Last Sunday’s Labour Conference was characterised by Alfred Sant’s return to the political scene after a short absence due to his unfortunate ill health. I was invited to attend the conference together with many other guests hailing from different political quarters.
I have followed the Labour general conference for many years but this year’s conference was different in many ways. It was very professionally organised and open to persons not involved in politics. There was a record attendance by diplomats accredited to Malta and the foreign element was conspicuous by the numerous messages sent from all over Europe. The attendance of the American and Chinese diplomats underlined the importance attached to this year’s conference.
There was a lot of expectation to see Alfred Sant’s comeback and speech content. A professor of medicine who was sitting next to me told me: ‘Dr Sant must be in very good health. If he were not, his speech would have only lasted 20 minutes. The fact that he spoke for over an hour without any difficulty at all proves that he is in good health.’ The professor’s words were the best part of the conference for me: I have always emphasised that one’s health is much more important than any other consideration be it political or otherwise.
The Maltese people as a whole showed a lot of maturity. Labourites, Nationalists, AD spokespersons and supporters all wished Dr Sant well as he himself confessed during the conference. The presence of his family members, including that of his beloved mother, was also a sign of family unity that we treasure in our country. In times of difficulty and bereavement, family ties become more pronounced and the person passing through difficulty appreciates much more his beloved ones.
I could appreciate what Alfred Sant’s mother must have felt seeing her son alive and kicking and taking centre-stage after a period of gloom and sadness. Equally, one imagines the joy of a son seeing his mother supporting him like nobody else.
But apart from the deep emotion that was felt throughout the whole conference, the political observer would not miss the substance of the speech itself. Unlike many political speeches that we often have the misfortune to listen to, Alfred Sant’s speech was a forward-looking delivery. The criticism of the incumbent government was minimal and the speech concentrated more on Labour’s political programme and vision.
Sant dealt with Labour’s proposal of halving the surcharge on water and electricity, highlighting Labour’s commitment to invest more in alternative sources of energy. Malta is one of the highest consumers (per capita) of oil energy in the EU. The Maltese government has invested next to nothing in alternative energy and we depend totally on the consumption of oil energy.
The short messages sent by European Labour and Socialist Parties were couched in the social aspect of politics: the plight of the ordinary man who has a right to meaningful education; unconditional health care, and a job to sustain the family needs. They referred to a just system of taxation for the welfare of senior citizens and persons with special needs. The organisers did the right thing providing a sign interpreter for persons with hearing difficulties. It was a laudable detail that should be emulated by all those who organise mass activities to be screened on television.

The Labour leader’s speech dealt with Labour’s port project; the importance of providing effective education. He read an e-mail sent by a teacher who informed him about her frustration that the set-up in her school hindered her aspirations to give her students the best education possible. She pleaded to him to keep education outside political controversy. Dr Sant thanked her and promised her that his party would never make political capital out of education. Apart from education there are other sectors that should be left out of political controversy. Topping the list is health, to be followed by the financial services sector and other sensitive areas that should attract the consensus of both political parties irrespective of which party wins the election.
The theme which dominated Labour’s conference was the advancement of the family as the basic social unit. Dr Sant reiterated that the Labour Party would work for children’s rights irrespective of whether they hail from a formal and traditional family or from some other relationship. Children are all the same and should enjoy the same rights. The unjust situations often meted out to children, because their parents are unmarried, or because they have a single parent, is traumatic and should be remedied at once.
Sant’s speech spelled out Labour’s vision for a new and healthier economy; lesser taxation and a more active role in the European Union. Malta should contribute more to Europe but at the same time would expect more respect and more benefits from being a Union member and a participant of the eurozone. Labour was also determined to strengthen Malta’s ties with its neighbouring countries; closer relations with the US, Russia, China and India. Malta should not limit itself to the EU. Labour’s vision is deeply rooted in social justice and an earnest desire for change.

During the conference I met old acquaintances but was the more pleased with the interventions of a good number of promising youngsters. At a time where youths tend to abhor politics, Labour should consider itself fortunate to have a good number of quality youngsters working in its fold. The conference was vibrant with energy, reminding me of the 1996 Labour conference which preceded a Labour victory.