During the Labour Party leadership campaign I had openly supported Joseph Muscat and battled with other activists to stop their negative campaign against the other contenders. I believed, and naturally more now than before, that Joseph was the best amongst the group of honest, reliable, trustworthy and valid contestants. At the end of the day the best man won the race and we are now all proud and happy with our knight in shining armour.
Do we see the same situation now at the height of the National Executive campaign? From where I stand I only see a replica of the 2003 situation and look where that had got us at that time.
Difficult situations require us to take actions that would be considered extreme if taken in other situations. Actions which are more extreme than we normally take are considered “drastic measures”
On 6 November 1605, Guy Fawkes is reputed to have said: “The desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy”… which is very similar to “extremis malis extrema remedia”. In 2003 we totally ignored Guy Fawkes and burnt ourselves instead. And GonziPN are still laughing.  
I don’t feel very happy with the set-up of the five secretary general contestants who seem to be a collection of individuals in competition with each other, whilst the incumbent, though having his problems, seems to work with more vigour... albeit actually doing very little.
I do not mind repeating myself interminably that the incumbent does not know his onions and because of his lack of managerial skills and his political disabilities. Labour loyalists like us came out of the battle bruised and hurt.
Yet despite the malevolent situation, even now a number of party delegates are enjoying high hopes that vinegar might mellow and turn to wine.
This is the moment of truth; the wellbeing of Labour’s future has to outweigh personal ambitions. Now is the time to realise that six contestants campaigning for the one position is making it easy for the incumbent to win the race.
In 2003 the rudimental solution was overlooked; in 2008 our delegates saw the light and elected the brightest star. We now pray that the story so far would not become neutralised with a choice of the wrong contestant who doesn’t ‘know the ropes’.
Our Leader is unique and walks tall with aloofness when it comes to statesmanship, and we must respect his station and keep him on that pedestal of honour. Joseph will definitely not take a side in this contest and he will respect the delegate’s choice. True Labour loyalists should think twice before supporting any contestant who gets on the band wagon to give the impression that he is being endorsed by the leader.

Charles J. Buttigieg.
Mellieha