Helena Dalli, Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna stuck to their core messages in a debate this morning that targeted Labour Party delegates in the run-up to the deputy leader election. The election will take plce on Thursday and Friday, with a run-off on Saturday, if necessary.  

The three contenders for the post of deputy leader parliamentary affairs – a role that will immediately make them deputy prime minister – played the chummy card with each other in a three-way debate on One TV this morning.

While Dr Dalli and Prof. Scicluna categorically denied having any future leadership ambitions, Mr Fearne carefully avoided definitely ruling out the option.

Standing behind podiums in a presidential-style set up, they answered questions put to them by journalists from TVM, MaltaToday and Union Print.

Dr Dalli described the 90-minute affair as “a luxury of a debate” but even as the candidates focused on the reasons why delegates should vote for them they also delivered nuanced jibes towards each other.

The common denominator between them was an unwavering expression of loyalty towards Joseph Muscat and his brand of politics, which according to Mr Fearne has transformed the party into a winning force.

They also made multiple references to their roots in the party – an important card to play with delegates – with Prof. Scicluna traversing his behind-the-scenes role as economic and financial advisor to all Labour Party leaders since Dom Mintoff.

What they said in a nutshell 

Helena Dalli

The European Affairs and Equality Minister made it a point to emphasise her long-standing links with the party by insisting she was always there through thick and thin.

“In life you pass through various stages: from a youth to getting married and having children… what was common at all stages of my life was my involvement in the Labour Party,” she said.

In life you pass through various stages: from a youth to getting married and having children… what was common at all stages of my life was my involvement in the Labour Party.- Dalli

Asked whether she had any leadership ambitions when Joseph Muscat calls it a day, Dr Dalli categorically ruled out the option. “I am not interested in any other role than that of deputy leader.”

She said that if elected to the role, she would serve as a strong link between delegates and the government’s parliamentary work.

“The ownership of the electoral manifesto belongs to the delegates and we sometimes forget this, which is why delegates have to be informed regularly on its implementation because they are the backbone of the party,” she said.

Dr Dalli said despite the PL’s history of pushing forward women’s rights, it still lacked women within the party structures who were in decision-making roles.

Describing quotas a necessary evil, she said in the countries where gender-parity has been achieved, quotas were used to quicken the process of change. “Without quotas it will take us 100 years to reach parity.”

Dr Dalli made it a point to mention that the Prime Minister took her with him when he faced the European Parliament “to clear Malta’s name”.

“He also sent me to discuss Brexit with Michel Barnier [the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator],” she said.

Chris Fearne

The Health Minister positioned himself as an integral part of Joseph Muscat’s political vision. He pointed out that in 2008 Dr Muscat had asked him to endorse him during the leadership campaign.

“The project started in 2008 must continue and we have an opportunity to continue winning for a generation but we have to keep our feet to the ground by listening to people’s concerns and understanding their aspirations,” Mr Fearne said.

He was the one to emphasise the ‘winning’ aspect the most, saying the Labour Party under Dr Muscat became a serial winner.

Mr Fearne skirted controversy when asked whether a comment he made in an interview that he was never tainted with any allegation of sorts was a jibe at district rival Konrad Mizzi. Admitting the “justifiable” rivalry on the district as a result of the electoral system that pits candidates of the same party against each other, Mr Fearne said he had a very good relationship with all parliamentary colleagues.

Mr Fearne agreed with quotas for women and said backbenchers in Parliament had to have the necessary resources to help them in their work.

Taking a leaf from a question that drew on his successful career as a paediatric surgeon, Mr Fearne said as a doctor he was accustomed to take decisions of life and death.

“I learnt to take important decisions based on facts, while remaining focused to ensure they were the right decisions but as a doctor I also realised that people have individual problems that have to be addressed,” he said, adding these were important traits in the political sphere.

Mr Fearne said delegates played an important part in helping the government remain grounded in reality.

The PN will not remain a broken party forever, which means that the Labour Party has to continue changing.- Fearne

While noting what he said was the state of disorientation the Nationalist Party was in, Mr Fearne cautioned people in his party not to become complacent. “The PN will not remain a broken party forever, which means that the Labour Party has to continue changing.”

While not categorically ruling out any future leadership bid, he insisted that his only ambition was to work together with Dr Muscat to ensure the party continued winning. “I believe Joseph Muscat is the best leader the Labour Party can have for the coming years.”

Edward Scicluna

The Finance Minister clearly positioned himself as the continuity candidate to pick up where Louis Grech left off.

Adopting the veteran mantle, Prof. Scicluna said he would serve as a father-figure to many of the new parliamentarians by imparting his knowledge and experience.

“My role is to ensure the new MPs get involved because this party has a bright future ahead of it,” he said, adding fairness was key to his work.

He said his competence, experience and loyalty were key factors that should land him the deputy leader job.

Traversing his past roles as a “behind-the-scenes” advisor to previous Labour Party leaders, Prof. Scicluna said he decided to take on a role on the frontline when Joseph Muscat became leader because he shared his “balanced and more positive approach”.

Prof. Scicluna said he would ensure that all ministers and parliamentary secretaries engage in regular structured meetings with delegates to keep them informed of government’s work.

I am not only ready to accompany the Prime Minister but also shoulder the responsibility he may shift onto me.- Scicluna

On Parliament, he said the institution should reform to ensure it became more efficient, adding his experience as an MEP could be put to good use.

Prof. Scicluna insisted he would be a strong shoulder on which the Prime Minister could rely on for support and advice.

“I am not only ready to accompany the Prime Minister but also shoulder the responsibility he may shift onto me… the deputy prime minister role is there to complement the Prime Minister and not compete with him,” he said, adding delegates had to choose someone who was ready to shoulder this weight.

Prof. Scicluna ruled out any leadership ambitions and insisted he was not interested in becoming a European Commissioner after Karmenu Vella’s term was up.