Monday, 15th June 2009
LASHING OUT
The Local Council elections, held at the same time as the MEP poll, have given the same overall result as the latter: the Nationalists got well and truly bashed, battered and be-smashed (couldn't think of another b-word to signify being pulverized) I'm no number cruncher, as I believe I have pointed out on a number of occasions without anyone leaping to my defence to say that I am, in fact, one of the best there are (presumably because I'm not, and that not by a long chalk) but it seems that the same thing happened in the LC contest as did in the MEP, there were less Labour voters moved to stay at home than there were PN ones.
The thing is, though, that while there was a definite "I'm not going to vote and I don't care who knows it" ground-swell, there was a bit of a converse effect because of the MEP election, which meant that though the turn-out was low, it was actually a bit higher. This didn't change the bottom-line for the Nationalists, who got thrashed to within an inch of their political lives, but it did mean that in what looks like a peculiar phenomenon, a number of councils changed colour.
Precisely what this means in national terms is, of course, the grand total of not a heck of a lot at all, but in microcosmic terms, there is a definite indication that when voters take a look at what people have done for them and their immediate surroundings, there's not much to stop them from dumping the incumbents and choosing someone else to have a go at local governance. The fact that from what I can see this took place where Labour was running the Council is indicative of plenty, though there's not much comfort in that on a national scale for the Nationalists.
On the contrary, just as at the local level, voters are prepared to oust the people who haven't done much at all, it would not take a great leap of the imagination to think that the same could happen at the national level. Conversely, the ousted guv'nors, who were presumably ousted because they weren't up to the mark, were Labour, which might suggest that if Labour gets to govern nationally, the same level of performance might be expected.
It's difficult to predict, of course. In the first place, there's four years to go and, as Gordon Brown is finding out, four minutes is a long time in politics, let alone four years. In the second place, we haven't yet been told what Labour intend to do when and if they get elected, other than pleasing everyone all the time about everything possible, so not much can be foreseen in that regard. We can only wait and see.
As always after a bad result, fingers start getting pointed all over the place and the tectonic plates of blame start shifting around. The commenting classes (it used to be class, in the singular, but nowadays, everyone with access to a computer can be a commentator) just love this, of course, and delight in regaling us with stories about how this group of politicians had a barney and how that group of politicians turned on one or two of their own and started to eat their young or whatever it is that politicians do when they don't love each other anymore.
This is happening within the PN ranks, of course, since it was they that got their behinds kicked into touch and beyond. If the Labour Party has any sense, and contrary to popular perception, it has (when it gags certain of its exponents, anyway) it will conduct its own post-mortems quietly and with dignity. There's plenty for them to be worried about, to be sure, because you don't lose control in local councils and you don't lose voters on the national level without having to take a reality check pretty dawn quickly, but compared to what the Nats have to concern them, this is as nothing.
In the meantime, at least according to certain sectors of the press, said Nats are about to have a lynching or something like that.
First in line, apparently, for a hemp collar is Austin Gatt, because he seems to have irritated people all over the place, mainly because he's actually done stuff.
I hold no brief for Dr Gatt, who is more than capable of defending himself if he needs to (and I don't think he does need to) but to the people who seem to be sniping at him from the tall grass, I will say just one thing: do you have the balls to do his job and do you have the guts to make mistakes? It's easy to hide in the system and let that amorphous blob "the Government" take the blame, secure in the knowledge that modern Maltese politics being what it is, you - the backbencher who has ignored his constituents - and you, the Minister who has let his functionaries do what they like (more precisely, fail to do what you would like) can let the PM and the party take the flak.
Sure, I know there are good backbenchers who work their districts like there's no tomorrow and there are good Ministers who do their job and kick ass to make others do theirs. I also know that Austin Gatt could probably do with a few lessons in humility and diplomacy.
But if what certain sectors of the media are reporting is true, all I can say is that it wouldn't be amiss if his many critics, perhaps in the privacy of their own homes, were to ask themselves if their own efficiency, loyalty and motivations would stand up to scrutiny.
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Comments
Frankly IM, it's none of your business!
"Rather than a 'protest vote' it was more 'a vote of trust' in the PL and its new leader ,Joseph."
Mr. Buttigieg Attard if the recent vote was a vote of trust for Joseph Muscat, then why the approximate 75,000 choose not to vote rather to flock to Joseph Muscat. Also, can you explain to me the decreased in PL support compared to the last General Elections.
Joseph Muscat had everything going for him during the EP election in that he was free to criticise everything that moved under the sun without offering any alternatives and thus avoiding any scrutiny.
Don't hold your breath this will be the case comes the next General Election , there will be no free ride for Joseph Muscat and the PL. The results of the Local Councils only also confirms that the electorate have no trust in Joseph Muscat and the Pl.
If you meant "appropriate laws for the protection of the environment" why on earth did you not say so?
For further info on externalities you simply have to look it up in wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externalities
An externality is an effect of a purchase or use decision by one set of parties on others who did not have a choice and whose interests were not taken into account.
Classic example of a negative externality: pollution, generated by some productive enterprise, and affecting others who had no choice and were probably not taken nto account.
A galore of fallacies too! "there were less Labour voters moved to stay at home than there were PN ones" .. UNTRUE and a fallacy! Shouldn't one check this before jumping to wrong conclusions to justify what he/she writes? It is easy to check. But it seems misinforming and hiding the TRUTH from the public is imperative with a most biased mind.
Shameful and pitiful.
I know what expeditious justice is and I am all in favour of it. But what on earth do you mean be "expedient justice" and "laws on externalities"?
People keep mentioning the 'distant past' because they do not regard the past we debate as 'distant'. Anything happening in one's lifetime is not so distant.
People who discuss the 'unforeseen future' are people with a vision. When one has certain goals, he is seeing the future while he strives to make his vision come true. Only aimless people always look to the future as 'unseen'.
The reason for you describing the realities of life today as 'unpleasant' is because you desperately try to remove a chapter from the Labour Party's past, something which, in honesty, cannot be done. What is written is written. One cannot describe life today as 'unpleasant' for two reasons. 1. Much progress has been made in the standard of living, infrastructure, jobs, etc. 2. Since 1987 a Nationalist government has brought so many changes which run counter to Socialist principles and 'advice', that it would be unfair to compare with the 70s and 80s, a time of state controlled economy, when even the importation of basic necessities were at the whim of government. Labour boasts of eradicating poverty, but only because everyone seemed equally poor then, anyway.
Laws on externalities call for true enforcement powers and expedient justice.
Finally, the PN decided to launch a campaign were the focus was foreign policy. Unfortunately, foreign policy, important as it might be rarely manages to become the focal point of any election. It is often perceived as distant and cold. The EU referendum and the subsequent election were rare and unique occasions when foreign policy was the number one priority on people’s minds.
It could be the case that members of the society that have suffered a setback in their income are not finding the support they are expecting from society in general thus are venting their frustration on the government – being the administrator of the general society. Environmentalists are becoming more active in civil society and a few indicators of their presence is the number of protests and media coverage they manage to get on a yearly basis. From the actions taken by environmental groups it seems that they are calling for a vote to control public externalities. Malta requires law and regulation to protect the general public from pollution, massive construction, monopolies and other mal effects that may be produced by the laissez faire market. When an infringement is formed against a member of the society compensation is expected to restore that member to his previous status and financial position. When a general infringement is directed against the general public than the government is expected to protect the society’s rights. When the government infringes on the societies rights, public authorities should have the power to call upon the government to revert its actions or compensate those directly affected.
So far the main reasons cited for the PL’s landslide victory in the recent European and Local Council elections were unemployment, recession, utility prices and the long-term the PN has been in power created a situation of apathy amongst a section of the electorate. Other peripheral reasons were hunting, illegal immigration and differentiation in European Policy. These were the reasons which made the headlines and a deeper analysis is required to identify whether these were the real reasons why the PN lost the elections with such a margin. I would like to contribute to this discussion by voicing my opinion. The government should verify whether it is working to create a “just” society. It is the governments function to ensure that the distribution of income is fair and it maybe the ideal time to revisit several policies namely: taxation, government expenditure, EU grant schemes, and the general social welfare programs. It could be the case that several members of our society have stalled in their quest to move up the social ladder or have fallen a few rungs.
Go for a nice swim,much more entertaining .
Unlike many LP supporters, I never attack the messenger, but rather the message. I have no problem with Joseph Muscat, his friends and supporters of the LP personally.
The problem I have is with the LP, the party, its policies and the behaviour of some personalities in trying to gain political points by twisting facts. I resent them for trying to dump on the NP that which belongs to them in an attempt to make their lack of vision and bad policies look not so bad.
I indeed look forward to some articles by a well known LP MP who I shall not name here because even biased me, can see in him that he truly means well and often mirrors what goes on within government inner circles but at the same time, in the same article, he cannot stand himself appear like he is sympathetic to the government's policy. To me it seems that he is only free to express himself so far, or else!
The NP is by no means perfect but when on the receiving end of unjustified criticism, it has an obligation to defend itself, like it or not.
Continued
You mention family members who were not well treated by this government. Fair enough and I do not wish to pry. This is something between a group of individuals who have received shoddy treatment by, perhaps, a Minister who should know better. Are these people justified in feeling the way they do? I don't know since I do not know the circumstances. But experience taught me, many moons ago, that we Maltese as a close knit people tend to approach our politicians like they were our favourite uncles expected to be there to rescue us in case of the slightest difficulty. Try contacting a Minister or PM anywhere else in the world, and you will find that it is next to impossible without encountering endless bureaucracy. Not in Malta - we invite our politicians for baptisms, weddings and any other occasion and expect them to attend - or else!
Should one bear a personal grudge for 30 years? Probably not, but there has to be a point of reconciliation somewhere, which the LP never made but instead resurrected some relics of the bitter past to fashion their 'new way of doing politics'!
Enemalta in crisis
Airmalta in crisis
Drydocks dismantled
MEPA unreformed
Telecommunications companies threatening job cuts
Malta at the top of european inflation chart
Grave problems in health sector
corruption in the VAT department
Well, I tried. Due to past experiences you are (rightfully) angered at the PL. Anything connected with its red banner will forever get scorn from you - even if years pass and most of the people representing it are replaced. I cannot see why someone like Joseph Muscat (for e.g) would get involved in politics without holding at heart the national interest - whereas let's say Chris Said would. Do you simply imply that their agendas are different just because one belongs to PL and the other to PN? That one is evil and the other is a godsend?
Close members of my family and good friends of mine have been unjustly treated by this this Government & are still suffering- though I hope you will allow me not to disclose any details. So according to you, in 30 years' time, should I continue to bear a grudge at the PN? Should I demonise the PN forever? If in 30 years' time if the PN's direction seems more inviting for me, should I look the other way in the name of hatred?
Some of our MPs , MEPs and Councilors should not be eligible for appointment to sit on the board for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Stuffed Toys. Let' us not discuss their eligibility or suitability for election to our Parliament, the EU equivalent or our local councils.
Expression of the month to be used by every politician at least twice every hour –‘ In nies hemm barra’ This rule can be waved ,when on TV. where it seems to be permissible 4 times every hour.
Rather then a 'protest vote' it was more 'a vote of trust' in the PL and its new leader ,Joseph.
Unlike you, Mr Martinelli, and your likes, I do accept the GonziPN has a constitutional right to govern, though I strongly believe that in the interests of the nation the earlier he quits the better for all. The longer he stays VIA CRUCIS is the get bloodier!
As Joseph said this is just a mild start and there is still a lot to be done. How true. As I always said the TRUTH WILL PREVAIL at the end1
I too would prefer decent discussions but how can one be totally unbiased and objective when reacting to half truths and inadmission of one side's misdeeds, incompetency and open corruption, without getting a bit partisan?
How can one comment when they have not gone through hardships unnecessarily imposed by despots, corrupt ministers and thugs as some of us have?
How can one write a glaring contradiction and once I pointed it out, was deemed to by unworthy of an explanation from him?
How can one laugh at the risk of splitting his side causing a massive hernia when it was his party leaders who were downright incompetent, almost criminal in their suppression of freedom of speech, total abandonment of the infrastructure and preferential treatment to party supporters, unashamedly, openly and unaccountably?
There will be common grounds only when the opposition decides to put the interest of the country first and foremost and not exploit, spin, lie and misinform just to gain a few extra political points.
Yes, the government is not perfect, nobody claimed so, but there is one hell of a difference between governing in difficult times and posing for the camera from a comfy armchair!
I appreciated the second paragraph of your first post..seems you were looking at things quite objectively, which if you allow me saying, is not the kind of message you seem to put through in your comments (not pulling your leg here - that is my opinion). I also agree with your comment in the third paragraph regarding sec general - (not put that mildly perhaps :)) Well my point is your comments and other who reply to u, including myself, end up too partisan in nature and I'd like it if for once (or twice) we could have a decent discussion - without having to throw stings at each other. I'm serious!
I agree with you, Austin got metal and we need more like him ... but ... is it me or the aftermath of the recent showdown with the public transport gang proved to be a bit of an anti climax?
Busses still smoke, bus and taxi drivers are still rude and will get ruder in summer heat ... maybe the public expected more for their undivided support?
There is no doubt however that some action will be taken in order to correct that which went woefully wrong with the MEP campaign. Will the NP abandon the 'star' presenter approach and in future let candidates state their individual cases? Did the party fear that different and opposing ideas among the candidates portray a division within the party? Should the party have prepared a common policy for the candidates to follow before announcing them and weeded out the ones not willing to stay within certain parameters?
But most importantly, will the party act at all? Will it copy the LP which supposedly produced an 'independent' report after the 2008 elections, placing much blame on the Secretary General and within weeks they re-elected the same official with even greater majority than before?
Will the PM finally realize that cutting the size of the Cabinet was not wise and put too much pressure on some ministries? Will the PM realize the importance of Tourism and elevate the secretariat to a full Ministry?
This is an opportune time to start a new fresh page.