Barely had the post-election shreds settled that the Malta Labour Party embarked on yet another election; this time for a new leader. An experience which, in my opinion, had its expected electioneering strife but also brought about certain fraternity and gave a raison d'être to all well-meaning Labourites.
So soon after Joseph Muscat was chosen convincingly by the party delegates, I can already feel a sense of confraternity, which is beginning to shine at the Mile-End, even among delegates who in the past took opposing stands. At the CNL one can already feel a certain air of expectation and hope for a truly modernised MLP, a party that will appeal to all sectors of society but, mostly, to the young (13 years plus) and to the floaters.
After the March 8 election I asked myself a simple question: Who would be the most apt person who could possibly address these challenges and at the same time unify all our elements? The answer was obvious and clear in my mind. I chose Dr Muscat precisely for these reasons.
His decision to contest the leadership was not an easy one. And this flies in the face of any nuances that Dr Muscat had already been prepared by the party machine. I can vouch that he took his decision after the election and it wasn't an easy one!
I chose Dr Muscat for these reasons and not because the other candidates were not valid. I have known George Abela since I was elected for the first time in 1996 and he was deputy leader for party affairs. I admired his approachability when I was still an inexperienced politician. I can remember various discussions I had with him in the corridors of Parliament, especially when we started having problems with our governance.
But Dr Abela was not prepared to take the plunge at the time. He decided to part. A decision which I honestly have nothing against. Yet, I think he should have made a comeback at least five years earlier, in 2003. Unfortunately, for some reason known only to him, he did not and by 2004/5 the political landscape had already changed.
I have known Evarist Bartolo since my school days when he used to teach me English and English literature. I have always admired him for his political astuteness, innate intelligence and his readiness to push forward. A truly progressive person. Still extremely valid and a strong party asset.
Michael Falzon is a proud Labour stalwart. He has worked hard for the party and dedicated the greater part of his life to its cause and beliefs. I remember him from our university days. A very smart person. Still a very valid politician, young and with excellent credentials for a good shadowing responsibility. I still see in him a future Labour minister.
I have known Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca since my early teens when she was the party's general secretary. Eventually I got to know her better when she was elected in 1998 and we were appointed joint spokesmen for social policy. She has an overwhelming drive to work. Her showing in this leadership campaign should not dishearten her from moving on. She still has a lot to offer to Labour's social cause.
Dr Muscat has that something more. His age is to his advantage because he has constantly achieved more than expected. I am sure that his learning curve is logarithmic and, soon, our country will witness this. I am not saying this solely in the interests of the Labour cause. I am convinced that this country needs a unified and strong opposition, led by a family man of vision, integrity and courage, to be able to meet tomorrow's challenges. I see in Dr Muscat the ideal counterpart for Lawrence Gonzi's positive attributes, with that something extra to offer. He imbues those around him with an aura of hope and expectation. He is secure and self-confident because he expresses a vision that is a reflection of his innermost convictions and values. Dr Muscat and his wife are both rather young but they have already achieved a lot. All this augurs well for the party and for Malta.
I am sure that time will prove me right. Dr Muscat will put the MLP on a more credible platform. This transformation won't come without any pain for all of us at the CNL. But this is the true way forward. Dr Muscat believes that the modus operandi of Maltese politics must change. I perfectly agree and I'm sure that most readers agree too. This transformation will not occur only at the Mile-End but it will flow across the country and beyond its shores so that Malta will be a leader within the EU and the Mediterranean region. The time for change is now!
Dr Chircop is a Labour member of Parliament.