Malta Labour Party leader Alfred Sant washed away all the doubts and insinuations about his political future last Monday when he said – in the simplest but most effective way he could – “I am coming back”. He was addressing journalists attending a press conference at the MLP headquarters.

Giving a detailed account of the medical problems he had soon after Christmas, and his recovery process following major colon surgery, Dr Sant made it clear that he will be leading his party at the next general election, whenever this will be held. He will now rest for another 10 days before he makes his next public appearance at the MLP general conference that will be held during the last weekend of January.

Much has been said and written in the media about Dr Sant’s medical condition since the news was made public on Boxing Day. Most of it dealt with whether the Labour Party, and Dr Sant himself, should have been more open with the people about what was happening to him. These speakers and writers felt that the people had a right to know because Dr Sant is a public person and the position he holds carries political weight. But even public people have their own private lives, which should always be respected.

Now that Dr Sant has spoken up, it is being said that he should have spoken up earlier, and that the information that was given last Monday should have been made public before, to avoid the speculation that emerged because of the scanty details that were being given. Still, if this is what Dr Sant chose – to wait – then his decision, being one that concerns his private life, should be respected.

Last Monday, Dr Sant and the MLP felt the need to put things into perspective. And Dr Sant spoke openly about his illness and the treatment that he still needs to undergo to improve his health. This was based on further tests that were carried out at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, which agreed with the local medical team’s assessment that there was no need for more tests and that the surgery had been curative. He will, however, need chemotherapy treatment to improve his health condition.

More importantly, Dr Sant said that the difficult time he has been through will not prevent him from leading his party in the coming election. He is looking forward to a “civil election campaign that centres on political, social and economic issues”. In other words, he was saying that his personal life should be put aside and the people should concentrate on the country’s future, not his own.

That Dr Sant can resume his position as Opposition Leader and MLP leader, was confirmed later by MLP secretary general Jason Micallef, during Monday evening’s edition of Bondiplus on TVM. These two interventions put paid to all the talk that was surrounding the MLP leader’s future.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo deserves a pat on the back for the way he tackled the Dr Sant issue during the same programme. He simply refused to enter into the arguments about the Labour leader’s medical condition and just wished that, next time, he would be arguing with Dr Sant about some political issue.

What Dr Vassallo said should be food for thought for all those who will try to continue to sow doubts and create confusion, possibly to take some form of advantage. Dr Sant said that he will resume his duties as MLP leader, and that should be the end of the story.