Labour leadership contender Joseph Muscat has relayed a message to former leader Alfred Sant to “lay off”, warning that any political comeback by Sant would be interpreted as a sign of support for Muscat.
The young MEP has been keen on shaking off the perception he is Sant’s ‘poodle’, as the unenviable moniker goes, by warding off any attempt by the former leader to return to the fold.
Sant’s sudden appearance at a Labour national executive meeting last Monday was interpreted as having been “unhelpful” for Muscat, after Sant practically chaired the meeting after having met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi that day to discuss a pairing agreement for parliament.
Then on Tuesday, Alfred Sant gave his only public comment since his resignation to MaltaToday Midweek, hitting out at former deputy leader George Abela, a leadership contender, who claimed Labour had planned a “convergence” policy on the EU back in 1997. Sant discredited Abela’s claim.
The other contenders for the leadership post have truly fomented the widely held perception of Muscat being Sant’s man. Labour heavyweight George Vella, a former deputy leader and foreign minister, is openly backing Muscat, as are many of Sant’s acolytes such as Labour lawyer Pawlu Lia, former party president Mario Vella, Kullhadd editor Felix Agius, and Sant’s former personal aide, Joe Borg.
Joseph Muscat has maintained he has no preference for who should be elected deputy leader, and has also refused to attack George Abela, even openly suggesting there is room for people like Abela in the party. Abela resigned his post as Labour deputy leader in 1998 when the party decided to head for an early election.
Muscay also stood by secretary-general Jason Micallef, who has been held responsible for Labour’s electoral loss.
Muscat was the first to throw in his candidature for the post, and last week he quashed TVM reports that he would relinquishing his candidature to support George Abela.