Things are going bad for labour.  No sooner have they fronted one attack on their west flank, then another rises on the east.  The troops are getting weary and their General is hidden from sight.

The pressure is mounting by the day, if not by the hour. 

The brutal truth is that this is no longer just a matter concerning Malta, which can stay within the walls of Parliament or the next day’s print, but has reached such proportion that it has landed on the desks in Brussels and will be hard to avoid unless the EU wants to embarrass itself at this most vulnerable time with a possible Brexit looming over its shoulders. 

British “Leave” campaigners have caught on to the fact that many of their gripes about the EU  can be illustrated by referring to one or another of the latest corruption cases in Malta – they are spoilt for choice.  I don’t think David Cameron can be too happy with Joseph Muscat for providing so much fodder for the opposing camp. 

As one fox after another is caught raiding the chicken coop, word is out and about, that the farmer will soon set his trap.  Luckily for the fox, he saw that “When in trouble, realize
It is wise to compromise” and changed his ways.

But Labour’s foxes, seem to prefer sticking to their ways rather than saving their hides. This behaviour may suit them, but the chickens in the coop are not so easily fooled and will want assurances and protection from further attack.

Dr Muscat may think that he can come and go from the chicken coop as much as he likes without being caught but there is every indication now that Brussels are calling and good-will is now getting thin. 

It seems that everywhere there is some file or another on Malta that is a loaded gun, a potential embarrassment to the island itself or to the organisation of which we are a member and due to hold the Presidency in January 2017.

The sense of a disaster waiting to happen has sunk in and there cannot be enough amazement, in the corridors, at the audacity of Muscat in thinking that a wink here and a nod there is going to change the mind of the decision makers when it comes to protecting their own skin.

The decision about the Security of Supply Agreement for the ElectroGas power station project is still pending and likely to remain so until some very strange issues surrounding its political project manager are clarified.  Mizzi is likely to be invited to testify for himself on his Panama accounts, before the Inquiry Committee, set up to investigate.  By association, even the Hon. Minister for Finance has been caught in the fallout as fellow EU Ministers find it hard to reconcile the attitude of Prof. Scicluna with the case before him.  The same doubt is mounting before Leo Brincat as he awaits his grilling at the end of month.

The latest revelations concerning the designate head of the Central Bank of Malta are also building up towards another potential “clear your desk” situation. 

It is everywhere – from simple day to day good governance issues to problems that go beyond our shores and have serious consequences.

The mention of calling an early election has already been floated and it is likely to gather pace.  Not even the indomitable Yanis Varoufakis was spared being set aside for the good of the larger cause.  The PN opposition have also sacrificed themselves to accusations of “being negative” rather than be a part of the ensuing farce that is in front of them, as the Minister without Portofolio stands to present the Water Services estimates in Parliament. 

In the rush to avoid further humiliation, the LP elected a new Deputy Leader after Dr Konrad Mizzi was uninstalled.  Mr Cardona does not seem the type of person to have chosen such a position for himself.   His pastimes and his attitude reflect other life choices.  But not only does he have to assume the role of Deputy Leader, he also has to make the battle cry whilst building bridges.  A rather confusing role.  It is like he now has to be Muscat, Mizzi and Schembri all rolled into one whilst at the same time in old labour tradition, whipping off heads and being the bully.  It is a pity because he had the potential to be an open-minded Minister with new projects and ideas but has come under the thumb of the leadership in a way which removes his motivation and stamina.  When it is something imposed, not naturally desired, there will have to be plenty of carrots to make it happen.

As one bad case after another strikes Labour’s camp, not just ministerial but also those in Positions of Trust and their many associates, from drivers to consorts, it does look like things are coming apart quite badly for them.  Once Dr Muscat falls into the loose cannon category for Brussels – and there are several indications that he already has – there will be little mercy shown to him and the quicker the embarrassment and incompetency is removed, the better.  By now, it will also be clear that whatever confidence was shown on the Enemalta restructuring, the matter of democracy and poor governance cannot be ignored and overshadows any perceived success.

So much has been invested in Malta & Gozo and results meant that we were trusted and entrusted.  It must be quite a surprise for the world to see how we have thrown away that opportunity and become the black sheep of Europe.  When forming part of an Organisation, people may not always agree in their opinions but they take it for granted that the standards and values are common.  It has now become clear that this does not apply to Labour and that they have a code of their own, ultimately incompatible with democratic institutions.

Of course, this is very far from Dr Muscat’s mind or even Konrad Mizzi’s. as they continue to rake in the good times. 

All indications are it will be a very hot summer.