Although Labour’s national executive unanimously voted to have their defeat report published in its entirety, on Tuesday evening former tourism minister Karmenu Vella – a close colleague of acting Labour leader Charles Mangion – pleaded with members not to make the report public.
His plea was supported by Kalkara mayor Michael Cohen, who is a close associate of secretary-general Jason Micallef, and another member from Tarxien.
The report effectively blames Alfred Sant, Charles Mangion, Michael Falzon, Jason Micallef and Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi for Labour’s defeat, and was published on the MLP’s website yesterday afternoon. Sister newspaper Illum is publishing the full report in today’s edition.
In the executive meeting, Micallef was hoping the charismatic Karmenu Vella would sway the resolve of the executive. The proposal was to have the executive summary published instead of the entire report, but most members called for total publication.
The report effectively seals the Micallef’s fate, who will find it extremely difficult to garner enough support to stay on as secretary-general. Micallef still believes he has a fighting chance to stay on.
The executive meeting was not attended by leadership contenders and executive members Joseph Muscat and Michael Falzon. Falzon told colleagues he wanted the executive to be able to decide in complete freedom and liberty about the report.