone will ever beat that.

A serene and healthy 2009 to The Sunday Times readers.