What was meant to be a clever ploy to get equal media attention as the rival governing party on Independence Day was turned into a “veritable PR disaster” by Labour leader Alfred Sant, according to party functionaries in the MLP’s highest echelons.
Labour’s officials were outraged at their leader’s abysmal performance at the so-called Massfest in Birzebbuga Thursday night, shortly before the prime minister gave an upbeat confidence-exuding hour-long speech on the Granaries in Floriana.
Broadcast live on One TV, Sant’s speech was characterised by bizarre body language and a lugubrious tone of voice that stood in stark contrast with the positive message of change he was supposed to convey.
Even the live transmission was marked by mediocre direction, with cameras at times focusing on yawning supporters and others who looked dumbstruck by Sant’s antics.
The Labour leader’s speech succeeded the impeccable delivery by his deputy, Charles Mangion and secretary general Jason Micallef’s brief but confident message, besides Michael Falzon’s trite but harmless address.
“Pathetic”, “disastrous”, “screwed up”, and “bonkers” were among the words used by the Labour faithful who left Birzebbuga disoriented, disappointed and in disarray.
“He did it again,” said another party insider who has clearly given up on Sant.
“Gonzi is surrounded by the wrong people who are screwing up his chances of getting re-elected, Sant is screwing up the party single-handedly,” another one said.
Meanwhile, PN officials were similarly angry at Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela Wednesday night when Lawrence Gonzi was interviewed by One journalist Charlon Gouder.
Abela was captured on film asking Gouder whether he would “emigrate from Malta” if Labour lost the general election again.
“With his silly comment he managed to tarnish the moderate image that Gonzi wanted to convey,” an angry close aide of the PN leader said yesterday night.

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