The days of the contest are over, and on Sunday the MLP celebrated the first day of its new leader. Joseph Muscat thanked his predecessors William Savona, Paul Boffa, Dom Mintoff, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfred Sant for their political work and emphasised his determination to employ new ways in politics.
During his campaign, Joseph stressed that once the contest was over, he would work closely with the elected leader if he were not chosen, and now he has every right to expect that everyone would work with him. During the contest, Labourites felt a sense of betrayal when comments were made against their own party or when certain contestants were not so cordial with the rest. Charles Mangion hit the nail on its head when he said that politicians are there to serve their party and the country, and were not in the public domain for their selfish aspirations and interests.
Joseph’s first occasion was characterised by a practical example of party unity. He invited for his maiden speech, past politicians who in their own way and style (also reflecting their times) contributed to their country.
Coming from a rural environment, where farmers spend much time talking to each other and narrating, he highlighted the careful management of the environment as a priority. His narrating style is owed to his upbringing, and it was much in place to thank his family members for their care and affection.
He also offered the other contestants a vital role in the party. George Abela was offered a more active role in the party, whereas Evarist Bartolo, signifying unity even during the contest, was visibly seen extending his support for the new leader. One expects and understands the disappointment of the loser, but one’s foresight and maturity in these difficult situations are gauged by the ability of leaving the disappointment behind you and look forward. The young Gozitan singer Morena gave a lesson to all of us: we should never consider ourselves as losers even if we lose a contest. Life goes on.
I can say with some experience that within the structure of our political parties, the leader enjoys a pivotal and strong role, and those rebels without a cause are automatically left awash by the wayside.
Joseph’s charisma has been evident throughout his years in politics. He has a flair for campaigning and it would be unjust for him and his team to stigmatise his election to the leadership as if it were the work of some sect within the party. Joseph had his own campaigning team, and he managed to organise a very professional campaign which attracted hundreds of people to his social and political events. Youths played a very central role and if they had been afforded space during the party’s electoral campaign, Labour would have stood a better chance of being elected.
The new style in which he talked to his audience may be considered as a detail, but detail is very important in politics. The MLP’s political adversaries tried to scare party delegates from voting for Joseph because of his age. To me age is irrelevant. If anything, to be fresh, young and energetic is a big plus, not only in politics but in every other social and economic activity. Why do employers prefer younger employees? Because they prefer persons with more energy, initiative and innovation. Age does not count. A friend of mine, Vincent (we call him Censu) is 87 years young: he is attending a computer course to be on track with the younger generation. I judge Joseph not by his age but by his capabilities. I know persons of his age whose disposition is that of retired persons and are more negative than their parents. So it’s a question of character and disposition.
Personally, I consider myself very fortunate. I have three youngsters who kept me on track with the cyber-revolution. They speak, think and dream in the cyber language. The computer age and the wonders of the internet framed the younger generation. They interact through the internet and Facebook, Hi5 and other fora which are quickly removing barriers (even political ones) that older generations were eager to preserve.
Joseph belongs to this generation: he has been brought up in it and it is part of him. He used it successfully during his campaign and reflects clearly in his mentality.
His position as party leader is not an easy task. Politics is a thankless job and people embrace you when you have power, but quickly desert you when in their eyes you are no longer useful to fulfil their personal aspirations.
Like previous MLP leaders, Joseph will have to endure a hostile section of the Maltese press. His father was correct in saying that it would be very difficult for him to follow the daily press. Joseph is not new to the arena, having spent his early years as a journalist. His disposition to the media, even the hostile one, would pay dividends in the long term.
Yesterday he was frank with the PBS journalist who asked him whether he had discussed in private the Joe Debono Grech’s incident.
A couple of destructive journalists who normally harbour and spread venom on Labour unreservedly would still be there, but sooner rather than later even this will become outdated and irrelevant.
In my weekly contributions I have been craving for a complete change in political mentality. The two-tier political divide is proving to be unproductive to our nation. If we are friends on the internet, we should be friends in our place of work. Joseph’s promise of working with the government on certain issues of national interest (citing the ST Microelectronics crisis as an example) is a clear sign that we could be heading to a very interesting political age.
But government should reciprocate and be prepared to govern in the national and not in the party’s interests. One would expect co-operation from the Opposition. But the Opposition is also there to keep the government on track and to be bold enough to criticise in a constructive manner when the occasion so demands.