Editorial

Just as the two new deputy leaders of the Malta Labour Party are doing their best to give the party a new image, the party's own vigilance board has fired a shot that is bound to put the MLP in a bad light for more than one reason. The shot came in the shape of a warning which the board gave to Alfred Mifsud, one of the most moderate Labour people and a sharp analyst of the party's own policies and moves. He has now decided to quit the party.

The warning came as a surprise and a shock to that growing segment of MLP people who wish to see their party wriggle itself out of the cocoon it had put itself into over the past years. It has also coincided with a sensitive period for the party, a time when one former party leader, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, is strongly attacking the new EU policy being adopted by the party after last April's general election.

Although Dr Mifsud Bonnici is considered as belonging to the past, he can still be, as he is in fact proving himself to be, a thorn in the Labour triumvirate's side. So, it is no wonder that Labour people who truly want to see their party rejuvenating itself, feel confused over what is happening inside the party and the way it is paddling its boat.

What had been regarded by a good number of people as a politician who could well play a leading role in the MLP is now being ostrasised in no uncertain manner. The process started well before the election and has now picked up speed with the warning which the party's vigilance board dished out to him last week. This is at least how the moves are being politically interpreted.

Mr Mifsud was told by the party's vigilance board that action would be taken against him unless he stopped "harming" the party through his writings. Harming the party through his writings?! What is this? Does not this reflect very badly of a party that is working towards making itself electable again? How can it project itself as a modern party if it gags those within its own ranks who feel they ought to criticise their own party's policies or strategies?

After rounding up Mr Mifsud, does it now plan to go after all the Anna Mallias and the Karmenu Mifsud Bonnicis as well? What is this witchhunt for?

Whether the vigilance board's action was taken on its own steam or not is quite irrelevant to the argument at this point in time. The move reflects badly, very badly, on the whole party. Party loyalty is one thing, enforcing total conformity is quite another.

The Alfred Mifsuds of this world are not going to feel deterred by such antics. And this is not being said in defence of Mr Mifsud; surely he can do that himself well enough. But it would indeed be a pity if the MLP were to fritter away its time and energy on such witchhunts.

If the party wants to win back credibility, it would need to become more open, more receptive to the aspirations of its own members. Ostrasising or gagging people who do have a contribution to make to the growth of their own party but who are strong enough to feel they ought to speak their mind will not help the party consolidate its base at all. The contrary is the case.