From Mr P. Apap Bologna

It was good to see Marie Benoît back in print today. I enjoyed her visit to Bath, and was quite jealous of the excellently cooked, non-greasy English breakfasts. It is always rather heart-warming to read about her “babies”, as well as her views on current events and the latest from the chattering classes. As you know, the main topic of conversation is the MLP leadership. I do so disagree with my old friend and schoolmate Norman Hamilton that the MLP leadership is solely the prerogative of the MLP. The MLP is not a closed religious sect; it is a public political party that needs a consenting majority of voters to gain Government, and thus should spread its appeal as widely as possible.

Tony Blair’s success was to win over people like me, who would normally not have voted Labour. This has to happen here unless we are to be landed with a self-perpetuating oligarchy.

That the MLP currently presents itself as a closed organisation gives the impression that it is controlled by a politburo of hardened party officials, who seem to fear an open democratic process. This is an oligarchical anachronism, totally out of tune with Europe with which the vast majority of Maltese are now delighted to be associated.

The old divisions need to be forgotten. Mintoff and KMB must now be relegated to history and a new MLP should arise like a phoenix out of the ashes of old hatreds and ideologies, so that people like me can have the option to help bring about a change of government when the time comes.

Peter Apap Bologna

SLIEMA