There's something about Labour

In the space of a week Muscat's Labour has reiterated its non-commitment on divorce, failed to present us with a solid shadow cabinet by separating the wheat from the chaff, failed to take a stand on the removal of junior lyceum exams and has expressed itself in a very crass way on a major foreign policy issue.

On divorce, it is true that Muscat has taken a personal stance in favour of divorce. But how can a self styled progressive party refrain from mobilising all its might to ensure that the yes prevails in the referendum? For non-commitment on divorce means that the party will not use its well-oiled electoral machine to campaign for a yes result.

Comparisons with the PN are futile. While what most liberals can expect from a traditionally conservative party like PN is non-engagement, a Labour party campaigning for a free vote in the referendum is tantamount to giving a free ride to the no campaign.

On education, Labour is right to insist that educational reforms need adequate resources and  funding. But that does not absolve Labour from stating where it stands on the removal of the Junior Lyceum exams (which removes a lot of pressure from kids) and the introduction of more inclusive educational colleges. After all, academics in the field concur that the rigid streaming in the state secondary sector was perpetuating social inequalities. From a left-wing perspective the reforms are a step in the right direction even if their success depends on decent funding.

Even internally Muscat sends mixed messages by failing to present an alternative Cabinet line-up. While everyone was kept happy with a post some were clearly given more meaningful positions while others were given superfluous positions. The careful balancing act says a lot about Muscat's ability to keep the party united while making it more effective. But still, by appointing 20 spokespersons  he failed to address the main concern of the public: what will Labour’s minister line-up be like?

But the cherry on the cake was the crass way the Labour leader expressed himself on events in North Africa. In the face of an epochal moment which sees one of the most corrupt and oppressive regimes clinging to power in the face of one of one of the most dramatic demonstrations of people's power since 1989, our Opposition leader laments the fact that the government has not unleashed a massive tourism publicity campaign with the intent to draw tourists to Malta, in the light of the on-going instability in North Africa.

This exposes a lack of political stature in the face of global events. For while there is nothing wrong in diverting tourists to Malta by advertising our wares, there is something farcical in a future Prime Minister ignoring the bigger picture of democracy coming to North Africa and talking about reaping short-term benefits.

This is Labour’s typical way of addressing the nation, as if it was talking to a nation of zombies whose world view is confined to what happens in the few square metres around them. It is the same when Labour ignores international factors like the hike in the price of fuel when it rightly lambastes government for lack of planning in the energy sector. It is this attitude which makes Labour look crass and a far cry from the alternative government we deserve.