The Nationalist Party is morally and ethically correct when it picks on statements from Labour Party ranks that verge on being racist.

What I question is whether the PN is scoring any political points with this, and whether it is politically viable to keep making the point repeatedly.

The PN has always accused the Labour Party of being populist and say that Labour would do anything and promise everything to earn a few votes. The PN says that, as a party, it has never wavered from its principles, even when this might be costly in terms of popularity.

When it goes on the attack against PL exponents whom it accuses of being racist in comments they have publicly made on illegal migration, the PN is sticking to its belief that what is right is always right, irrespective of whether this will mean more votes.

But, while it is right to point this out, I believe that it should stop there, and should not go on and on about it as if it were the biggest crisis we have in this country. We have had statements from the PN on this particular matter this past week and the issue has been over-exposed in the party’s media as well.

By repeatedly bringing up the issue, the PN is indirectly giving the impression that it is trying to divert attention from its own internal issues which, as we all know, are far bigger than potentially racist comments posted on Facebook.

The PN must also remember that there is a growing sentiment that is not exactly sympathetic towards migrants. Of course, the PN will argue that the issue goes beyond populism. Still, with an election around the corner, the PN should take everything into consideration before going on a crusade against Labour on a situation that will not earn it accolades.

Nobody will shift from Labour to PN on what a Labour MP says about migrants.

* * *

The Curia has issued a statement, signed by Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, saying that they expect justice to be meted out “against the persons [for which read soldiers] and institution [for which read the Armed Forces of Malta] involved” in the death of a migrant from Mali.

I do not remember the Maltese Curia calling so urgently for justice when priests were accused of molesting, sexually abusing and raping children for whom they were responsible.

Using the Curia’s argument that the “institution” should be held responsible and for justice to be meted out against it, the Curia should also be held accountable for the despicable and heinous crimes committed by priests on children in their care. Or not?

* * *

The Labour Party has said that the price of fuel should have fallen much more than it did, given the international situation.

After months of complaining that the price of petrol and diesel was going up and eating into the earnings of the Maltese, one would have thought that it would have at least expressed some appreciation that prices had done down. Or say nothing.

But, no, they are still not happy and want further reductions. I just wonder what the situation would have been with Labour in government when the price of oil went up. Would it have kept the price of fuel down anyway? If yes, how would it have subsidised it?

The same goes for its talk about reducing energy costs. We still need to know how it will be done – and time is running out.

* * *

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was in the news again this week. He was first quoted by MaltaToday as being “anxious” to have his call for the expulsion of Richard Cachia Caruana from the Nationalist Party discussed at the party’s executive meeting on 12 July. Later, however, we learnt that even before that story was published he had written to PN Executive President Marthese Portelli to tell her that he is as yet unprepared to face the situation and needs more time.

I would have imagined that someone making such serious allegations would be well prepared to substantiate them immediately.

On another note, JPO has asked why there are calls for his resignation because he voted with the Opposition, saying that by the same argument the 12 Nationalist MPs who voted against the introduction of a divorce law – after the people had voted yes in the referendum – should be expelled too.

I thought he was more intelligent than this – because on the divorce law Nationalist MPs had a free vote, whereas on the Richard Cachia Caruana motion (and the one on Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici) they did not and were expected to toe the party line.

It makes all the difference.

* * *

JPO has accused Richard Cachia Caruana of colluding with Labour, but it was JPO who voted with the PL in Parliament to bring down Malta’s Ambassador to the European Union. Now we learn that the Labour Party is providing JPO with security following what he says were “credible threats”.

Like I said last week, I wonder who is colluding with whom.

Having an MP who is being provided with security services offered by the opposing political party must be a first. Maybe the Guinness Book of Records should be consulted to check.

The more time that passes, the more JPO is sounding like Franco Debono. “Nothing can justify what we are being put through,” JPO told The Times. And, as I am writing this, an article has just appeared on The Times online in which Franco Debono says he was the “sacrificial lamb”.

Give me a break.

* * *

MHRA president Tony Zahra took offence some time ago when, during an edition of the Iswed fuq l-Abjad TV show I present, I remarked that the MHRA was often very negative in its comments.

Last Thursday, the MHRA issued a statement in which Mr Zahra is quoted as saying that the industry was pleased with the growth that was expected in the tourism sector this summer, in spite of the economic turmoil experienced in countries from where many of Malta’s tourists arrive.

So it’s time for me to raise my hat to Mr Zahra and the MHRA for being positive. Credit must be given where it’s due.

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