As Labour Party delegates prepare to elect a new deputy leader for party affairs later this week, Ivan Martin spoke to the three candidates vying for a seat at the top to see what their views are on the party, where it stands today with its supporters and in which direction it is heading.
| What is the party’s main challenge? | Why are some Labour voters disgruntled? How do you plan to win them back? | What about ideology? Has the Labour Party ditched its roots as a workers’ party? | Has the party in government failed to address good governance head on? | |
| Owen Bonnici | Making the party a more relevant political force as a party in government. We are no longer a party in Opposition. | Some feel the party may have become too focused on governing. I am committed to giving my personal touch and to listening to those who have been with us for so many years. | The party has absolutely not ditched its roots. We have achieved a lot by empowering people to achieve. We may need to work harder to ensure the wealth being generated permeates to the lowest strata of society. | We have not failed, I’d say it’s 50/50 as there is still room for improvement. We have accomplished a lot but may have disappointed some on certain issues. |
| Chris Cardona | Ensuring we win a second term in office. We are producing good results but the party structures need to be improved to make these results more visible. | As a party veteran I feel this. Political injustices should be solved by political decisions. That means helping people achieve what they should have 15 or 20 years ago. | The party has ushered in standards of a higher quality of life. I don’t think it should move more to the left, it should stay where it is. | We have addressed this head on. Good governance, was, is and will remain a challenge for us, and one which we continue to address. That said, some issues may be taking away from our many achievements. |
| Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi | Retaining close proximity to the people, our voters, while continuing with the functions of a party in government. | There is no one reason. That said, some have suffered injustices which have not yet been addressed. Finding remedies can take time, but I believe in keeping contact to ensure justice really is done. | We have not ditched our roots, but there are certain sectors which need to be addressed. That is why I put forward a proposal for the minimum wage to be increased gradually. | I believe this party in government has taken decisions and put several measures in place. I look forward to more proposals by this party to ensure good governance. |
Owen Bonnici
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici insisted he had no intention of becoming Prime Minister.
Asked if he was eyeing the top post in the Labour Party and using the deputy leadership as a stepping stone, Dr Bonnici said he was fully focused on his position as a minister. And, if party delegates trusted him with the role, he would be just as committed to serving as deputy leader.
“So my answer is no,” he said.
Dr Bonnici also insisted there was no inherent conflict between him filling the position of deputy leader, responsible in part for party media, and his relationship with a member of the media’s staff.
“No there is absolutely no conflict.”
On the contrary, Dr Bonnici said the relationship meant that he was more familiar with the challenges facing the party media, its reality and how to take it forward – something he was committed to doing.
Chris Cardona
Economy Minister Chris Cardona said he fully agreed with the controversial return of Manuel Mallia to the Cabinet, even though this had resulted in the size of his own portfolio being substantially reduced.
Dr Mallia was appointed Minister for Competitiveness in April, a portfolio formerly falling under Dr Cardona’s remit.
Asked about Dr Malia’s return, Dr Cardona defended the move.
“Manuel Mallia is one of our top performers. He has been at the forefront of the party in recent years and managed to attract countless numbers of new voters.”
Dr Cardona added that Dr Mallia’s “impressive performance” in his professional career as a lawyer was being reflected in his very good performance as minister.
Dr Cardona had announced his candidature for the post immediately after the position became vacant, despite his portfolio being cut at the same time. Asked if he had struck a deal with the Prime Minister to forfeit part of his portfolio for the deputy leadership, Dr Cardona said this was not the case.
Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi
Former Labour Party president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi was coy when asked if he would still run in the next election, despite insisting the party needed a deputy leader who could focus on the party.
Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi has pitched himself as the candidate most able to give his full attention to the party, as he holds no elected office. Despite this, several months ago he had already announced his intention to contest the next election.
Asked whether, if elected deputy leader, he would still run for a seat in Parliament, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said he would “prioritise the party”.
“One would have to evaluate what position to take, but I will prioritise the party’s work,” he said.