Outer space is full of debris rattling towards planet earth. Broken up satellites, rocks from hurtling stars and firey comets just missing us by a whisker. Or is that actually the Labour party at the centre of the black hole that is under attack from flying missiles?
Every day, it seems, the press are called out for a press conference, once, twice a day, adding to the traffic, to sit and listen to some new denial of a denial, to not ask questions but just to report on the denials and the serfdom of one Minister or another, tripping in their last statements and confusing one story with another. Debate is dead. The Movement long abandoned. All that exists now is a vacuum that is growing wider and deeper by the day. If it not seen yet, it is sensed.
In between one embarrassing revelation and another on this government's scandal ridden rulership, the image is consolidating of a Prime Minister unfit to govern. There are only so many excuses one can bring to the electorate to try and fool them about what is plainly clear before their eyes. Until now he has managed to deflect any opposition coming from within his own ranks but if they don't jump ship soon, then it is probable that there will be a silent mutiny and the culprits abandoning ship themselves. It is quite unlikely for a consensus to continue where the leader of the party and two of his closest aides are given a free pass to manoeuver and take-over the assets of incumbency without any remorse or restraint whatsoever.
What was a long-awaited re-emergence of the Labour Party, after decades in the abyss, is in jeopardy due to the wiles of a few and the consensus of several. There is a sharp contradiction taking place which threatens not just the party in power but the country as a whole.
Along with all the party members and Ministers that support the weak response to allegations surfacing all around them, the country as a whole must now ask itself if it is willing to go along with the charade or if the time has come to break away and pitch their tent at another camp.
Joseph Muscat had hit the campaign of 2013 as a major asset for the labour party, then re-styled in the Movement, blue ties and all. All the credentials were given a make-over and populist support was sought in every direction. Bill boards and white-boards instructed people on how to vote and what to dream of. Every person's fantasy was going to become a reality. If lawlessness and corruption were needed for this to happen, then we can say that some people were not disappointed. But as one accusation after another is confronted by him, Joseph Muscat is quickly changing from an asset to a liability.
How much more does the electorate want of this fake management?
The time is now for a new consensus. One that will ensure a certain and necessary change in government for Malta under the leadership of Simon Busuttil and with a worthy group of representatives for the people, ready to start again from the beginning, re-installing democracy, liberty, freedom of speech, accountability and justice and a good name. This election will not just be about one leader versus another, or one permit or job being promised in return for a vote. It is hard to believe, it is true, but the time has come where trust and ability will be an overriding factor beyond partisan and personal interests, possibly even beyond popularity. Even though Joseph Muscat leads the polls in the trust ratings, that is the element of stubborn on which he continues to stake his job. On its own, this core will not be enough to withstand the realisation that the day is fast coming for Labour to be returned to the opposition.