WHAT JOSEPH THINKS

The Leader of the Opposition gave us the benefit of his wisdom today, with an opinion piece in The Times full of resounding phrases and portentous remarks.

I have cherry-picked from it and added his thoughts while writing.  Muscat’s dicta will be in “italics”, my additions follow the word “Thinks”. 

Have fun.  I did.   And don’t blame me that the Leader of the Opposition deemed it appropriate to use gimmicky slogans (“GonziPN”), it’s his choice to trivialise.

“This basic tenet of democracy [listening to the people] seems to be beyond the comprehension of GonziPN, which is proving to be an utter failure in this regard.” Thinks, in other words, we (Labour) will listen to the people, latch onto everything and anything that will get us a vote, and promise it. 

“GonziPN has refused to listen to the people. A people that surely did nothing to merit inordinately sky-high utility bills, a heavy fuel oil power station and, least of all, internal shenanigans that have distracted Lawrence Gonzi from the job at hand.”  Thinks, and again, we will promise to lower utility bills (don’t ask how) use green fuel as contracted by Citizen John and crack down on dissenters, as we’ve always done.  And I hope everyone will ignore the fact that I have just admitted that the country needs Dr Gonzi to concentrate on getting us through the storms.

“We have developed further socially-responsible and economically-beneficial policies. “ Thinks, for which please read that I will tell you what you want to hear but don’t expect any hard facts in the “how we’re going to do it” department.

“We have steered clear of political opportunism but all people of goodwill understand that we cannot allow our country to be steerless and rudderless, at the whim of those who are discontented with the leadership style of GonziPN.” Thinks, OK, I know, I should be telling it to the Marines but hey, it’s true, you know, you can fool some of the people all of the time.  And anyway, it’s not opportunistic to ride Franco Debono’s ego-train, is it?  It is? Oh well, needs must.

“The Prime Minister now has no choice but to call for a vote of confidence in Parliament.” Thinks, well, that’s my line and I’m sticking to it, hopefully Franco Debono, bless his little cotton socks and his obsession with getting the better of me, will make it happen.

“I am making clear what the people of Malta are making clear. They want leadership that is clear and honest with them.”  Thinks, not that I have the slightest idea how much clearer the current situation can be, with a single, self-absorbed loner playing silly buggers while the PM tries to run the country, but hey, that’s Gonzi’s problem, not mine.

“For the last three years, GonziPN has been rocked by internal dissent, all instances having one common feature: the very poor leadership and management style of this Prime Minister.”  Thinks, perhaps if I repeat it often enough, people will start giving a rat’s ass.

“Despite the attempts to demonise, despite the attempts at character assassination,the truth will prevail. It is the leadership style of this Prime Minister that has characterised this legislature and is now threatening our stability, our future, as well as our well being and prosperity.”  Thinks, of course, the fact that this leadership style has got us through the immediate danger of the Libyan Crisis, has kept more people in jobs than we could reasonably expect and generally kept the country on an even keel is irrelevant: I want his job, oh how I want his job, and that’s all there is to it.

“Our country deserves leader-ship that faces challenges head on and provides remedies and solutions.”  Thinks, OK, yes, I know we have it, but I want to do it, it’s my turn, so there.

“All this is happening at a time when Malta is not only facing domestic challenges but also international ones. This is the time when, above all other times, we should be entirely focused on making sure Malta is well equipped to face the challenges, to deal with them and to ensure everything is running smoothly with maximum stability.”  Thinks, if anyone tells me that this is a statement of the bleeding obvious, I would have to agree with them, in my heart of hearts, but I don’t have to say so.

“If GonziPN continues to abdicate its responsibilities, I will ensure that the rules of our democracy are followed and enacted in this country’s best interest.”  Thinks, so there.