Michael Seychell
PL background; PN candidate
I have been invited by Lawrence Gonzi to contest the Pietà local councils election on behalf of the Nationalist Party and, after deep pondering, I gladly accepted.
The main reason for this is the fact that, since Eddie Fenech Adami became leader of the PN, this became an open-minded and socially-conscious political party where the interests of the emarginated are always given the utmost importance. This policy has been followed by Dr Gonzi as evidenced by the thousands of families who receive additional social assistance and benefit from lower energy tariffs. Furthermore, exponents of the PN are free to air their views, even when these differ from those of the party, without any fines being imposed on them.
I come from a family where my father was an ardent Labour supporter and who was quite active in the Labour movement. A 1924 portrait of the first Labour Party (PL) executive committee of Senglea hangs prominently in our sitting room: My father is seen with, among others, John Marks and Ċensu Bugeja, the latter later becoming the party's representative in France.
I have held various positions both within the PL and the General Workers' Union, including: GWU - shop steward and delegate; secretary, Youth Movement; assistant secretary, Metal Section; council member; secretary, Construction and Woodworks; secretary, Metal Workers and board member of the Union Press. I have also represented the GWU on numerous meetings and conferences overseas and attended courses at the Malta University and the Institute for Labour Studies in Geneva, among others.
I served as secretary of the Labour League of Youths; executive committee member of the Birkirkara section; Labour's Gozo representative and co-opted member of the national executive during the 1971 election campaign.
I also sat as member on the GWU/PL joint commission that worked on Labour's election programmes for the 1971 and 1976 elections.
It is therefore important that I give an account of what made me part from the PL/GWU.
After the 1976 general election, the PL lost control of its supporters when celebrating victory by burning down most of the PN clubs and breaking whatever came in their way. Despite Dom Mintoff's condemnation and promise that this will not happen again, there resulted a corrupt and violent regime under which the worst atrocities were committed against whoever was in the way.
Things went from bad to worse when Mr Mintoff decided to amalgamate the PL and the GWU and this led to strong objections from the late and lamented Joe Attard Kingswell, myself and others. Most of the GWU's high officials were either in favour or too afraid to oppose Mr Mintoff's suggestion. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici insisted that, in the interest of the PL/GWU, Mr Attard Kingswell should be sent on leave on full pay. A number of council members continued to rally support against this fusion and this led the PL to intimidate us by using brutal force.
On July 21, 1977, after obtaining a vote of confidence from the executive committee, a group of thugs were sent to my office but the security officer helped me escape and I went to the police station for protection.
Later, Dr Mifsud Bonnici came to take me home and he explained that he had taken my family to find refuge at the home of my brother-in-law as the thugs were heading for my home. Dr Mifsud Bonnici insisted we should remain in hiding until it would be safe to return home. This must have been the only case of a Maltese family seeking refuge in its own country for political reasons.
The GWU had insisted that I must resign from employment without considering that I had no other job with which to maintain my wife and three children.
It was not easy to cross over to the PN, in fact, although voting for the PN, I had stated in the media, including the PN radio, that before I part this world I hoped to vote Labour again.
I believe that, rather than looking ahead, the PL is moving fast to the past. Violent tactics, albeit of a psychological nature even against its own members, are still being adopted. Suffice to mention the experiences of Michael Falzon before the general election, when contesting the leadership election and recently when he was removed as the party's representative on the Electoral Commission without being informed beforehand.
One can also mention Joseph Muscat's quote of the saying that those who live by the sword die by the sword, losing his smile and style while exclaiming it.
There are other signs indicating that the PL is progressing backwards, such as the return of Alex Sceberras Trigona, renowned for the HMS Brazen case and the secret agreement with North Korea; Toni Abela's statement that Malta should emulate Mr Mintoff's example in Helsinki and use the veto at the European Union and Desmond Zammit Marmarà's hope to return to Mr Mintoff's days when he ended a recent article thus: "We need another Dom Mintoff with the Europeans and our southern neighbours. Joseph Muscat? Yes, I think so".
For the above reasons I will be contesting the local council election at Pietà as a PN candidate, hoping the PN will regain the majority.
23 Comments
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C. Sapiano
Apr 8th 2009, 11:53
Mike Seychell was very moderate in his views. He could have been even harsher. If you read the article of Joe Sammut in L-Orizzont you will realise what type of people the Labour party has. He said that we should be happy that Eddie Fenech Adami left politics. He forgot to mention the violence that his family suffered, just like many other nationalists.
Robert Attard
Apr 8th 2009, 09:14
"After the 1976 general election, the PL lost control of its supporters when celebrating victory by burning down most of the PN clubs and breaking whatever came in their way."
Don't forget to mention the PN bombs please.
Joseph Scicluna
Apr 8th 2009, 08:33
@V.Micallef
I take your word for the cabinet meeting you mentioned as I have no recollection of this meeting.
Joseph Ellul
Apr 8th 2009, 06:00
@ M Seychell... Is this the one who represented the MDD workers in the 60s? I remember vaguely what happened and how you were humiliated by the GWU/MLP bosses. Do not feel betrayed: we will all get that feeling some day. That is what politicians do. They take your blood and drink it. Take my advice and enjoy your family and leave politics to those who can keep a straight face. Mike, you were never born to lead. You do not have one crooked bone in your body, so for your own good I hope that you will not win this little competition for the district. I too was persecuted and almost beaten up. I too have a story to tell as thousands of others. I pray that peace be with you and with those who tried to harm me, as they are no more.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Apr 7th 2009, 21:10
@ Muscat Peter
"Moreover, I think that Joseph as a young person thinks out of the box, the box that caged a whole generation of Maltese brothers and sisters."
Ye, the same Joseph Muscat that said he has no disregard to the Courts. We all know what his mentor did. Suspended the Constitutional Courts. There is a saying that goes along these lines; "like Father, like Son."
Beware Malta.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Apr 7th 2009, 21:05
@ CJB
I am sure that Mr. Seychell doesn"t need your crocodile tears. You are only some 40 odd years too late.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Apr 7th 2009, 21:00
@ J. Borg
I am sorry to say but you seems to be on cloud 9. Certainly Mr. Seychell did not write what he think. He wrote of real events. When he spoke of the present he cited the cases as to why at the moment cannot return to the PL.
I am not sure to take you seriously or not. You came up withe the following: "when one goes against the constitution he is wrong ang that wrong sgould have benn fought in parlament."
That is what EFA did, and unfortunately he had his home destroyed and his wife beaten up.
Why don't you get serious for once.
Charles J Buttigieg
Apr 7th 2009, 20:08
@ Michael Seychell
I had commented on your article on DZM Blog. Feel free to counter. I understand your feelings because I drank the bitterness of political moral violence only from a different chalice however unlike you I preferred to bury the hatchet.
You are being used and I feel sorry for you. Your enemy is still within.
Muscat.Pat
Apr 7th 2009, 19:50
There is nothing extraordinary about Mike Seychell in the sense that alliegances change from A to B or B to A. The thugs that he mentioned did labour a lot of damage and many of them, turned PN after PN was elected! However I do understand that he was hurt and many LP supporters sympathised with him. But this is not a matter of blood and family, its a rational decision. My mother comes from a PN background whilst my father was a Strickland supporter. Every person moves on according to his priorities. I support the PL not because of the family, not because of the blood , but because I think that its philosophy is honest and the correct one for the ordinary Maltese. Moreover, I think that Joseph as a young person thinks out of the box, the box that caged a whole generation of Maltese brothers and sisters. Although, I am not going to vote for Mr Seychell, I wish him the best of luck.
V.Micallef
Apr 7th 2009, 19:34
@ Joseph Scicluna
"Before the 1981 elections, Mintoff said that he will not govern without the majority of the electorate (not seats). as a true socialist he went back on his word!" God's truth about all this is that Mintoff wanted to announce an early election. ONLY his ministers did not back him. Among them Mr Lino Spiteri. Ask this man and see what he tells you about that early cabinet meeting.
J.Borg
Apr 7th 2009, 19:17
@m. seychell
history is to be written wholly, not one writes what he thinks is approriate for him cause of some election.
when one goes against the constitution he is wrong ang that wrong sgould have benn fought in parlament. am sure that all the trouble which happened at that time, wouldn't have taken place.....
pn bloggers always depict there party as haven't caused any trouble......
michael seychell
Apr 7th 2009, 18:26
J. Borg you have been answered by others, for which I thank them.
W.Vella Zarb you hit the nail on the head, my article was aimed for those young in age who do not remember those days - thos over 40 years remember my case well.
APGrech I always sign my articles- history is what it is, I wrote only the facts on the past and added my opinon on the present.
GaleaL It is evident you never read the letter published in the Times by the late Joe Attard Kingswell regarding the suffering of the workers under the labour regime. One of the contestants for the MLP Leadership knows that at the time - less than one year ago - I told him that if he was elected as MLP Leader I would return to the Party. That contestant was not chosen by the delegates.
Michael Seychell
J. Mifsud
Apr 7th 2009, 18:04
This article is full of excuses for the past, and it has a big smell of an axe to grind, and personally I do not take it seriously. His writings have become repetitive and annoying, and it is unfortunate to keep living in the past.
Mr Seychell has a right to contest with the PN, but his account of events are according to himself, and I will be more than happy to read other views about these events from persons who personally worked with Mr Seychell and who can recount their experiences of/with Mr Seychell.
I do not believe that one has to recur to these accounts of the past to win a couple of votes.
Joseph Scicluna
Apr 7th 2009, 18:02
@j borg. no, that is not all. you and your socialists comrades should hang down in shame for your past. to mintoff the constitution was just a piece of paper.
john fenech
Apr 7th 2009, 17:39
The past is where one looks to plan what to do today if he is to carry on tomorrow. Mr Seychell past affiliations are known but his personal experience is another thing. Do I need to ask or wonder what would be the reaction of anyone who is set upon by his own party? Especially since the events that followed were not those that can be attributed to the heat of the moment!
One can forgive but can one forget although Mr. Seychell is willing to vote LP again! I venture to ask is all this hassle worth the candle?
As regard political fervour our President is facing a daunting task because if ever mixed red and blue will turn to purple which is associated with high blood pressure!!
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Apr 7th 2009, 12:59
@ apgrech
But it is not. Mr.Seychell was there and is writing about a real life experiences that he personally went through. That even you or anyone else cannot deny.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Apr 7th 2009, 12:54
@ J. Borg
Have we read the same article. You are claiming that "the whole thing started in 1981 because the PN didn't accept the 1981 results."
It is clearly to me that Mr. Seychell speaks of events that predate 1981.
Also, you accuse Mr. Seychell of looking backwards. Once again. Mr. Seychell speaks as to why he cannot support the PL under Joseph Muscat and gives reasons for.
I suggest that you take a deep breath and read the article once over again.
In respect to what Mr. Seychell have to offer, just be patient and I am sure in the coming days Mr. Seychell will be more than glad to share his views with the Pieta residents.
J.Borg
Apr 7th 2009, 12:30
@ j.scicluna.....
i am positively sure that if th PN didn't do as they did and boycott parlament....i am sure we would have had an early election....but the PN are stubborn and then they play the victims.....
the constitution should have been respected that's all.......
wally vella-zarb
Apr 7th 2009, 12:08
Who can take Mike Seychell seriously except, maybe, the very young?
GaleaL
Apr 7th 2009, 11:26
Why did you not mention the PN's past as well Mike?
There is not a soul on the Islands who does not know that you have an axe to grind with the workers movement.
Had it not been for the workers movement, MLP/GWU the workers would never have achieved anything, especially when the PN was constantly undermining all efforts by the Labour Governemnt and the GWU to bring industries and foreign direct investment to MAlta.
Remember the Malta file for example Mike?
Remember the PM MPs and officers going to foreign countries trying to persuade foreign investors to close their factories in Malta?
That is the party for which you are going to present yourself as its candidate Mike.
apgrech
Apr 7th 2009, 11:07
Reading the article without looking at the name, one may think that it was written by a very young, immature person.
Joseph Scicluna
Apr 7th 2009, 10:55
j.borg. before the 1981 elections, mintoff said that he will not govern without the majority of the electorate (not seats). as a true socialist he went back on his word!
J.Borg
Apr 7th 2009, 09:26
I think you showed by your writing that you too are looking backwards....you only mentioned the past...and only that of the PL....as if there was nothing wrong with the PN's attitude at that time.
For me the whole thing started because the Pn didn't accept the 1981 eresult, which i too didn't like, but they went against the constitution which cleary stated that the party with most seats one. This has een changed, but the PN's behavious wasn't democtratic...they should have accepted the result and fought for change in parlament.....so for me the PN had a say in history as well.....no one can say that they didn't....
Also how come you didn't tell us what are you ready to offer to make our future better...than just criticising the past....
you should grow up my friend and look towards the a brighte future