George Vella returns to hold focal role in Labour party
Kurt Sansone George Vella’s estrangement from the Labour Party’s front bench came to an end this week after the former foreign minister was appointed spokesman for European Affairs. The move confirms what MaltaToday had reported on 23 May when it was clear that there were manoeuvres to steer Vella back to centre stage.
Vella replaces Evarist Bartolo, who has been out of the limelight for quite some time despite occupying a high profile role in the Labour Parliamentary Group’s front bench.
Vella was the only one of Labour’s leadership trio who stood down after the 2003 elections and refrained from seeking re-election to a leadership post. At the time Vella was incensed with Sant’s decision to re-contest the leadership. As things turned out the Zejtun politician was the only one of the leadership trio burdened with the blame for the electoral defeat.
Vella refused to be appointed spokesperson and to mitigate matters Sant appointed him special advisor and senior delegate for the Labour Party to the European Parliament.
One year on, Vella’s walk in the wilderness has come to an end with Sant rehabilitating the former deputy leader and thrusting him into the important post of European Affairs spokesperson.
The move, mid-week, prompted by Karmenu Vella’s decision to relinquish the front bench because of private work commitments with Corinthia, sees Evarist Bartolo moving over to tourism.
Despite Sant’s apprehension that Bartolo may harbour leadership ambitions, the former education minister is turning out to be an indispensable cog in Labour’s machine.
After being shadow education spokesperson between 1998 and 2003, Bartolo was appointed to the important post of EU Affairs spokesperson. Now that Karmenu Vella has moved out of the picture - Labour loses one of its most competent people on the front bench - Bartolo has been entrusted with the post of tourism spokesperson. He takes over when this important sector for the economy is at its lowest ebb possible and is expected to inject some new energy to Labour’s criticism and policy making in this area.
The mini-reshuffle conducted by Sant also sees Bormla MP Chris Agius taking over the role played by John Attard Montalto, who resigned from Parliament after being elected MEP.
Agius was appointed main spokesperson for industry and investments. The move took many by surprise because Agius does not enjoy a high profile among industrialists. Activists have interpreted the decision as Sant’s way of trying to bolster support in the Cottonera district. Disgruntlement against Sant’s leadership still runs high in the second district.
Newly-elected MP Roderick Galdes was appointed spokesperson for the environment alongside Joe Brincat. Brincat’s performance in the environment portfolio has been lacklustre despite the increasing importance the environment being given in the country’s political agenda. Galdes, a Sant loyalist and Malta Environment and Planning Authority employee, may inject some fresh input to a ‘greener’ the Labour Party.
