The best, and I dare say, the only way that the Labour Party has to return to power is by returning to its left-wing roots. If the Labour Party really wants to regain its place in government, a deserved assignment of its character, it should, as soon as possible, change its course and seek to embrace a politics of social justice which can only be found in left-wing discipline, which unquestionably is after all its ‘raison d’être’.
Undoubtedly, the Labour Party must embark on a crusade of moral justice. It would be to the detriment of one and all if the people’s pulse would not be felt any longer and the grievances of the people remain unheard by the leaders expecting to be in government in the future.
It is rather regretful that sometimes we get lost over senseless and valueless details which, instead of being beneficial and helpful to the general public to realise and understand the prevailing sad and threatening situation, serve only for further alienation from the present problems.
It would be a grave mistake were the Labour Party try to ignore or discard the principles and its ambitions of Socialism that it inherited in order to appeal to all social strata. It is quite true that we must continue to renew and re-energise our thinking and organisation to fit modern times as consequently we can reach a wider audience of people of goodwill, but we must ensure to promise and avow never to give in to any compromise where our principles are involved and that the basic roots of our Socialist beliefs remain always the standard bearers of our Party.
The Malta Labour Party is no new movement, no ultramodern newborn! This is a great Party, embraced and adopted by half the population of Malta and built on solid foundations of principles and values of social justice. This party has always been a Socialist Party and it would be meaningless to continue to persist in playing with names so as to sound as some new movement just born recently through some individual endeavour. Isn’t it likewise loss of time and energy and a possible creation of fear of division, the game of changing the Party’s emblem? What is so wrong with our emblem?
These tactics lead to the erosion and loss of the trust of the population and often leave serious doubts on what is different in our party to other political groups. In such instances, even the existence itself of the party may be in jeopardy. The Malta Labour Party deserves much more trust and merit than the party on the other side of the scales, i.e. the Nationalist Party, which, dismally, does not even deserve to carry that designated name any longer after failing its mandate to safeguard the interests of the Maltese and their homeland. How could anyone still trust and rely on any of their promises subsequently to the forfeiting of our young independent republic and the governance of our country to the foreigner. The Malta Labour Party has no cause to change its name.
However, we should not divert into a tendency emphasising on managerialism and efficiency rather than on values and principles. The Malta Labour Party is capable of addressing and facing the present-day challenges by concentrating on, supporting and creating a fair and just equilibrium for the benefit of our society. It must continue to find the strength and competence to assure the Maltese electorate that its main goal is the redistribution of wealth and power, for fairness and equality of opportunity and outcome. Also, it must firmly ensure that the weight of any eventual necessary or compelling sacrifices be borne by those financially stronger or who have grabbed and profited most in other circumstances.
Since its inception, the Malta Labour Party has always been composed of elements of individuals with a sense of social justice, carrying a constant moral crusade upholding a just society and never wavering from professing its Socialist convictions. It is adamant that we be totally honest, firstly to ourselves and never hesitate to confess our doctrine. This is the spirit that should guide us. It is our foremost duty to be steadfast in our belief and act concretely appropriately.
We must not take any negative view and see the glass as only half empty but positively look at the part already half full. I do not want to sound as a pessimistic critic and do not offer my modest contribution for the future good of my Party.
Consequently, in all honesty and unpretentiously, I would like to suggest some specific stimulating points which hopefully would be taken into consideration for the betterment of the status of the Malta Labour Party. These would, in part, constitute:
i) less formality and more flexibility
ii) more and better study of values and principles rather than managerialism and administrative efficiency
iii) more upward than downward traffic.
Our serious determination must rest on the upholding of our Socialist beliefs and the sacrosanct principles for the elimination of all human exploitation. Only through this approach can we persuade the people of the sincerity and integrity of our conviction and thus win all deserved trust and respect.
On this will the judgement of the people be based at the next election.
“The best manner to kill a man is to pay him to do nothing.” – Felix Leclerc
Joseph M. Cachia
Vittoriosa