Last Sunday, this newspaper presented us with a photograph of the leader of the opposition indulging in 40 winks during the parliamentary sitting held by the younger generation as part of the activities held during Environment Week. Though in all fairness this is not the normal style adopted by the leader of the opposition during Parliamentary sessions, it does open a window for us to comment as to whether this snooze was the result of putting one’s mind at rest or whether it purports to imply the total opposite. During sittings, Dr Sant is definitely on the alert, although many times he seems to take pleasure in going off at a tangent rather than discussing the question or agenda presented.

I believe that being the leader of the opposition is no easy task. One has to find the right atmosphere in order to be able to criticise the government of the day and at the same time do this in a constructive and sustainable fashion. And one also has to be, let’s say consistent, in one’s approach and attitude. Also, part of the job requires that the opposition party gurus and followers are kept in check and at arms length – lest they conjure up some scheme to upset the present party administration and topple the same leader from his seat at the top.

However, in the case of our leader of the opposition – as in most other situations – the position in Malta is sui generis – unique. Dr Sant seems to have a definite survival instinct, at least within his party ranks.

Notwithstanding opting out of Government over a concocted no-confidence vote back in the summer of 1998 (a vote which should never have been a no-confidence vote, as it did not concern a money bill but merely a definite project), Dr Sant survived any and all competition back in 1998, post election, as well as in 2003 after both the referendum and general election. Even the election of deputy leaders, who may not have been his first choice, seems to have been taken very much in his particular type of stride. His hold on the party leadership seems to be healthy enough, with the required boost to his survival chances coming just in time with the results of the local elections in 2003 and 2004. But then again, the Maltese are known to have a survival instinct.

This in itself is quite a feat, and one must admire his capabilities in retaining not only his position but also his composure in trying to convey a message that notwithstanding all the adverse liabilities – he ranks as the survivor of the fittest.

However, all that glitters may not be gold. The way I see it, it may either be that now he really believes that he stands a chance of being elected as the country’s alternative head of government at the next election – thus he can afford those 40 winks during the mini-assembly, or else the present goings on in his party are getting to him so much that he is definitely losing sleep and will take the chance of a leisurely 40 winks when the agenda does not require his total attention.

This weekend, the ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty seems to be on the agenda once again for him. The party’s extraordinary general council will soon be meeting to determine the Labour Party line. Although he has already declared, after an executive meeting, that Labour intends to vote in favour of this ratification, there are those who are totally against such a commitment.

There seems to be a consistent faction led by Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici (ex-leader and ex-Prime-Minister) that is not ready to let bygones be bygones and take up the present challenge. Nor is this sector ready to recognise the fact that Malta is in the EU for good and that any further foot-dragging can only harm their party.

Will the general council at the MLP headquarters put Dr Sant’s mind at rest or will it be the beginning of yet another bout of bickering within their ranks? Will it be time to call in the cavalry and get the house in order or will they have a debate which will cause further question marks among the doubters? These are pleasures still to come during the next month or so.

However, if I may ask – how many of the participants in the Labour party’s conference have had the energy and found the time to go through the Constitution being proposed? How many have formed an opinion after having debated and discussed the contents? How many of the delegates will have read even a précis of the Constitution or have gone into the nitty-gritty of the whole matter? Will the discussion be based on labours of the mind or expressions from the heart?

Putting one’s mind at rest is no easy task. However, not withstanding all the difficulties there are those who are capable of grabbing 40 winks even when a tsunami is just around the corner. Blessed are they.