MLP Leadership Contest - Redressing The Balance (at least a little)

The time pressure I’ve been under recently has also meant that I haven’t been able to comment on what the other candidates are up to. I hope to improve on this in the coming days as from what I see on the internet, and the few things I managed to read during my weekend in Malta, they’ve all been saying (mostly) interesting and positive stuff.

To help redress the balance a little, here are some links to the candidates websites, with the exception of Marie Louise, for who I can't find an official site.

Michael Falzon
George Abela
Evarist Bartolo

MLP Leadership Contest - Is Dom Mintoff worth it?

So, George Abela wheeled out Dom Mintoff to support him at his latest public meeting.

So, here's a guy who was Prime Minister nearly 25 years ago and who's 91 years old, and who far a large chunk of the electorate brings back nothing but bad memories still sticking his oar in.

Talk about looking to the future!

I've no doubt there's still a constituency that looks to Mintoff but I can't believe that a party who's main problem is attracting younger voters and broadening its support could possibly look to such a divisive figure. George Abela's just made a big mistake!

MLP Leadership Contest - George Abela launches manifesto

I’ve been away for a few days, taking my first holiday in ages and I confess to not having followed recent developments too quickly. A quick glance around the internet tells me that George Abela has launched his manifesto today. There doesn’t seem to be anything really specific in what I’ve read so far, just a repetition of the broad themes that have already been aired.

MLP Leadership Contest - Joseph Muscat's Vision for a coaltion of Progressives and Moderates

I know what I like and I like what I hear. Joseph Muscat’s latest article on his website sets out two fundamental truths in politics. It’s essential to have a clear vision and strategy and then you have to work like hell to build a big enough coalition around that vision to get you into power.

It’s good to see that he’s making it very clear that there is a central role for George Abela in an MLP led by him. A coalition of progressives and moderates with a clear agenda for Malta’s role in EU sits very well with my own personal thoughts which I outlined yesterday. Let’s hope on 5 June we can start making this vision a reality.

MLP Leadership Contest - Open Debate

I’ve been away for a few days. There’ve been far too many things going on and I simply haven’t had time to post much. Firstly, a quick response to the anonymous post. I’ve got nothing against being critical of George Abela and I think the points made about his behaviour over the past few years are totally fair comment.

But I do feel it’s a case of cutting your nose off to spite your face. If the whole country knows what’s going on, to ignore it just makes you look silly. It reinforces the stereotype that the media in Malta love to give the left – that it is not able to conduct itself maturely.

As far as I’m concerned a newspaper has an obligation to report facts and to show respect to the intelligence of its readers and not treat them like children. If George Abela is not the man to lead Labour – which is obviously what I think – then all his failings will come out in any discussion on the position.

The ample editorial space gives every media the opportunity to discuss the merits, or lack of them, of any candidate. So let’s grow up. Let’s have all the facts reported and let’s give everyone the opportunity to defend their record. In that way, at the end of the race no one can have any complaints and the rest of the media in Malta won’t have so many excuses to portray Labour as a party that is not open to debate.

Anyway, I'll be back later.

MLP Leadership Contest - The George Abela Interview

Is it a declaration? Or isn't it? Is it a promise of a declaration? Or a holding position to see whether the rules to elect the party leader will be changed to give all members a vote?

George Abela's interview on di-ve actually doesn't leave any doubt. So why are l-orizzont playing silly buggers and not covering him?

I think it's a real shame that at a time when everyone should be looking at the bigger picture of how to create a united party that can really take on the PN, people are already restoring to this type of playground squabbling.

If we can't even do this, how the hell are we going to get people to trust the MLP with the country. And another thing while I'm at it. Why did Jason Micallef have to comment? Whatever his feelings about George Abela - and I'm sure there are many who agree with Jason's point of view - as the CEO overseeing this election he should stay out of it.

We've got two months to discuss how the MLP goes forward and under which leader. There's plenty of time for heated debate and arguments but let's hope the focus stays on how to make the party more relevant to a wider audience rather than turning into an internal squabble.

Lets have huge rows by all means but lets make those rows productive!

In terms of policy, to be honest there wasn't much content in the interview I feel is worth writing about. Sorry!

MLP Leadership Contest - And then there were three

So now its a three horse race with Evarist Bartolo joining the fray in another shock to the system. All we're waiting for is George Abela and then the list will be complete.

It's still very early days and everyone is being very polite and pretty vague although young Mr Bartolo has been the first to take an open swipe at Alfred Sant, saying that he should have resigned in 2003. No shit Sherlock! There's a revelation for you.

How people position themselves in relation to Dr Sant during all this is going to be fascinating. Some distance will be needed - cue Mr Bartolo's comments and Michael Falzon resurecting the fact that he disagreed with the 1998 election call. But candidates will also need to be careful. Alfred Sant clearly is hugely popular with a lot of Labour supporters and among the party delegates.

As candidates jostle to win over the middle class, the young and the floating voters, they would also do well to remember that their first electoral test lies much closer to home.

It's a difficult balancing act but it's a good first test for anyone wishing to submit themsleves to all the contradictory and yet powerful demands that being Prime Minister brings with it.

It seems to me that the real business is yet to begin with everyone waiting for others to declare their hand. Hopefully as things hot up we'll have a few more things to debate.