Editorial
Labour defenders trip over own feet
Only a few days after The Times strongly criticised the government for a string of shortcomings, going so far as saying that the electorate is not satisfied at the way it is running the country, it turned its attention to the Labour Party and hit out at it over the impression it repeatedly gave in the European Parliament election campaign that it had a solution to the problem of the water and electricity tariffs. It followed the argument by holding it was time to call Labour's bluff over this, naturally expecting Labour to spell out its solution. This stand scandalised l-orizzont, the pro-Labour daily owned by the General Workers' Union, and some columnists who believe it is not the opposition's duty to do so, especially when the general election is still so far away.
The GWU newspaper found it strange that The Times was expecting solutions from Labour instead of pointing its finger at those who had caused the problem in the first place. The Times has criticised the government a number of times for the way it handled the issue over the energy tariffs but this is not the cardinal point of the argument it made. The point was that, contrary to the impression that Labour gave in the Euro-Parliament election campaign, there was no easy solution to the problem and that if there is, Labour ought to have spelled it out.
The Times did point an accusing finger at the Nationalist government in past editorials but what is strange is not that its critics have not noticed this but that, in so enthusiastically coming out in defence of Labour, they were not even aware that their defence runs against the spirit of what the party leader has been preaching in his new style of doing politics in the ambit of the new "progressive" movement he is so eagerly promoting. On the basis of what he has been reported to have said only recently, Joseph Muscat seems to be more aware of the proper role of the opposition party in today's democracy than his own defenders!
Speaking at a meeting with Labour MEPs, Dr Muscat was reported saying that, in the national interest, the party was prepared to work to bring about a leap in the quality of life for Maltese and Gozitan families. They were prepared to extend their hand, beyond the political confines, and work for the good of the country. The aim was not just to win the votes; their project extended beyond this point. They were, in fact, prepared to offer solutions to all the problems the country was facing. If Dr Muscat means what he says, then this is exactly what all the uncommitted voters had been expecting to see happening in the country: an opposition that does not stand on the sidelines all the time but is also prepared to contribute to improvement in the life of the people and the development of the country through ideas and proposals.
Yes, it is the opposition's duty to keep the government on its toes all the time through its criticism but its credibility is primarily built on its ability to propose sound alternative solutions to problems, not on meaningless sound-bites or obstructionist postures. In other words, it has to be seen as an alternative government all the time not, as one columnist seemed to suggest, when elections approach. Dr Muscat seems to be thinking on these lines too, or are we misreading his intentions?
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D Attard
Jul 7th 2009, 23:51
@The Times editorial
I think Joseph Muscat gave valuable solutions and suggestions in his budget speech with regard to water and energy. I also believe MEP John Attard Montalto explained what results can be obtained through the European Parliament re utility tariffs.
What I found unbelievable was the party in Government accusing the opposition NOW at not lowering utility tariffs in 2013.
A. Mizzi
Jul 7th 2009, 18:36
And is the Times a Governement or GonziPN defender?
Why expect solutions from the Labour Party side making the Gonzipn administration look like a party of incompetents lacking solutions to problems brought about by 20 years of P.N. administrations?
Who is at fault at the goings on at Enemalta which has become the biggest BURDEN, the Maltese have to bear?
Enemalta with debts with the local banks running into millions of Euros,
Enemalta with unpublished and audited accounts.
Enemalta with a Power station that is still to be paid for
Enemalta with high officials with apparent conflicts of interests in the issue of tenders funning again into millions of euros
Enemalta with no accountability , no transparency in the running and management
And the Times is expecting the Labour Party to provide the solutions for the gross incompetence of the Gonzipn administration with complete disregard for intelligent planning, competent and sustainable investment and efficient running of this company which I stress has become under P.N. administrations a burden we no longer afford to bear.
Or is it just Gonzipn , the burden we no longer afford to bear?
.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard
Jul 7th 2009, 18:06
@ Mark Galea & Martinelli .... GonziPN Adminstration's arrogance is very well manifested in your comments. No need to comment any further.
I can't ever imagine what both of you would say if GONZIPN has the backing of the majority of the electorate! Can't imagine your cries if the roles were reversed!
Joe Vella
Jul 7th 2009, 17:37
@ D. Zammit
Perhaps you should go and live abroad for a while. I am sure you will find pretty fast not how bad you have it here in Malta, but how Good you really have it here in Malta.i
c. camilleri
Jul 7th 2009, 17:00
Why is 'The Times' reminding us of its criticism of the Govt? Is this to convince labour of its impartiality? It has long been the policy of cowardice practice by many Associations, including the Church to blame or praise both parties to be seen to be impartial. Blaming or praising one side would automatically earn the wrath of the other especially the Labour Party. I still remember my boss at work when he used to warn all the workers for coming late because he was afraid to name the offenders.
carmel zammit
Jul 7th 2009, 16:57
dear mr martinelli if the pl does not know what leadership is this gove doesn t even know whatit stands for where is tis gove leading?the economy ? the health sector ?tourism? educ? the public sector? transport? the enviroment?the vat dept? the energy sector? only in taxes we lead.
D Zammit
Jul 7th 2009, 15:15
@ Mr Martinelli
you're welcome to come to live in Malta anytime if you feel we have such a good life over here!! In the mean time please refrain from trying to teach us what's best for us.
d.attard
Jul 7th 2009, 14:34
A Government governs.
When the critical analysis shifts from what Government does to what opposition says, the democratic process is shortcircuited,
Take a hypothetical situation. The education performance of a Government, in power for over twenty years, ranks bottom. The opposition details plans for an effective education policy, treating the crucial shift from informal to formal teaching through the introduction of a reception-class.
Two years after this report is published and ignored by the media, an election comes along.
In the final two weeks, the reception class proposal is clinically extracted and branded a 'repeater class' that robs a year out of the academic life of our children. No time for proper debate, just an exercise in pure and undiluted emotional striptease.
Plans to reduce electricity bills is classical. Any tomdickorharry will know that rates depend on a miriad of factors including efficiency, technology, investment, international prices etc. Therefore, asking for a solution is practically asking for a thesis on Governance. So what prompts anyone not forming part of the chattering class to ask that question when he can so easily analyse the performance of the actual government that has its hands firmly on all knobs?
J Martinelli
Jul 7th 2009, 13:31
@ Tryone Camilleri
No, the NP does not need advice from the LP.
Just remember that the MLP wanted Integration - the NP got Independence.
The MLP fought tooth and nail against joining the EU - and lost.
The MLP cautioned the government against changing to euro currency - lost again.
With these kind of advices, the NP does not need any from the LP.
BUT no government is perfect and if a genuine Opposition, fulfilling its duties, comes up with better ideas from time to time, it is in the Nation's interest (not the NP's) that it should spell out alternative policies.
It is obvious that the LP have no plans, no visions but a lot of talk. One can remember the days prior to the LP leader's election, Joseph's boasting about already having a 15 year plan for Malta which he had been preparing (on EU time) for some time. What happened to the plan?
As many have observed, Joseph wants to let the government take the initiative, let the public react and then pronounce himself. That's no leadership.
Little does he know that governing is taking decisions which sometimes go counter to the public's wishes.
J Cilia
Jul 7th 2009, 12:58
When the government pushes the opposition into coming forth with suggestions and proposals it is doing so merely to test the substance PL is made of; the easiest thing to do is to criticise. As an alternative government the opposition must move beyond mere criticism. Time and time again the opposition has failed in this regard and its criticism denotes opportunistic and populist views aimed at vote catching rather than proving that it is a party worthy of trust and deserving of our votes. It is now apparent that Labour delegates and supporters are referring to Joseph Muscat as 'White Flag', earned as a result of his wait and see policy, restricting his party's reactions once public opinion is expressed and the sways have been noted and will subsequently dance to whichever music is being played. This is not the mark of true leadership. This is marketing and public relations.
Tyrone Camilleri
Jul 7th 2009, 12:39
The PN wants advice from PL?? Since when did PL become the government’s advisors??
When a government is fresh out of ideas, the PM usually reshuffles the cabinet; of course if this hasn’t worked for the last 20 years you can’t really expect it to work wonders now, do you?
The electorate brought the PN into power because they regarded them as the best decision makers, if the PN now wants advice from the PL it means we are up for a change in government.
Joe Vella
Jul 7th 2009, 12:28
@ Joanna Farrugia
Can you please list some of the proposals that Joseph Muscat and the PL proposed to the Government in response to the initiatives announced to a number of reforms proposals?
joanna farrugia
Jul 7th 2009, 11:36
@ mark galea seems your memory is short and you know why cos pl gave many proposals to gonzipn in which he turned them down and how come now gonzipn decided to have a branch for consumer price watch?when joseph proposed it what gonzi done laughed and you come here stating that pl is opposing everything and if pl is not in the gov still he defeated gonzipn twice within 1 week 35,000
J Cilia
Jul 7th 2009, 11:19
PL in opposition performs well, so well, that it's been at it for 20 years bar a short stint in government at which point they realised that the party is more effective in opposition and went back to it. In life it is very fulfilling to be engaged in what one does best, in the case of PL it is definitely being in opposition.
B Agius
Jul 7th 2009, 11:08
It is a worry that the Government is saying that increases in tariffs is recognition of a better standard of living in recent years while the PL is saying that they want to increase the standard of living by reducing tariffs. None of them ever talk about new ideas and policies about how they propose to increase GDP. It's not an increase in tariffs that is hurting the Maltese - even though almost all of them think so, but the inability of the economy to pay equivalent wages to other places in the EU while they have to pay for market value for things they buy. Petrol is the same: someone has to pay for its real market value - whether it is the govt or the people.
Dr Muscat is playing really good politics. However, at some point before the next election, he has to convince the members of his imaginary new movement that he has the policies to make a difference. Malta sure needs such policies as this Government is too tired. It's unlikely that Gonzi has any new policies: he's working on what rabbit to take out of he bag .
Mark Galea
Jul 7th 2009, 10:51
@Joseph Buttigieg Attard
My friend, Labour in opposition does a good job in OPPOSING everything. That is why PL did not govern this country the last 22 year (except for once and only for some months). PL can only be consulted if they propose reasonable propositions, but cannot expect that they are followed since people have NOT given them any mandate for governing.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard
Jul 7th 2009, 10:23
All local dailies call themselves ‘Independent Papers’. However, it is a fact that no local paper is really ‘independent’ and every paper is ‘politically biased’ towards one political party or another. Each and every one of us is well aware towards which political party a local daily is biased. Nevertheless, it is healthy that now and then a paper criticizes the political party it favours.
I went through numerous past copies of ‘The Times’ to find a similar Editorial when the roles of our major political parties were reversed. I am sorry to say I cannot find one.
Nevertheless, time changes and so we should all, through our writings, suggestions and expectations.
Joseph is right pledging his and the PL’s support to any initiative by GonziPN in the national interests. The prime question is whether the arrogance of the present Administration genuinely accepts this offer. The electoral cry ‘fl-imkien kollox possibli’ was just an electoral ploy to deceive the electorate, as it has been proven day after day during this last year. ‘The Boss’ GonziPN does what he wants and only consults the opposition after a decision has been taken.
Joseph and the PL are genuine. GonziPN is not!