The World Cup will soon kick off and all eyes will undoubtedly be glued to the box. May the best team win and let's hope that a fair sportive spirit will prevail as we all badly need an agreeable distraction from the intense local political polarisation that has now reached an unpleasant climax.
This month was fraught with political controversy and Labour's unbridled emotions have made a travesty of all that is holy in a democracy. Debating on several important national decisions is in itself a very healthy way of reaching consensus but wouldn't it be great if all our politicians were to argue with their brain instead of their heart?
The editorial of The Sunday Times (May 9) cautioned: "Whoever is advising Joseph Muscat on strategy, if indeed there is anyone at all, has his or her knickers in a twist and is caught up in the wrong era". I concur that: "Gimmickry, insolence and sensationalism are unlikely to impress thinking voters". Storming out of Parliament and accusing the Speaker, whom Labour leader Joseph Muscat had openly "endorsed" a few days before, of being "led by remote control by the Prime Minister" is totally unacceptable in this day and age. "The Labour Party let itself and the people down", the leader continued. In fact, the PL lets the people and our country down every time it adopts an opportunistic approach on vital national issues.
Does the Labour Party realize that Malta's reputation suffers irreparable damage every time it resorts to verbal violence in its enthusiasm to rally the troops? Labour's recent shameful behaviour in Parliament was not an isolated case. We have often witnessed Labour members roar and fling insults and allegations right left and centre. I have often referred to 'Labour leaning' internet sites, blogs and other writings instigating hatred amongst the Maltese. Sadly I have never heard any Labour Party official condemn them although to be fair the Labour leader and the Labour whip did apologise publicly for the latter's cruel and opportunistic comments on television vis-à-vis a Nationalist parliamentary 'colleague'.
At the beginning of this year, the Prime Minister warned: "The Labour Party has 'lost its soul' under the leadership of Joseph Muscat who is trying too hard to be liked by everyone. The Labour Party is going for populism and this could spell disaster. God forbid they ever lead the country that way. Decisions need to be taken that may not be the most popular but are for the benefit of the country in the long run." Which brings me to the Greek question. Instead of working hand in hand with the government to strengthen our economy, to save and generate jobs, to create a healthy environment and attract foreign and local investment, reduce our deficit etc., the PL chooses to oppose the government every step of the way.
Labour members, their leader included, spent months ignoring the international financial crisis and even went as far as accusing the government that it was using the global meltdown as an excuse for not honouring its electoral promise to reduce taxation. Although Labour insists on having income tax slashed, it fails to explain how and where the government is to raise enough revenue to make up for the shortfall this proposal, if met, would inevitably create!
Thankfully, the government is ignoring Labour's irresponsible crusade to maintain subsidies at the drydocks, public transport and on water and electricity consumption... another sterling example of how, with a Labour jockey at the reins, sporting this pro-subsidy obsession, Malta would be galloping fast forward towards a photo finish with Greece.
It is indeed a disgrace that, in the thick of the latest "messy" scenario, instead of discussing the Greek problem and Malta's role in the whole enchilada, the opposition adopted its usual theatrical tactics and childish games by walking out of Parliament, insulting the Speaker of the House, ridiculing Parliamentary procedures and making a mockery of the highest institution in our land.
"Its Deputy Speaker needlessly resigned and it has impressed nobody but itself in the past week by wasting valuable parliamentary time disputing minutes and taking advantage of the fact that a Nationalist MP was away on government business" (The Sunday Times, May 16). Back-tracking on a gentlemen's agreement, refusing to allow parliamentary pairing, throwing tantrums and hurling abuse across the Parliamentary floor is turning the opposition into a veritable circus.
Lino Spiteri, Labour ex-Finance Minister, summed it all up on May 10 when he wrote: "As it is, the opposition gained nothing by the shenanigans that went on". He went a step further on May 17 declaring: "Labour did not simply lose its cool and march out of the House in protest at Mr Speaker's ruling. It also declared that it would not attend meetings of the House committee intended to strengthen democracy until the Deputy Prime Minister apologised to Dr (Justyn) Caruana. I find that ill-conceived of the Labour Party and very worrying at a national level".
And so say all of us!