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Sunday, March 24, 2013

A huge electoral majority already seems to have gone to the Labour Partys head, as it makes one appointment after another

that flies in the face of its Malta taghna ilkoll rallying call.

For years it has accused the Nationalist Party of arrogance. Yet that is precisely what it is displaying in its most extreme form.

Though never forgivable, the PN was at least in government for many years before the accusation was levelled. The PL has

been there but two short weeks.

On day one Joseph Muscats administration mishandled the appointment of the civil service head, effectively sacking Godwin

Grima and replacing him with a militant figure, before unceremoniously asking for the resignations of all permanent secretaries.

Things have not improved since.

Labours former president, Mario Vella, is apparently heading Malta Enterprise and taking decisions without having been given

any formal appointment of sorts, while it emerged in the past few days that James Piscopo, the PLs former CEO, is the latest

Labour official to be given a job this time at Transport Malta

The Labour Government, it seems, does not feel the need to go through the formalities of issuing a call for an executive position

of this nature. It may argue that in certain instances the PN had done the same. But this would be to ignore the scathing

criticism that came in those days from its amrun headquarters and Dr Muscats repeated call that Malta under him would beinclusive.

On the evidence so far, it is more akin to an exclusive club - quite irrespective of whether the candidates it has selected are

suitable for the posts or not.

It is quickly emerging that the large electoral majority coupled with the state of shock and disarray within the Nationalist Party

has given Labour licence to run riot in the public sector. If not checked quickly, this could well become a malignant disease.

There are further troubling rumblings coming from various quarters, not least the PLs former general secretary Jason Micallef

who, after failing to get elected, has launched a less than veiled campaign on social media to land the CEOs job at PBS.

If Labour is more true to its word than it has displayed so far, the last thing it would do is allow someone so divisive anywhere

near the State broadcaster. Instead, all the Governments efforts should be to take any political sting out rather than putting it in.

The big question is, for how long the PN will remain an impotent Opposition? That largely depends on how it conducts itself.

The initial signs are not encouraging, as the party has split into factions spouting bile and hate at one another not to mention

at media like ourselves and those associated with us.

Just so those taken in by the lying rumour mongerers are set straight once and for all: We are not indebted (in either sense) to

the owner of the company that has supplied us with print machinery and paper (who is now Dr Muscats chief of staff), though

we cannot vouch for other clients which include the PN; and no shareholder of our parent company this includes members of

the Strickland Foundation whether they are involved in politics or not has any say in editorial decisions at this media

organisation, which Mabel Strickland had laid down should be taken solely by the editor.

The longer it takes for the PN to stop searching for scapegoats, understand the real reasons for its defeat and move on as a

united party, the longer the PL will have a free rein, or reign. That is in no ones interest but Labours.

Labour rules, ok?

10 Comments

Charles MassaMar 25th, 23:06

Allura x tippretendu jibqu l istess nies. Il poplu ivvota ghal bidla u hekk ghandu jsir. Certu nies ilhom fl istess kariga ghal 25 sena. Daqqa tarhom

chairman f post u wara xi sena tarhom kariga ta kumpanija ohra qishom qieghed jilghabu musical chairs.

P SciberrasMar 25th, 17:06

The PN had been in government for nearly 25 years. Before already complaining about the PL performance after only two weeks,why not give him a

chance first and in the meantime go back to those nearly 25 years and provide us with some interesting reading about those scandals committed during

these 25 years.I am sure you do have them in your archives.

our rules, ok? - timesofmalta.com http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130324/editorial/Labour...

2 31/03/201319:37

7/28/2019 Labour Rules OK_24MAR2013

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Copyright Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on - 31-03-2013 - This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributedDavid BezzinaMar 25th, 13:12

The PL is within his rights to appoint people that are capable and trusted by the new administration.After all,that is what has been happening these last

25 years even when these were not worthy and capable of their appointment.These appointees should be judged on their performance and not their

political leanings and only time will give us the answer.

Carmel Camilleri

Mar 25th, 16:35

So Labour mislead the electorate when it's poster said Malta Taghna lkoll. Perhaps it made a mistake. It should have read Malta Taghna Biss.

John AzzopoardiMar 25th, 00:54

Right on...........and many floating voters who voted for change are probably wondering what they have done. . And Malta's shortcomings are still to

come. But let us give the PL time to govern first.

Eddy PriviteraMar 24th, 20:20

Do you really expect that top executive jobs continue to be held by PN politically appointed people , after all these years of PN rule ? Surely such jobsshould be given to COMPETENT PEOPLE, but who share the PL government's commitment and policies. After all, people have voted for a change,

haven't they ?

Carmel Serracino-inglottMar 25th, 15:45

The crux is that no one but JM promised transparent moves and that posts will be filled after call for applications. Where is the transperancy?

Where are the calls.? People have been cheated ( not I) for I know labour.

Carmel CamilleriMar 25th, 16:33

Eddy you have a changed role now. You used to continuously hammer the Nationalist's Government day in and out. Now your job is to defend

the Labour Government at all cost' At least you did not find yourself jobless with the change of Government.

Eddy PriviteraMar 25th, 20:53

Carmel Serracino Ingott: wher elese in the world,say, a prime minister issues a call for applications for the post of his personal secretary, his

Chief of Staff and members of his secretariat ??????The same for ministers and parliamentary secretaries !

Ronald CauchiMar 24th, 20:17

While an arrogant government does not excuse arrogance in the one that follows, it seems strange that this did not bother the editor of the Times over

the last 20 years.The least the Times could have done was give the new government the customery100 day honeymoon before it starts nit-picking over

every trivial action .

our rules, ok? - timesofmalta.com http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130324/editorial/Labour...

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