The Labour Party in 2009

The New Year poses many challenges for Malta's Labour Party (PL). The party is, at present, changing and adapting its structures to face modern challenges. It has updated its statute, welcomed back to the fold many Labourites who had drifted away from the party and it has embarked on a policy of bringing about progressive changes in a moderate and broadly-appealing way.

The new Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Muscat, has proved to be both capable and charismatic in the short time he has been at the helm of the PL. Indeed, he reminds me of Dom Mintoff in his prime and Alfred Sant in the years before Malta's reactionary elements ganged together to cut short the national leadership of one of Malta's most capable Prime Ministers.

Still, the road to victory at the next general election remains long and hard. The year 2009 is very important because of the European Parliament elections in June. However, even if the PL is successful in this important electoral challenge, this would only be the beginning of the road towards a return to government. Several obstacles would still remain to be surmounted.

One of Dr Muscat's greatest achievements, to date, has been the considerable number of youths he has managed to attract to the PL, both as committed activists or simply supporters of the party. In this he has been greatly aided by the work of gifted youths within the PL itself such as Labour Youth Forum president Daniel Micallef and the hard-working member of the PL administration, Aaron Farrugia. Furthermore, youths are being targeted in all aspects of the PL's work and policies.

The greatest challenge remains how to solve the problem of attracting people who have a long tradition of feelings of antipathy towards the PL. This applies to several social groups and a wide range of extended families in certain parts of Malta. This is a tough nut to crack and it will take time to win the sympathy, let alone the support, of several of these people.

The quality work and dedication of Labour councillors in local councils where the Nationalist Party has a majority is already paving the way towards a satisfactory solution of this major problem for the PL. This work has to be backed-up by the Labour members of Parliament representing such constituencies and by Labour activists in such areas.

Another important point to constantly keep in mind is that the general election is usually decided in the last six months before voting day, sometimes even in the last few weeks. As such, what happens in 2009 is important but its effects will wither away by the time the general election arrives in the near future. It is, therefore, imperative to avoid feelings of over-confidence within the Labour ranks. That the Nationalist government is incompetent is proved by the facts. However, this does not mean that a person who voted PN at the last election will automatically choose Labour at the next one.

Which is why I totally agree with the changes being carried out in the PL. While retaining its ideology, Labour has been forced by circumstances to literally re-invent itself. Remember that many potential voters have long memories and their memories of the last instances of Labour in power are not that positive. The 1981-87 Labour government's tenure of power was a period when Labour was markedly in decline after having been at the helm since 1971. Then, the 1996-98 Labour government's life was cut short by the internal differences within the PL due to the tension created by Dr Sant's vision and that of former Labour leader Mr Mintoff, which was different.

Labour's last instances in power were turbulent times. So it is crucial that people are convinced that the next time around will be one of steady progress in a climate of political stability. For this to happen, change and more change is needed within the PL, including the image it projects to potential voters. The New Year has to continue this process of change that began last year.

One final point. I am offended by people who try to blame Dr Sant for Labour's three consecutive election defeats. All Maltese, not only Labourites, should be grateful for what Dr Sant achieved for Malta under immensely difficult circumstances, the likes of which have never been faced by any Labour leader.

Likewise, one cannot compare Dr Sant with Dr Muscat. Both have their respective strengths and both were called to lead the PL when different qualities of leadership were needed according to the period in question. Dr Sant, through his work and sacrifices, made it possible for Dr Muscat to create a better PL. Both men merit absolute respect.