A moment of truth

The start of the EU parliamentary debate as reported in the media is already demonstrating that statements made are far from the truth.

Mainly such statements are made by the MLP speakers.

George Vella, MLP foreign affairs spokesman, said it was unjust that the proposed wording for the referendum question only asks the electorate for approval of the government stand on EU and nowhere is the opposition's position presented.

Truth is that when negotiations were in earnest, especially after 1998 and when MEUSEC was formed, the opposition never took part in this consultation mechanism, which could have been a platform for the MLP to express and perhaps indirectly negotiate its political position on the EU.

As some of its own founders and past leaders say, the MLP present leadership's position on the EU, has opted not to shoulder its responsibility to the nation.

How can such a stance be put in words and the electorate questioned on it? What would be the achievement of such an MLP stand, against the package that the present administration managed to achieve?

Whatever the MLP would like us to believe, the party's position of "partnership" means nothing. It is similar to the pre-1996 MLP stand on VAT. Everybody still remembers what followed, with the big bang of an MLP political somersault coming just a few days ago!

MLP spokesmen and other anti-EU movements, quote the constitution to limit the right of the citizen in his choice for the future.

In this case, it is strange how the opposition wants to be flexible to provide solutions to industry's malaise but is so firm against the citizens' aspirations, which, after all, might decide to follow the MLP's unrealistic "partnership" option.

Actually, this is one main reason why I will vote for Malta joining the EU.

This undemocratic stand by the MLP is a remnant of the past when, on the pretext of the constitution, the people were denied their choice of government.

This is a moment of truth that every Maltese has to take up and, after examining facts, decide in his/her conscience.