The issue of voting rights for migrants resurfaced last week when my report on a Common Immigration Policy for the European Union was adopted by a large majority in the European Parliament.
It all started on March 31 when the Civil Liberties Committee was voting on 234 amendments that were tabled to my report. During this vote, I successfully resisted a number of amendments that I opposed, such as the weakening or the removal of references to repatriation, detention and cooperation with third countries.
On voting rights for migrants I also successfully resisted an amendment tabled by the Socialists, which called for access to social rights (including housing) along with political rights (the right of long-term residents to vote in local elections). This reference was rejected.
Nevertheless, a majority composed of Socialists, Greens, Communists and Liberals prevailed on another amendment, albeit a milder wording, which still called for immigrants to be given "the opportunity to vote in local elections".
Now we all know that this issue is politically very controversial and, for some of us, it crosses the red line. This reference complicated matters unnecessarily and sowed political controversy when unity of cause on a common immigration policy was by far preferable.
It is for this reason that when the entire report came up for adoption in plenary last week, I tabled two reports and not one. The first was an "alternative report", which removed the reference to voting rights, and the second was the report as adopted in the committee, that is, including this reference.
Over the past month, I worked relentlessly to seek a compromise on this issue with the other political groups that everyone could live with. Regrettably, however, the Socialists refused to compromise and voted against the alternative report, which was therefore rejected. On the other hand, the original report was adopted overwhelmingly.
It has to be said that all four Maltese MEPs present for the vote (two PN, two PL) voted together in favour of both reports. Nevertheless, this incident exposes serious contradictions in the track record of Maltese Labour MEPs.
The first is that the Labour delegation proved unable to persuade its own Socialist group to support the alternative report without a reference to voting rights. Had they done so, the alternative report would have been approved. In contrast, I secured the support of my group.
Now let us not forget that MEPs are not simply elected to cast their own single vote one way or another. That would be all too easy. They are also elected to persuade their own political group on crucial issues. Their ability or inability to do so makes the difference between MEPs who are effective and others who are not.
The second is the stark contrast between Labour's macho attitude on immigration in Malta and the pro-immigration agenda of their own Socialist group in Brussels. In Malta, the PL shuns immigration and plays the veto card whereas in Brussels the Socialists play a different tune and go as far as wanting to grant migrants voting rights.
Thirdly, even on the very issue of voting rights for migrants, the track record of the Labour MEPs is anything but consistent. A look at the table clearly shows how, on four different occasions, Labour MEPs voted in four different ways on the same issue. It seems incredible but, unfortunately, it is true. Last week they voted against. But on other occasions they abstained or even voted in favour. And last September they did not cast their vote despite being present in plenary - clearly refusing to stand up to be counted.
Except for last week, all occasions took place when the current Labour leader was still an MEP. This means that the Labour leader's rhetoric on immigration does not match his own voting record. Quite the opposite.
It is important for voters to know about these contradictions when, on June 6, they decide who is best suited to represent their interests in the European Parliament.
To Ask Your MEP go to www.simonbusuttil.eu. Support the Stop The Dust campaign on www.stopthedust.org.
Dr Busuttil is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.