It has not been a good summer for the Labour party. It is evident that the results of the European Parliament elections last June, have sent the party in Government into a tailspin which as things continue to proceed, is proving to be extremely hard to get out of.

The indomitable moviment has started to exhibit some serious cracks, as dissent is growing harder to control. It is no secret that the Labour party has always been characterised by a much greater degree of camaraderie. While Nationalists tend to air their discontent rather openly, much to the enthusiastic rubbing of hands of its critics, the Labour party is traditionally more successful in keeping its dirty laundry hidden from public view.

However, this has started to change with voices of criticism, some justified, and some blatantly complaining that they are not being treated specially enough, are getting louder. The Labour party has always been the party of you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours - somehow, this energy appears to be fizzling out.

Jason Micallef's declaration to contest the Deputy leadership for Party affairs immediately sent shivers down our collective spines. Quite obviously, the Prime Minister must have missed a heartbeat when he read that particular sanctimonious long-winded Facebook post - his open rain on Micallef's parade was quite embarrassing. Even Robert Abela knows that Micallef would be one uninterrupted source of irresponsible statements and out-of-place comments. The memes would have been precious though!

Instead, Abela rushed to fix that pesky detail in the party statute that stopped members of Parliament or MEPs from contesting the post, opening the door wide open for Alex Agius Saliba to run. The message was extremely clear, in fact he remained unchallenged.

Hence the line of succession has been established and the pact with the devil preserved. Just like the disgraced Joseph Muscat anointed Robert Abela in that surreal autumn of 2019, Robert Abela is now anointing Alex Agius Saliba, who makes no secret of his close friendship with both men.

Meanwhile, there's also the race for the Presidency of the Labour party, a rather ceremonial role which, however, could have its importance, depending on the incumbent. Norma Saliba, former PBS Head of News, and current head of the new Maltese language centre (which no one has yet understood what it's meant to be doing), has thrown her hat in the race. I wonder if Ms Saliba will have the stature to make the best out of the role. I personally wish her the best, as the years to come are not going to be of the plainest of sailing for the Labour party.

In my view, it is quite evident that the Labour party is in a deep retrenchment process. It is regrouping, and closing itself off, only letting in those it can trust blindly. Min mhux magħna kontra tagħna (Those who are not with us, are against us), the old adage goes.

Gone are the days of pretending to be an open party, that is happy to work with everyone. Gone are the days of being a hub for the moderate and the liberal! Those particular folk have been shown the door a long time ago! Now it's back to the deep red roots of fire and brimstone.

I sincerely hope that the Prime Minister will have the presence of mind not to run the country aground, while he will undoubtedly be putting out fires at home.

 

Julie Zahra is the Opposition's Shadow Minister for Cultural Heritage, Arts, and Culture