A piece that’s really worth reading

Published: November 9, 2011 at 12:04pm

I think you would do well to read Martin Scicluna’s article in The Malta Independent today. I’ve posted a link in the comments-board below.

Here is an excerpt. It should be pointed out that Scicluna was one of the main campaigners against the government’s anti-divorce stance, and can hardly be described as a government lackey, yes-man or dyed-in-the-wool Nazzjonalist.

———

But simply not being Lawrence Gonzi should not be enough, in an informed democracy, to win Joseph Muscat the next general election.

An impartial and objective observer is looking for a more substantive approach.

What, given the circumstances, would the Opposition have done differently in government in dealing with the Libyan crisis, the volatility in the capital markets, the fears about the immediate prospects for the world economy and the eurozone crisis?

The real gap lies in the dearth of properly thought out policy statements by the Labour Party. I cannot think of a single speech in which a coherent policy – a programme of work based on research, analysis and decision – has been laid out.

Wherein lies the substance of the government-in-waiting?

In most other countries a party which has been in opposition for the length of time this one has would have formulated significant alternative policies. But the Opposition appears to have none – or none that it is prepared to reveal for fear, it says, that these will be cherry-picked by an overwhelmingly pro-government media and undermined.

While it may be right in this assessment, it is only through public debate that we can assess whether what it is proposing makes sense and would pass the test of competence.




16 Comments Comment

  1. Lomax says:

    Thank you for referring to this article. I think the heart of the matter, in my view, is the following.

    What, given the circumstances, would the Opposition have done differently in government in dealing with the Libyan crisis, the volatility in the capital markets, the fears about the immediate prospects for the world economy and the eurozone crisis?

    For me, the utilities tariffs are not an issue, not because I’m rich but because I know that if I don’t pay for water and electricity directly, I’ll pay for them indirectly and I prefer being able to control what I spend in tariffs rather than having to spend money on direct and indirect taxes.

    However, even though I come from a Nationalist background, it is not my background which will make me vote Nationalist this time round but exactly the sheer competence shown by the PM when faced with serious, extremely serious situations, which could either make us or break us.

    I would prefer Gonzi at the helm when crises strike. This is my analysis of the situation.

  2. Jozef says:

    They know that, so their latest trick has been that of removing ‘Partit Nazzjonalista’ from their vocabulary, given its track record and related positive memory lasting two decades.

    They think this will give them the right to own a part of it, and be able to transmit the feel-good factor.

    The idea here, is to avoid badmouthing the PN.

    A bit like Cyrus and his perverse reluctance to let go of his ‘Partit Nazzjonalista’ page.

    It exposes a secret admission of the PL’s failure to provide the alternative option, preferring to style perception instead of a design to quality.

    One major identity crisis caused by the ‘inclusive’ free-for-all leading to an agglomeration of agendas and contrasting ideologies.

    Mintoffian socialism doesn’t mix with Sant’s neocon economics.

    Joseph has overstretched himself and judging by his piecemeal speech yesterday, sounds utterly confused what to do. I suppose the buck stops somewhere.

    (Which speech, by the way, carried Labour’s ‘Mintoff decriminalised homosexuality’ mantra.)

  3. Alfred Bugeja says:

    Seems like Franco Debono is losing the support of those who think straight…

    http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111109/local/chamber-pushes-for-decisions-on-long-pending-judgements.393017

    Apparently, Reuben Balzan also said that some of his proposals required a much wider discussion prior to making it to parliament. For some reason, timesofmalta.com are not reporting it.

  4. Albert Farrugia says:

    A government’s most important policy blueprint, the budget, is kept under the most stringent press embargo till the very second that it is being read in Parliament. And there are reasons for this. So what is so strange and appalling that a politcal party publishes its electoral programme appropriately when an election is announced? When, before 1987, former PN leader Fenech Adami was asked how he would fund, for example, the infrastructure revamp, his answer was “money will be no problem”. And this, by the way, during an election campaign. If the PN is so curious to know what the PL’s electoral programme will contain, all it needs to do is state clearly when an election will be held. And, in any case, if Martin Scicluna wants answers to, for example, how will issues regarding “our over-stretched welfare state” be tackled, he should for now simply ask the man in charge: the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who still has these proverbial “18 months” left at the helm. (has anyone noticed, btw, that they have been “18 months” for quite some time now?)

    [Daphne – I’m not even going to bother replying, Albert, except for this: electoral programmes are discussed by the electorate. Budgets are debated in parliament. Work it out, and work out why.]

    • johnny says:

      This is the latest elve refrain.

      I saw this same logic used in the comments on Maltastar and by Cyrus on his Facebook page just today.

      Of course it’s a ridiculous argument that holds no water.

      With the way the MLP have been acting (and their supporters defending them), what on earth do they think the function of the opposition is?

      I guess it is just to create instability in the country while trying to appeal to the unthinking.

    • La Redoute says:

      I’m fascinated. The PL’s fans think of its policies and Top Secret Plans to Obliterate the Enemy so True Believers Can Inherit the Earth.

      Think a little bit clearly, Albert Farrugia. Those polices – assuming, of course, that there really are any – will affect your life too. You’ve complained long and hard about what’s wrong. Surely you deserve to know how the PL plans to put things right?

    • Maryanne 2 says:

      And there’s the pre-budget document.

    • Vanni says:

      @ Albert Fenech

      Unfortunately for Labour, it has what could only charitably referred to as an iffy track record when it comes to electoral promises. Remember Sant and his removal of VAT?

      So unless Joseph has found a magic lamp somewhere, we expect to know where he is going to find the dosh to pay for his promises. It is childishly easy to promise to abolish or reduce an unpopular tax or levy, only to immediately introduce another tax to make up for the shortfall in revenue this will entail.

      In other words, an idiotic smile may impress the marmalja, but at the end of the day, it is cold facts and figures that are required, and not empty promises.

  5. Roberto says:

    Excellent article!

  6. 'Angus Black says:

    Albert Farrugia, you really mirror Labour’s IQ.

    Can you not discern the difference between a Budget and an electoral programme, or at least an indication as to what policies the Opposition plans to adopt?

    Do you not realize that revealing the contents of a Budget prior to its presentation in Parliament could give unfair advantage to investors and other interested parties? How would Joey react to such a ‘leak’ if one contractor/investor not wrapped in Labour’s flag (the one with the flaming torch) takes advantage of the Budget’s contents?

    Joseph refuses to answer the simplest of questions not because he is tongue-tied but because he wants to cover up the fact that he has no idea where to begin if he happens to be PM in 2013.

    But I am probably wasting my time explaining the how and the why (not) since your ears are only open to Joseph’s crap.

  7. Joe Xuereb says:

    I for one am of the opinion that soon after the budget is presented and debated, Gonzi should call an early election. The central theme should be Gonzi’s leadership vs that of Joseph Muscat with the economy being the central theme. Who is best fit to guide Malta. The answer is crystal clear. I am confident that the Maltese electorate will trust Gonzi once again.

    • John Schembri says:

      Gonzi will win , but the country will suffer. An election is the last thing the country needs.

      A responsible prime minister would not call for early elections just because he knows that he has a good chance of winning. There are far more important considerations which have to be taken into account.

  8. Alex says:

    A really good article. However, I do not agree with the conclusion where Martin uses the argument:

    “My sense is that people do undoubtedly hanker for a change. The polls indicate this. But people also need to know what they will get when the change happens. Above all, they wish to be confident that the party they vote into power will provide competent and effective government”

    With the Alfred Sant factor gone, the PN can only limit the damage, and use the opportunity to clean and reinvent itself.

  9. Qahbu says:

    What’s become of the living wage? Nobody mentions it anymore. It was stillborn.

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