Editorial

When Parliament ratified the European Constitution, there were some who trumpeted the idea that the move represented a breakthrough in the way we do politics in Malta. These felt that the consensus over the ratification paved the way for a new beginning. If only this were the case! But, unfortunately, it does not look like it is. All the indications suggest that the move is not expected to make any difference to the way the island has been conducting its political affairs.

It is no surprise either that former Labour stalwarts, who for one reason or another are now out of the party's direct orbit, have pondered in bewilderment at the way the Labour Party has managed to wriggle out of the straitjacket it had put itself in when it so steadfastly fought against EU membership. The problem is that it has not done so unharmed. Indeed, however much Alfred Sant is keen to get the issue out of the way, his party's policy change on EU-Malta relations is far too big to be easily swept under the carpet or wiped out of the electorate's memory.

In fact, getting the issue out of the way in order to improve the party's chances at the next general election within three years' time is seen by most analysts as the only motive that made the MLP accept what it had derided for so long before the 2003 referendum on membership.

The party's general conference has gone along with the wishes of the party's leadership and MPs but, even though one supposes that the delegates' deliberations generally reflect the wishes of the party supporters, in this case it is difficult, if not impossible, to come to a definite conclusion about this. How do the thousands of other party supporters feel about the change in policy?

Ultimately only the outcome of the next election would show whether or not the mass of the Labour supporters would have overcome the trauma by then. The likelihood is that they will, or if they will not, they would at least close one eye in preference to seeing their party returning to power after so many years in opposition.

In a newspaper interview last month, Dr Sant was quoted saying: "Best get the whole matter out of the way now and then go back to the bread-and-butter issues that rack the future of this country". As if European Union membership does not involve bread-and-butter issues!

The irony is that the party leader still believes their "partnership" proposal was the best for Malta. He does so even when his "Switzerland in the Mediterranean" dream was considered by the electorate in the 2003 referendum as having been precisely that, a dream. But Dr Sant would not listen and, ignoring the people's verdict in the referendum, buried his head in the sand and led his party to another electoral defeat.

In the eyes of many, this was a defeat that might have been avoided had the party leadership been smart enough to respect the will of the majority at the right time, that is, before the subsequent general election, which, many hold - not without good reason - the MLP could have won.

No wonder then that so many within the MLP, and even within the Socialist Group, have felt so confused about the party's thinking and strategy since then. But at least, with their yes to the ratification of the treaty, the confusion should be over now.