The other two members of The Winning Team vote against George Abela
Do you remember those The Winning Team billboards in Labour’s successful 1996 election campaign? They showed Alfred Sant sandwiched between a genuinely smiling George Abela and a dyspeptic George Vella. There’s no doubt who provided most of the winning factor there.
During yesterday’s Labour parliamentary group vote on whether George Abela should become president of Malta (they have no say in the matter, but anyway….), George Vella and Alfred Sant were heard objecting loudly. Then, after the secret ballot, two members were found to have voted against. As they say, no sh*t, Sherlock. Oh, and five of them didn’t turn up because of ‘previous engagements’.
The Times, Tuesday, 13 January
Two Labour MPs vote against Abela
Kurt SansoneTwo Labour MPs voted against and 26 in favour as party leader Joseph Muscat won near unanimity within his parliamentary group yesterday over the nomination of George Abela as the next President of the Republic. The vote was a secret one, held at the end of a heated discussion during which former leader Alfred Sant and former deputy leader George Vella were heard voicing disagreement, sources said. An MP abstained and five were not present for the debate, being caught up with other commitments.
Contacted after the vote, the two dissenting voices would not comment. Dr Vella said: “I will not discuss in public what was discussed in the parliamentary group. It’s not on. I have no comment to make”. Asked whether his arguments during yesterday’s parliamentary group meeting will have any bearing on the way he will vote when Dr Abela’s nomination is moved in Parliament, Dr Vella again insisted he will not comment.
Dr Sant’s reply was even shorter: “I have no comment to make”. Dr Sant and Dr Vella together with Dr Abela formed the party’s winning triumvirate in 1996 before the turnaround of fortunes during the short-lived Labour Administration.
During Labour’s leadership contest last year, both Dr Sant and Dr Vella had publicly denied Dr Abela’s version of EU-related events between 1996 and 1998. Dr Abela had said there had been internal party discussions to try and find a compromise solution with the Nationalist opposition on the best way forward with regard to relations with the EU.
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Daphne, in line with all this, this is a letter to the editor I sent to the Times this morning:
‘Upon discerning on George Abela’s nomination for President, I could not stop reflecting on the huge parallelism with the biblical phrase ‘For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it’ (Luke 9:24). For it is truly ironic that George Abela, who had to relinquish his political career in order to remain faithful to his principles, will now become President, while those who did everything possible under the sun to stick to their powerful positions had to accept a humble exit from the political arena, while being remembered much more for their failures rather their successful achievements. Such is the beautiful irony of life!’
Goes to show that Joe Muscat is really trying hard to start a new chapter within the Labour Party.
[Daphne – More to the point, Joseph Muscat now has George Abela safely out of the way. Better to kick him upstairs than to kick him into the wings.]
Could be! Bet he wishes to have the likes of Alfred Sant and George Vella out of the way also!
What has Joseph Muscat’s new chapter got to do with it? The decision/proposal was sent to him by the prime minister on the 29th December, he didn’t even have the time to propose someone else. Joseph Muscat could only accept or refuse. His acceptance proves that:
a) he does not want a moderate element in his party; and
b) he has fewer worries for his boys come the MEP elections.
The prime minister’s choice points indicates that:
a) there is a better chance of the PN getting the third MEP seat when they become six;
b) the moderate element has been removed from Labour, thus retaining a better chance come next elections;
c) Dr. Lawrence Gonzi can only be lauded for proposing a person from the opposite political camp;
d) Dr. George Abela is repected on all sides of the political spectrum;
e) Dr. George Abela was the better choice even among those whose name was not bandied about during last week.
Quite a politician, Dr. Gonzi is…..
Was it Lyndon B Johnson who said “Well, it’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in” of a political opponent?
Actually the whole choice is very Macchiavellian. We have George Abela being ”kicked” upstairs by the Labour Party, ensuring that he can no longer be a threat to Joseph Muscat………..and………..clever of the PM to propose the only person who could possibly win the elections for the Labour party.
However, it still an excellent choice.
Joseph Muscat now has George Abela safely out of the way. Better to kick him upstairs than to kick him into the wings.
And Lawrence Gonzi put Dr Abela “inside the tent”. Let us call it a “win win ” situation. George Abela was going to take a lot of sympathy votes from disgruntled PN voters if he contested the MEP elections.
Now without him Labour will lose some of its newly gained popularity. Is Sant making a comeback? It is typical of him that after months of silence (planning stage) he takes the limelight again. If I were to make a rule in a political party it would be that ex-leaders will not contest general elections.
@Silvan Mifsud
Your analysis is on the mark, with one caveat though. If by any chance the MLP gets into power then without doubt Joseph Muscat will return his heavy debt and forcefully back Sant for the president post. If Sant stays in good health we may someday see him as president. Life is up and down. I agree with you today that he is at the nadir of his political life, but tomorrow may not be. Time will tell.
Sorry Dr GEORGE ABELA was not kicked upstairs by PL but his choice was dumped on the PL . Joseph Muscat simply could not object to his nomination and besides he lost the opportunity of claiming a win in the president choice . DR Gonzi won hands down
George Vella could now hope for the top EU bureaucrat job for Maltese citizens: a Komissar. Many support the idea of kicking Vella upstairs since his sell-by date expired last century.
Funny, those same people who did not want Dr Abela as Labour leader are now saying that they want him as head of state. Xi haga ma tikwadrax. But I have some questions that you may have an answer to, Daph. X’jigri jekk Dr Abela jhoss li ma jaqbilx mal-politika ta’ Dr Gonzi? Jista’ jwaqqa’ l-gvern? X’poteri ghandu President? Jekk ma jaqbilx ikollu jirrizenja? Nafu kemm Dr Abela huwa bniedem tal-punt (ma tkunx l-ewwel darba li rrizenja min kariga minhabba li ma qabilx ma certi decizjonijiet), u nahseb qieshom dawn l-affarijiet. Imma jekk le, jista’ jkollna president li jirrizenja minhabba li ma jaqbilx?
[Daphne – The president can’t refuse to formally approve legislation (like divorce) and stay on. He would have to resign. But I can’t see that happening.]
I have nothing against George Abela; on the contrary repected him and was hoping he would be the leader of the Labour Party as he seems to have what it takes to make it a real alternative. However, in accepting the presidential nomination, Abela has shown that all he was looking for in his political ventures is glory. In nominating him Gonzi has neutralised him. I am sure Abela could have provided some true value to the Maltese people by becoming an MEP. What has he done for the country otherwise? Un bel zero – unless being the unelected deputy leader of the MLP for a short time or the paid legal consultant to the GWU counts. Not that being in politics should be a pre-requisite to becoming president, but some sort of service to the country should be. I am not sure if Gonzi was being Macchiavellian here or taking care of an old university friend. I think a bit of both. Abela on the other hand has, I am afraid, shown his true colours and the Maltese taxpayer will be saddled with having to pay him a pension from a relatively young age and all the perks that come with being president. I am sorry Dr Gonzi, this time I think you failed us – surely you could have found at least one other person out there who is truly worthy of being President.
“[Daphne – The president can’t refuse to formally approve legislation (like divorce) and stay on. He would have to resign. But I can’t see that happening.]”
You seem to be aware of what annoys George Abela, Daphne. He is known for his conservatism.
@ ae
I beg to differ! George Abela has done a lot for this country. Politically speaking he was one of the few honest politicians we had. He resigned when he did not agree with an idea imposed by Dr. Sant showing integrity and strong character. Other politicians just decided to hang on to their seat for power and glory! George Abela chose not to. Don’t forget he contributed to Malta’s accession in the EU.
He contributed in the voluntary sector by helping Kerygma and other charities. He was a respected professional – never arrogant and always fair. He was involved in trade unionism. He was involved in sports and last but not least, has always been an exemplary family man, not falling under the pressure made on him because of his families mixed political beliefs.
So there you have it an exemplary Maltese individual who should and has all the attributes to become the next president.
But thinking about it seriously, I think you are just a Labourite disguised as a Nationalist just to criticise Gonzi when you know that this decision has taken Labour by utter surprise. And I can tell out of experience being one of the ex-Elves :)
@ Lorenzo Vella – Everyone is entitled to an opinion. You expressed yours, I mine. Just keep in mind that yours may not be the right one. In fact, your last statement is totally wrong. I have never voted for Labour. I would like to have the option to do so, but so far I haven’t felt confident that they had the skills to lead this country. With George Abela at the helm they might have had a chance but with Joseph Muscat at the helm, who may be considered by some a nice guy but is so inexperienced, and with henchmen such as those by his side, it seems unlikely that I’ll be able to vote for them the next time round either. So much for your opinion. Its a pity that you marred an otherwise valid contribution until you resorted to becoming personal. It seems some can’t resist becoming personal and simply cannot accept opinions different to their own.
@ ae
nicely put.
@Lorenzo Vella
you boobed. apologise and all is forgiven
A day before George Abela’s name was leaked, I saw him queuing with his wife at Mater Dei Hospital.
Other retired VIPs don’t do that.