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
Showing posts with label Michael Falzon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Falzon. Show all posts
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Sunday, 27 April 2008
MLP Leadership Contest - Michael Falzon's Open Democracy
Here's a note Michael Falzon left on Facebook today. He's introduced a concept of consultative referendums within the Labour Party in deciding party policy - and eventually Government policy.
It sounds like a good idea, and as Michael says in his comments it's something that's been used in other EU countries. I'm personally not sure how effective it is in creating coherent policy though.
In reality, people hold contradictory views at the same time. Put at it's simplest, people will vote to cut taxes and to increase services (i.e. raise spending). So, we definitely need to hear a few more detials to see exactly when and how this 'open democracy' will apply
Anyway, here's Michael's article ....
"Punt fejn jista’ jkun li waqajna lura meta mqabbla ma’ sħabna s-Soċjalisti Ewropej, huwa fejn jidħol it-tiġdid ta’ l-identità xellugija tagħna. Dan it-tiġdid huwa meħtieġ, biex il-prinċipji li jsawruna jibqgħu rilevanti għall-ħajja politika tal-lum. Bosta partiti xellugin fl-Ewropa, għandhom strutturi miftuħa li kontinwament għaddejjin jistudjaw xejriet ġodda li jridu jagħtu lill-politika tagħhom fit-tħaddim prattiku tagħha. Hija xewqa tiegħi, kemm-il darba nkun maħtur Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista, li anke aħna nibdew proċess simili.
Kemm minn dak li għaddej fl-Ewropa, u kemm minn dak li ħassejt tul il-kampanja elettorali, waqt it-tħabbit bieb bieb għand iċ-ċittadini, pajjiżna jinħtieġ politika li l-mira ewlenija tagħha tkun li tqiegħed liċ-ċittadin fiċ-ċentru ta’ l-agenda politika. Dan jimplika twessiegħ, kemm fl-istanzi tal-konsultazzjoni, imma ukoll, u forsi aktar importanti, fil-proċessi tad-deċizjoni (”empowerment“).
Dan it-twessiegħ irid isir kemm fuq il-livell governattiv u anke fuq dak tal-Partit. Huwa kruċjali li l-poplu jħoss li l-partit qed imexxi ‘l quddiem l-aġenda taċ-ċittadin; li l-partit huwa l-vuċi tal-poplu. Inutli li l-partit ikollu aġenda mżewqa bi proposti tajbin, jekk il-poplu ma jkunx jidentifika ruħu biżżejjed ma’ dawn il-proposti.
Għal dan il-għan inħoss li l-Partit għandu jagħmel riforma importanti fejn f’sensiela ta’ laqgħat miftuha għall-kulhadd, li jsiru perjodikament, jisma’ mingħand il-poplu x’għandu xi jgħid l-istess poplu, kemm dwar il-politika attwali laburista u kemm dwar proposti ġodda. Barra minn hekk, inħoss li wasal iż-żmien, u dan jista’ jseħħ faċilment minħabba d-daqs ta’ pajjiżna, li meta l-Partit jiġi għal deċiżjonijiet ewlenin tal-politika tiegħu, bħal ma kien il-każ tal-politika ewropea laburista, jkun jista’ anke jikkonsidra li jorganizza referendum konsultattiv fost il-membri kollha tiegħu. B’hekk inkunu ċerti, li d-deċiżjoni li nieħdu fl-istrutturi nterni, tkun tirrifletti s-sentimenti ta’ firxa akbar ta’ nies. B’dan il-mod ukoll, il-membri laburisti jkollhom konvinzjoni akbar għax ikollhom “ownership” tal-politika Laburista, meta jiġu biex iwasslu l-messaġġ tal-Partit.
Dan il-ftuh għal sehem akbar mill-poplu fl-agenda politika tal-Partit (u eventwalment tal-pajjiż) nixtieq insejjaħlu bħala “People’s Labour”; kunċett li jirrifletti dak li għaddej fost il-partiti sħabna fl-Ewropa biex iwieġbu għal realtà komuni għalina lkoll, fl-istess waqt li jkun adattat għaċ-ċirkostanzi tagħna bħala pajjiż. Fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin se nkompli nispjega aħjar kif nixtieq li flimkien, inħaddmu dan il-kunċett.
Illum - 27 ta' April 2008"
It sounds like a good idea, and as Michael says in his comments it's something that's been used in other EU countries. I'm personally not sure how effective it is in creating coherent policy though.
In reality, people hold contradictory views at the same time. Put at it's simplest, people will vote to cut taxes and to increase services (i.e. raise spending). So, we definitely need to hear a few more detials to see exactly when and how this 'open democracy' will apply
Anyway, here's Michael's article ....
"Punt fejn jista’ jkun li waqajna lura meta mqabbla ma’ sħabna s-Soċjalisti Ewropej, huwa fejn jidħol it-tiġdid ta’ l-identità xellugija tagħna. Dan it-tiġdid huwa meħtieġ, biex il-prinċipji li jsawruna jibqgħu rilevanti għall-ħajja politika tal-lum. Bosta partiti xellugin fl-Ewropa, għandhom strutturi miftuħa li kontinwament għaddejjin jistudjaw xejriet ġodda li jridu jagħtu lill-politika tagħhom fit-tħaddim prattiku tagħha. Hija xewqa tiegħi, kemm-il darba nkun maħtur Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista, li anke aħna nibdew proċess simili.
Kemm minn dak li għaddej fl-Ewropa, u kemm minn dak li ħassejt tul il-kampanja elettorali, waqt it-tħabbit bieb bieb għand iċ-ċittadini, pajjiżna jinħtieġ politika li l-mira ewlenija tagħha tkun li tqiegħed liċ-ċittadin fiċ-ċentru ta’ l-agenda politika. Dan jimplika twessiegħ, kemm fl-istanzi tal-konsultazzjoni, imma ukoll, u forsi aktar importanti, fil-proċessi tad-deċizjoni (”empowerment“).
Dan it-twessiegħ irid isir kemm fuq il-livell governattiv u anke fuq dak tal-Partit. Huwa kruċjali li l-poplu jħoss li l-partit qed imexxi ‘l quddiem l-aġenda taċ-ċittadin; li l-partit huwa l-vuċi tal-poplu. Inutli li l-partit ikollu aġenda mżewqa bi proposti tajbin, jekk il-poplu ma jkunx jidentifika ruħu biżżejjed ma’ dawn il-proposti.
Għal dan il-għan inħoss li l-Partit għandu jagħmel riforma importanti fejn f’sensiela ta’ laqgħat miftuha għall-kulhadd, li jsiru perjodikament, jisma’ mingħand il-poplu x’għandu xi jgħid l-istess poplu, kemm dwar il-politika attwali laburista u kemm dwar proposti ġodda. Barra minn hekk, inħoss li wasal iż-żmien, u dan jista’ jseħħ faċilment minħabba d-daqs ta’ pajjiżna, li meta l-Partit jiġi għal deċiżjonijiet ewlenin tal-politika tiegħu, bħal ma kien il-każ tal-politika ewropea laburista, jkun jista’ anke jikkonsidra li jorganizza referendum konsultattiv fost il-membri kollha tiegħu. B’hekk inkunu ċerti, li d-deċiżjoni li nieħdu fl-istrutturi nterni, tkun tirrifletti s-sentimenti ta’ firxa akbar ta’ nies. B’dan il-mod ukoll, il-membri laburisti jkollhom konvinzjoni akbar għax ikollhom “ownership” tal-politika Laburista, meta jiġu biex iwasslu l-messaġġ tal-Partit.
Dan il-ftuh għal sehem akbar mill-poplu fl-agenda politika tal-Partit (u eventwalment tal-pajjiż) nixtieq insejjaħlu bħala “People’s Labour”; kunċett li jirrifletti dak li għaddej fost il-partiti sħabna fl-Ewropa biex iwieġbu għal realtà komuni għalina lkoll, fl-istess waqt li jkun adattat għaċ-ċirkostanzi tagħna bħala pajjiż. Fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin se nkompli nispjega aħjar kif nixtieq li flimkien, inħaddmu dan il-kunċett.
Illum - 27 ta' April 2008"
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
MLP Leadership Contest - Michael Falzon on Facebook
One thing to mention from before I went away was a quick Facebook exchange with Michael Falzon on the very sensitive issue of abortion. Obviously the political consensus in Malta is pro-life and I’ve got nothing against that.
I do worry that the tone with which abortion is discussed could use a little more compassion for women who choose to abort. It seems to me that male dominated Maltese politics doesn’t do enough to help women who for the most part are put into extremely difficult situations by men! Anyway, I’m still waiting for a response on the last point.
That said, I’m sure none of the other candidates would be brave enough to really get stuck in to this type of discussion at the moment.
I do worry that the tone with which abortion is discussed could use a little more compassion for women who choose to abort. It seems to me that male dominated Maltese politics doesn’t do enough to help women who for the most part are put into extremely difficult situations by men! Anyway, I’m still waiting for a response on the last point.
That said, I’m sure none of the other candidates would be brave enough to really get stuck in to this type of discussion at the moment.
Monday, 14 April 2008
MLP Leadership Contest – Using new technology
I got a Facebook friend request from Michael Falzon this evening, which of course I accepted. It’s good to see politicians embracing new technology to stay in touch with people. One of the things that really struck me during the election campaign was the amount of online activity the PN were putting out. Hopefully, whoever wins this contest will continue to make the most of the internet to connect with people.
Monday, 31 March 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, 30 March 2008
MLP Leadership Contest - Michael Falzon Joins Race
Michael Falzon's decision to join the contest for MLP leadership is no surprise and to be honest I'm pleased he's taken this step. I've got a lot of time for him and think he's going to make a fine MP.
I'm not sure though about how politicians who are already associated with failure are perceived by the public. I'm clear in my mind that you can't blame him for past MLP electoral defeats but he was very obviously close to the centre and I do think that will be a disadvantage.
I also feel that as yet he hasn't been very clear in what his political vision is. We have had more words on the subject of inclusion but I don't think he has articulated very clearly where he wants Malta to head.
Obviously there's a long road ahead and over the next two months as we get a clearer idea of how things are going to evolve we'll be hearing a lot more on what all the candidates think. What is really positive is that the contest is going to be between high quality candidates. This should mean a good debate about how the Labour Party should move forward and the emergence of a leader with the ability to effectively challenge the Nationalists. Lets hope so anyway.
I'm not sure though about how politicians who are already associated with failure are perceived by the public. I'm clear in my mind that you can't blame him for past MLP electoral defeats but he was very obviously close to the centre and I do think that will be a disadvantage.
I also feel that as yet he hasn't been very clear in what his political vision is. We have had more words on the subject of inclusion but I don't think he has articulated very clearly where he wants Malta to head.
Obviously there's a long road ahead and over the next two months as we get a clearer idea of how things are going to evolve we'll be hearing a lot more on what all the candidates think. What is really positive is that the contest is going to be between high quality candidates. This should mean a good debate about how the Labour Party should move forward and the emergence of a leader with the ability to effectively challenge the Nationalists. Lets hope so anyway.
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