“It is unacceptable for the National Campaign for Independence to tell (the Malta Labour Party) what we should do (on the ratification of the European Constitution). When we needed them on the European Union referendum and the 2003 general election they were not there to help us” – Labour Leader Alfred Sant last Sunday.

“We did not expect this. But if Dr Sant wants to wage war, we will defend ourselves and fight back” – Campaign for National Independence chairman Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici last Monday.

The battle within the Labour Party is on, as the party prepares for a general conference that is to decide what stand it will be taking on the ratification of the European Constitution when this will eventually be debated in Parliament, probably early next month.

It is ironic that the biggest obstacles for Dr Sant have always come from within. When in government between 1996 and 1998, Dr Sant had to contend with former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, then a Labour MP, and ultimately had to bow to the pressure and call an early election that decreed the end of the Labour administration after only 22 months.

The situation is different today because the MLP is in opposition. But it is yet another former Labour Prime Minister, Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who is putting spokes in the MLP’s wheels.

The Labour parliamentary group has already made its position clear – it is in favour of ratification, albeit with some reservations. As such, it has been realised that now that Malta is a member of the EU, Labour would be seen as still being against membership if it were to be against ratification.

If the MLP were to take a “no” position, it would be a considerable risk. Although the general election is still too far away to make any predictions, a stand against the EU would be perceived as meaning that the MLP has not changed, and any advantage that it may have taken since the 2003 election could be lost.

On the other hand, the MLP wants, as much as possible, to put the past behind it. Dr Sant still says that he does not regret the partnership option that the MLP offered in contrast to membership – he did so again last Sunday – but at the same time, Labour wants to show that it has accepted the people’s verdict and wants to move on.

And this is why the MLP headship is pushing in favour of ratification of the EU Constitution. It does not want to show itself as being anchored in the past and, at the same time, it shows that it understands that a decision has been taken and this must be respected.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici is still persevering in his position and is urging the MLP to “abstain constructively”. The “no” vote in France and in Holland has helped Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s cause, and he was quick to take advantage of the situation, saying that he cannot understand why the Nationalist Party and the MLP will continue the process of ratifying the EU Constitution.

He is also trying to strike a chord with Labour diehards by saying that the MLP would be betraying the people who voted for the party in 2003 if the MLP votes in favour of ratification.

On his part, Dr Sant cannot understand the position advocated by Dr Mifsud Bonnici. “It’s either a yes or a no,” the Labour leader said.

The fact that it has now been revealed that the party delegates will be casting a secret vote on the issue will allow the party delegates to vote more comfortably. It also shows that the MLP leadership is prepared to take the risk. It could be that it is convinced that the majority of delegates will be supporting ratification and, therefore, a positive result in its favour would strengthen its position.