Labour's European convenience

Now that the battle lines are being drawn for the June ballot for the European parliament, the Nationalist Party and their cohorts are spinning the yarn that Labour has not changed what they called its anti-European psyche. These contend that Labour's conversion to Europe is merely a ruse to bring back to the fold the pro-European Labour vote, thus only politics of convenience rather than conviction.

What is striking in all this is that we are being led to believe that it is a novelty that a political party adjusts its policy according to new circumstances. Was it so long ago that the PN was against the vote for women? Was it so long ago that they were against the welfare state? Indeed, was it so long ago that they promised to abolish income tax? Should we mention what they wanted to do with Muammar Gaddafi?

Now they would like to portray themselves as champions of women's rights, defenders of the welfare system, the most efficient tax collectors in the universe and bosom friends with Col. Gaddafi.

So, the Nationalists have made quite a few about-turns and their track record is not so linear as they would have us believe. Of course, in their defence of these about-turns they would say that times have changed and, thus, politics has to be adjusted to meet the new circumstances and challenges of the present.

History has shown that ideology and dogma have no place in today's politics. Indeed, the world is volatile and change occurs so rapidly that modern political acumen is based on pragmatism and how well politicians are able to read the signs of the times. In modern democracies, though, political values and principles do not change political strategy and tactics have to be fine-tuned to meet the social realities of the present.

With regard to Europe, this is what the MLP has done. It proposed a policy and stuck to it; unfortunately the people rejected it. The MLP took cognisance of the fact and started an internal discussion on how to adjust to the new reality of Malta forming part of the European Union. The party could have chosen to stick to its guns, thus fossilising itself and giving the Nationalists the golden opportunity to blame all its failings on Labour's hard-headed persistence in hindering Malta's integration in Europe.

Instead, Labour decided to accept the will of the people and operate in the new environment, knowing, full well that there is no turning back. So, whether the PN likes it or not, the MLP will play its full part in Europe.

Of course, this is worrying the Nationalists because the European question is settled and they cannot use it anymore to blur the political scene. Now that we have all agreed that our future is within the European Union we will go back to more mundane politics and settle the real and urgent issues facing our country.

Unfortunately, the Maltese people are realising that the new spring is really a winter of financial and economic crises of ever increasing unemployment and the systematic eroding of our welfare state. In this respect, the MLP cannot abdicate its duty towards the people and will do its utmost to lift Malta from the precipice it has fallen into.

It can be guaranteed that no European stars will dazzle the MLP representatives in the European parliament. They know that their duty is to exploit every opportunity possible to bring work and investment to Malta.

For the MLP, Europe is not a convenience but a new reality. Be it in Malta, be it in Europe, the MLP will endeavour to work in the best interest of the Maltese people.

Mr Bedingfield will contest the June European parliament elections on behalf of the Labour Party.