No way to consult us, says Labour
The opposition has turned down the Prime Minister's offer to attend for a formal presentation on Mepa reform because, it said, it should not have to make an official request as he had asked.
Labour MP Roderick Galdes said it was the government's duty to consult the opposition and questioned why the latter had to make formal requests in order to be consulted.
"If this is Lawrence Gonzi's definition of consultation, then it is clear that he had not learnt his lesson from the June 6 (European Parliament) election," he said.
Dr Galdes said the Opposition would continue to be willing to contribute to the reform as it had done with other reforms.
The Prime Minister's Office said in reaction it had taken note of the fact that the opposition was once again refusing to take part in discussions on a reform that was so important to the country.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Gonzi reproached the opposition for not having presented its views on the proposed Mepa reform. He said that if Labour wrote to him officially he would authorise an official presentation as that made recently to Cabinet.
He said the Mepa reform had proved to be one of the most difficult and sensitive reforms undertaken by the government so far during this legislature.
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P. Schembri
Jul 4th 2009, 10:10
@May D. Vella. What invitation? Didn't you read the article? The PL must apply for the invitation first, then be invited. New way of consultation perhaps?
Galea. L
Jul 4th 2009, 10:00
May D Vella
If PL is arrogant PN are the GODS of arrogance
J Martinelli
If you think that Gonzi Roi Soleil is going to last the next four years don't bet on it.
As for your comments it you want your comments not to continue to be taken with more than a pinch of salt you should leave your far-away Canada and come to live here. Maybe if you feel what the Maltese citizens are feeling you will stop defending the indefensible.
As for discussion, simple ethics dictate that if Gonzi wanted to consult the Opposition he should have FIRST invited it as it is not the Opposition's duty to ask to be consulted.
As for Dr Muscat being PM after the next election, pity is that you will have to continue dusting yourselves all over again since you and Gonzi may not have yet finished dusting yourselves from the last landslide PL victory.
A Agius
Jul 4th 2009, 09:52
@ May D Vella: Your post just shows how you did not read the article. So now one has to be invited to talk? Just where is the democracy you blue noses boast of? Ms Vella, talk sense before posting, and try to read the article first!
Karl Abela
Jul 4th 2009, 09:41
Isnt it PL's policy not to be consulted about government matters?
When PL was asked for a constructive opinion about a solution for the high energy tariffs PL conveniently said that it was not their job because they were not in government. They washed their hands because PL was CLUELESS about this issue!!
Are they now suddenly full of clues?
Danika Vella
Jul 4th 2009, 07:19
I think the PL is showing its arrogant face once again... They are too proud and think too much of themselves. What do they expect then. that the gov kneels before them and begs them to go? Just accept the PM's invite... and be done with all the theatrics please!
Joe Grima
Jul 3rd 2009, 20:45
@J Martineli. I can look at Joseph Muscat dispassionately. I can criticise him when I do not agree with him and I support his ideas when I think these can push the country forward. Joseph is a listener who is capable of accepting criticism. To- date I can say that I approve of most of his policies especially his idea of pushing for a meeting of hearts and minds of moderates and progressives across the board. That could mean the beginning of the end to political division in our country. I do not approve of some people Joseph has chosen to front the Party in a number of sensitive areas. In making certain choices, especially recent ones, I believe Joseph is rowing against himself, but then, I am not leading the Party, he is. It is Joseph who has to decide who can attract moderates and progressives to join his new coalition. It will then be the moderate and the progressive watchers of LP who will decide whether these people draw them to Joseph or simply put them off. I suggest you take a similar dispassionate look at Dr Gonzi and then speak your independent mind if you have one.
Anthony Magri
Jul 3rd 2009, 19:52
A misleading heading including remarks. Dr. Gonzi requested the L.P. to ask(sic) for representation. It is for the Prime Minister to ask the L.P. to be present and not the L.P. kneeling down in front of Gonzi pleading with him with joined hands"Please let us be represented". We are no fools. At least not every listener or reader is.
R Grech
Jul 3rd 2009, 19:07
@ J Martinelli: 'The Nationalist government has done and continues to do so much that if and when it is Labour's turn to govern, there will not be much more to do - just twiddle its thumbs. The LP is an expert at that when governing.' You ARE living in a dream then! It is the exact opposite. It is a rebuilding process that the PL has to do, just like in the 70's, giving the social aids we have today to give an example, housing and all benefits we have today thanks to PL. But as usual, Mr Martinelli seems to be living in another dimension.
laurence schembri
Jul 3rd 2009, 18:34
Just for once Martinelli apologise. @ P. Zammit, a load of empty words, one wonders whether Joseph Muscat had to apply for an invitation to attend to the departing President`s Dinner.
A Galea
Jul 3rd 2009, 18:19
@ P Zammit: You are so obsessed that you are not even able to read the article well. But as usual, blue noses try to make PL look negative for their own gain.
A Zammit
Jul 3rd 2009, 18:17
@ J Martinelli: Your comments show how much detached from reality you really are. Gonzi is pretending to make formal presentation on reforms just shows that he intends to call on the opposition whenever he likes, and this is to show that in reality he intends to continue destroying without caring for everyone. Your comments just show how your head is in the sand and fail to see reality Mr Martinelli. But why am I surprised, you already showed in other posts what you are, pretending that my comments evaporate. Not after hearing your nonsense Mr Martinelli!
P. Schembri
Jul 3rd 2009, 16:41
@J.Martinelli. As always you jump the gun. Read carefully. The Government asked the Opposition to apply for attending the formal presentation.
J Martinelli
Jul 3rd 2009, 16:16
With all the valuable input by the PL regarding Rent and Pension reforms, the great advice of not joining the EU, not adopting the euro currency, the 'pairing' refusal and so many other miscues, U-turns and asinine proposals, why would Dr. Gonzi send a gilt edged invitation for a reluctant opposition to help with MEPA reform?
So, let me get this straight. The opposition send a request to participate in this exercise and now they refuse to take part?
Joe Grima, Joseph Muscat is just a pretender to the throne currently occupied by Roi Gonzi and nothing is going to change that, at least for another four years. It is the likes of you and the LP who have to change. Dr. Gonzi was, is and continues to be the same man you knew some time ago.
The Nationalist government has done and continues to do so much that if and when it is Labour's turn to govern, there will not be much more to do - just twiddle its thumbs. The LP is an expert at that when governing.
mario gellel
Jul 3rd 2009, 14:20
Well done PL, don't let Gonzi get you involved in his mess. His Par idejn sodi have melted and now wants to get you involved so he can have the excuse to say that even the PL took part in this scandalous entity.
P. Schembrip
Jul 3rd 2009, 12:57
This is a good one. In order to attend for the formal presentation, the opposition must first apply for attending. Is this some sordid joke or what? If someone wants to discuss, he has give an invitation, not waiting for the guest to apply for the invitation. Is this the NEW DJALOGU the PN is offering? If it is than we're really in a sorrier state than we thought.
P.Zammit
Jul 3rd 2009, 12:21
This is all a charade by the opposition. Had it been the case, they are still free to put forward their proposals (formally) and if genuine and make sense, and the government still ignores them, then the voters will judge the government on those (de) merits.
As it stands, the opposition is stamping its feet and not contributing (has it ever, since Joe Muscat bullishly came out saying "LE GHAL PAIRING!") to a situation that needs the input of all concerned, including the opposition.
What is the real reason ? Lack of ideas ? or a simple poker move, so that after they could cry fowl at the MEPA reforms and then simply say that the MLP was not part of them ?
Shallow reasoning will yield certain reactions,but for the more acute thinker, there is more than meets the eye here.
The message I am getting from Galdes is a simple I dont care attitude because I have to make a formal official request. SO WHAT - WAKE UP AND DO IT, ITS FOR THE COUNTRY AFTER ALL - LET THEN, THE PEOPLE JUDGE YOU (AND THE PN).
P.Cassar
Jul 3rd 2009, 11:52
Does a PRESENTATION amount to CONSULTATION because, in my books, a presentation refers to an exposition of something practically decided. Real consultation, on the other hand, refers to a PROCESS which means involvement even in the awareness and planning stage.
But perhaps our PM, as he often does, confuses consultation with mere information and that involves our lumping of THAT already deceided. Just as we are experiencing with the Renzo Piano pantomime.
A Galea
Jul 3rd 2009, 11:23
@ N Farrugia: Typical blue nosed analysis. Instead of seeing why this was refused, you try to ad nauseam go to the 'le' issue. Imagine someone comes to you and tells you 'give me your house and I will give you a peanut', would you tell him 'iva'? See why and then talk
Joe Grima
Jul 3rd 2009, 10:55
Can anyone tell me where the Lawrence Gonzi I once knew as the gentle, moderate, understanding politician, who still ranks high in my list of likeables, has evaporated to and where his attitude of Le Roi c'est Moi comes from? As time passes he is sounding more like Austin Gatt than the old Gonzi. In all sincerity, I read the PM's attitudes as a sign of insecurity and a fear of the Opposition that is much more present in his mind than he would care to admit. Is this is the same PM who said that there is no one who can threaten him? That's not the image that his body language conveys.
N.Farrugia
Jul 3rd 2009, 10:29
This is a typical silly excuse by the PL. Is this the ' new way' of doing politics. If I'm not mistaken this a carbon-copy of what used to be done by Alfred Sant
Galea. L
Jul 3rd 2009, 10:21
Consultation without taking any heed of what was said but obstinately carrying on as planned means that it is simply a sham consultation. Who will want to attend consultations when everything s/he says or contributes is simply ignored?