From here onwards

Following the past general election, I thought politics will change once and for all. However, after watching Alfred Sant on television, I concluded that Maltese politics will not change unless this person is disposed of.

He seems to enjoy having people calling out his name, asking him to retain the leadership of the party.

May 1 seemed like a day of celebration. The Nationalist Party celebrated a clear and absolute victory, both in the referendum and at the general election. The Labour Party also seemed to celebrate and yet, as I sat cool and relaxed on my sofa, sipping a glass of red wine, watching Dr Sant's speech, I pondered on Labour's defeat. I concluded I could not care less about it, but how could I ignore the MLP in a democracy?

One crucial reason was Dr Sant. How could I trust such a politician in the office of prime minister? For a mere 22 months we had already experienced him. The fact that Dr Sant only remained at Castille for such a short period of time is frankly his fault. Because of this fault Malta suffered a lack of confidence and credibility and rising unemployment.

Dr Sant's government lost power not because of some "Mintoff crisis" or obscure conspiracy, but because of a lack of statesmanship on behalf of the prime minister of the day. He could have easily solved the problem.

Dr Sant has been MLP leader for these past 11 years and the only success he achieved was the 1996 victory, which 22 months later was blackened by a staggering defeat and the party was further humiliated by the recent referendum and general election results.

Whether one agrees or not, it is the leader of a political party that keeps a party united and who plays a pivotal role when it comes to a party's chances of winning or losing at the pools. So, yes, I agreed with Dr Sant's original decision not to contest the leadership position. But this decision had to be adhered to till the very end and not for a mere two weeks.

Another reason why the MLP was defeated was because of its illogical and pathetic boycott of specific sectors of the media that tried to do their job to the best of their ability. Such a boycott must be removed at once if the party wants to be considered as an alternative government. For how can the electorate give an absolute majority to a party which, while still in opposition, was already boycotting the media?

They accuse Xarabank and Bondì+ with a hidden political agenda. Did Peppi Azzopardi not press the current prime minister for answers when he was judged as giving evasive replies? Should the prime minister therefore boycott Mr Azzopardi? But of course not, because this is what investigative journalism is all about. It is the duty of all journalists to ask pertinent questions and their right to have adequate and straight-to-the-point replies.

The MLP blamed the media as the major factor contributing to its electoral defeat. They claim the English language newspapers and even PBS were all out against them. I beg your pardon! Should not the media be allowed to take the course it deems most fitting and in line with its policies?

These were only a few of the reasons why the MLP suffered such an overwhelming defeat on April 12. I am sure there are many others: the daily programme by Manwel Cuschieri, the "partnership" option which was more of a wish list and websites such as that by NO2EU headed by Sharon Ellul Bonici who, wonder of wonders, is now interested in contesting the European parliament elections.

Soul searching must be a priority for the MLP now. The MLP delegates must ask themselves if they really want to win the next general election. They must be aware that only a party which is honest with its supporters is capable of winning the general election.

In the present circumstances they must advocate a renewed party with a clear vision of the future. The party leadership must seek convergence and consensus not confrontation. The people are fed up of confrontational politics. We are only interested in objective politics that attack the politicians' arguments and not the politicians themselves.

Our country is suffering serious problems that must be addressed now before it becomes too late. Otherwise they would resurface in the future when, perhaps, they would be even tougher to tackle. Such problems as "Mount Maghtab", public transport, social services, the environment, immediately come to mind. The government can only tackle these issues with the aid of a dynamic and objective opposition and through consultation with the constituted bodies.

I look forward to the day when the two major political leaders would congratulate each other for the problems they resolved to tackle via mutual cooperation. We must start looking at what is really in the nation's interests.

The European Union issue is now past and gone. We must now start looking ahead and work out together to reap the benefits that our European future may provide.

Members of parliament must start asking parliamentary questions on the government's commitment to the agreed policies of the Union. Questions like how a particular directive may be worked out and whom it is going to affect. Domestic political debate must advocate a move from insular issues towards continental ones. We must now look ahead and deeply analyse the changes that are taking place beyond our shores.

This is the only feasible way which the MLP should follow in order to start winning elections again. However, I am afraid that with Dr Sant still firmly holding the party's reigns, the vision of a united Maltese electorate is still bleak, let alone perceivable. I am sure that with Dr Sant's tight control on the party media and with the help of Mr Cuschieri et al, the MLP will again suffer another devastating defeat.

There are times of joy and happiness as much as times of sadness and reflection. This is certainly a period where the MLP must reflect on its future in the widest sense.

The PN must now deliver all the benefits of European Union membership. They must prove they were correct in their vision of a united electorate for a better and clearer Maltese role within the European Union.

The MLP must realise that confrontational politics will backfire once more. The time to settle accounts will come, sooner or later.

The author is a first year BA student in European studies