EU question will haunt Leader of the Opposition

In his latest contribution, Kenneth Zammit Tabona wrote that we should accept the belated EU conversion of Joseph Muscat and leave it at that.

This question, as well as that concerning the euro, cannot be treated as if it was a simple decision of being, say, in favour or against hunting. Had we followed what Dr Muscat was strongly advocating - remember his TV programmes Made in Brussels? - and not joined the EU, we would now be experimenting with the "partnership" proposal.

The EU was the single most important decision Malta had to take since Independence, and it is vital to analyse how Dr Muscat decided to take a stand against joining. Only then can one gauge the quality of judgment the person possesses. And if Dr Muscat got it so wrong on such a vital issue, is it possible to trust his judgment on less vital ones?

I agree with Mr Zammit Tabona that the PN's long stint in government is unhealthy. To conclude, however, that any change is welcome displays a shallow level of reasoning. The argument in favour of jumping from the known into the unknown, just for the sake of jumping, is a highly dubious one.

There were other Socialists who on evaluating the option available to Malta concluded that the EU presented a better one. Not so Dr Muscat. Rather than sweeping the whole EU issue under the carpet, as no doubt he would like to do, it would be fruitful for him to tell us how the "partnership" proposal was superior to joining the EU. Unless he does that, the EU issue will haunt him, whether Mr Zammit Tabona likes it or not. When one compares Dr Muscat's stint as MEP to that of Simon Busuttil, one cannot help but notice the gulf that exists between them. Whereas Dr Busuttil was willing to go against his party on issues that he thought adversely affected the voters he represented, Dr Muscat always toed the party line.

Moreover, as party leader, Dr Muscat imposed a hefty fine on MEPs who do not toe the party line. Is Mr Zammit Tabona comfortable with that? Judgment, unlike political sparring, is something you either have or you don't have. You do not pick it up as you go along.