In the last few years, more than one former senior figure within the Malta Labour Party has been accusing the governing party of jettisoning core principles as party discontent continues to surface. Sure, the people at the helm of the Labour Movement keep on trying to brainwash us with that "passe'" cliche that this is a government that listens. But, in reality, to whom does it listen?
If we were to collectively analyse the public criticism of this Labour government by former ministers, high officials and militant activists within the Labour Movement, the one undeniable conclusion would be that the party's position in government amounts to a failure of leadership. For example, while we can be legitimately critical of former minister Evarist Bartolo for not pointing to an unholy alliance between construction magnates, criminally-tainted organisations and the government that accounted for so many political scandals and corruption, inflated house prices and growing inequality, at the same time, we cannot simply ignore or brush aside his constructive criticism of his former party once he came out into the open.
Other facts and circumstances can reveal how and why a number of activists have recently stepped away from the party, including former executive and policy branch members. Each in his or her own style, and for various reasons, they accuse the officials at the helm of having an autocratic style and complain that the party executive is not holding the caucus and leadership to account over policy decisions in government. Of course, and as was to be expected, those implicated officials have rejected the criticisms, maintaining that the party is democratic and making progressive changes in government.
Yet, then, how can one totally ignore such spot-on criticism based on factual reality as that of former prime minister and Labour leader Alfred Sant when, back in 2017, he had already opined that the Labour administration at the time had problems of governance that needed to be addressed? Not only were those problems never addressed, but the successive Labour government created even greater problems of governance.
Coupled with that, after Evarist Bartolo called it a day for his political career, he publicly came up with a plethora of missives critical of his recent party history and current Labour administration. Indeed, he went so far as to equate Robert Abela's administration as a 'rudderless ship'. He aptly described Malta as being held by a "half-hearted captain" with no alternative crew to take over the helm. His constructive criticism should provoke or cause someone to reflect on what he frequently and publicly says and writes. While major reforms undertaken by the Labour government cannot be ignored, Bartolo's and Sant's criticism should lead the Labour Party to do a lot of soul-searching.
We then had former Labour Party Balzan local councillor Desmond Zammit Marmarà being critical of the way the party is being run and warning that the PL is being ruined by "brainless idiots". The party, he contends, is being dominated by the "least intelligent" who are incapable of using any critical thinking and would resort to silencing any dissident opinions. He had noted that Labour intellectuals, whom he defined as "people who have brains and use them", are unhappy with the party and disagree with so many things; however, they would not go as far as voting against the party.
He further explained that such individuals would voice their dissent privately and would refrain from joining the pseudo-intellectuals who are ruining the party. Despite these feelings, this silent minority would not oppose the way the party is being run publicly, fearing they would fall out of favour. As for the rest, their only contribution to politics is simply repeating what they are presented with by the Labour media.
Instead of taking the cue, his party, through government MP Glenn Bedingfield, had taken issue with Zammit Marmara's criticism, hitting back by stating that the intellectuals, ostensibly including Zammit Marmara' himself, do not have a right to judge anyone.
And what about Xagħra mayor Christian Zammit, a PL candidate with strong environmental credentials who publicly stated that his party, both traditionally and ideologically, should be the party of the environment? He is one of many former Labour activists who believes that the PL needs people who criticise it internally, as he did on the environment, because the moment this ends, the party starts dying. He had to face factions of the Labour Party who saw him as outspoken and had a negative perception of him.
Yet, again, we had former Gżira Labour mayor Conrad Borg Manché hitting out at lawyer Ramona Attard in the saga to relocate a fuel station into Gżira Gardens. He, too, publicly expressed his astonishment at the lackeys who were ready to mock their own party colleagues simply to benefit themselves or some businessman. It is inconceivable that a socialist party does not give serious priority to the environment, and it is undoubtedly for that reason that Borg Manche' was removed from CEO of Ambjent Malta, because he was not wont to be a 'yes man'.
Borg Manche' had the unparalleled courage to question what party line should be toed in a socialist party if it is not fighting for open spaces for citizens and not showing the necessary spine and personality to serve the people.
The Labour Party in government must allow and accept internal criticism and disagreement on pressing issues that are of general public concern.
Dr Mark Said is a lawyer