From Mr E. V. Saliba
The comments of several people on the forthcoming election of the leader of the MLP reproduced in this paper on 13 April are unbelievable. They betray a perverse state of denial on the rejection of the Malta Labour Party by the electorate in all general elections since December 1981, save that in 1996 which produced 22 months of MLP government, a dismal failure which turned an impressive majority support into an equally impressive rejection.
Unless this fact is accepted, and no excuses are brought forward to explain away this 27-year rejection (less 22 months), and the fault not laid at the door of others, there is no prospect of the MLP regaining the confidence of the electorate. Attitudes of “no regrets” for policies that have produced successive defeats, persisting in “living a lie”, compromising the truth lo keep with the crowd and hounding genuine critics, blind people to what is wrong and therefore has to be changed.
The undeniable fact is that the record of the MLP when in government in its last full term in 1981/87, and during its short-lived stint in 1996/98, is what undermines its credibility with the section of the electorate that holds the balance between the two extreme factions.
As long as the personalities, policies and attitudes associated with those days persist, and are sustained by a refusal to acknowledge their baleful effects, which justly call for an apology to the nation, the discriminating electorate is bound to remain sceptical.
The Nationalist administrations may not have been perfect, but under them mothers did not have to go to Sicily to buy chocolate and toothpaste for their kids (I presume this stands for children); nor did workmen dismissed by failing enterprises have no option but to join a labour corps under military discipline, or to join the highest number of unemployed experienced in independent Malta: nor did students have to find a sponsor to join the ever-diminishing number of unemployed students; nor did families have to offer bribes, or obtain a chit from a minister’s secretariat, to buy a black and white TV set or install a telephone; nor did one have to be a party supporter to be given a promotion; nor did the issue of a trade permit depend on a bribe or a favour being offered; freedom of expression prevailed without fear; plurality in mass media
Moreover, the police could be relied upon as a force of law and order, without the fear of being tortured, framed, or even murdered while under detention, or shot at when participating in a lawful public gathering; violence as a means of intimidating political opponents was not condoned; army and police personnel were not on a constant state of alert, spoiling most of their weekends and holidays.
Peace of mind reigned.
MLP electors should keep all this in mind, and reject those who pine for the “good old days” when the MLP imposed a hegemony over the country, and ran rough-shod over those who dared to express a dissident view.
There are still many voters who remember those evil days, and who are not easily deceived by PR tactics. Do not wait until all these voters pass away before you change your ways. It might be too late by then.
Evarist V. Saliba
IBRAG