On family, hunting and backbenching

Following in the footsteps of his father, Nationalist MP Tony Abela loves politics although he stresses that his family comes first. Today he speaks to KURT SANSONE about his beginnings, his ambitions, hunting and the European Union

Nationalist MP Tony Abela’s appearance and emotive style may be deceiving. The burly notary is a good-natured person, and for a man who prefers to be on a first-name basis with everybody, calling him Dr Abela or Onorevoli is a no-go area.

I met Tony at his office in Rabat, the hometown to which he owes his seat in parliament. "My father was an MP between 1962 and 1977 representing the Rabat district," he starts. "I owe my beginning in politics to him, I suppose it just rubbed off," he continues.

Tony’s father died in 1977 and it was only natural for him to take over the political crown. Tony contested his first election on behalf of the Nationalist Party in 1981 and despite not getting elected he mustered a creditable 962 first count votes. He admits that the result was mostly due to his late father’s influence.

But 1981 was a turbulent year to start a political career. He explains the situation, "I got married in 1979 and some months before the 1981 election we had our first daughter. Work was rather sluggish and the situation was volatile because we had a party that was elected to govern without an electoral majority because of a lacuna in the constitution."

With hindsight he feels lucky that the political problems were toned down in his Rabat hometown. Tony explains, "Between 1981 and 1987 the local football team was passing through its best patch in history, winning the league more than once. I was president of the club and we made it a point to keep politics out of the club. I must admit that football managed to unite the whole locality irrespective of political beliefs."

Nonetheless, as a politician Tony’s concern was not just his hometown. "The situation in the country was bad," he explains.

On to present times and I ask Tony to tell me why the people should hand the Nationalist Party another victory at the polls in the forthcoming general election.

"I believe that the Nationalist Party will win the next election for a number of reasons. Firstly, despite the 11 September events and increased competition brought about by globalisation the Nationalist Party has shown that it has a vision. We have listened to people and given them a vision."

He then showers praise on Eddie Fenech Adami. "He has been a father to this nation and not only a leader. Eddie has always taken decisions in the best national interest even if it means being criticised by his own people."

Tony explains that what most PN activists fear about the Prime Minister is that if need be Eddie Fenech Adami will take difficult decisions, which could be potential vote-losers, even on the eve of a general election.

"The third reason is the European Union. I have made it in life but the question I ask is what is the future I want for my children. The answer is simple, I want my children to grow up in a country that is part of a larger block that can offer educational opportunities, security and well-being."

I broach the subject of the EU referendum. "Till now the Prime Minister has given indications that the referendum will be held separately from a general election. I believe that a political choice independent from an election gives people the liberty to decide their own future independent of their political beliefs. If we accept the principle that the people are sovereign then the referendum result should be respected by everybody," he says.

Tony believes that at the end of the day if the referendum result yields a substantial ‘yes’ vote the Labour Party will have to react to the result. I ask him to expand.

"In politics a day is too long and people in the Labour Party have their children’s future to think about as well. I am not 100 per cent convinced that the MLP will not change its stance on the EU."

He insists that Malta would carry more weight inside the EU rather than outside. "What is the difference between me forming part of the parliamentary group and being out of it? Being part of it gives me the right to express my opinion and possibly influence decisions, small as my contribution may be. But from the outside my influence is very much diminished," he explains with gusto.

Tony hails from a locality where a large majority of people are hunters or farmers, two sectors, which are likely to suffer if Malta joins the EU.

"The fear is a result of the misinformation that people are being fed by the Labour Party. If politicians act fairly and give people the chance to wait for the negotiated package things would be much clearer," he explains. “After all hunting does exist in other countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal and Britain.

"The Nationalist Party does not want to abolish hunting but on the other hand it cannot be allowed to go unchecked. Incidents such as the killing of the swans at Marsaskala damage the reputation of bona fide hunters. How long the hunting tradition persists and what form it will take is totally dependent on us Maltese."

I shoot back, no pun intended, that a veritable problem does exist with spring shooting, which is not allowed under the Birds Directive. But Tony does not back down on his argument.

"During the negotiating process Malta has obtained arrangements, which were previously thought impossible to achieve. The special arrangements obtained in the free movement of workers and the purchase of property by foreigners as well as the recognition of Maltese as an EU official language, were deemed impossible to achieve. I do not believe that the EU will consider hunting to be a major stumbling block to membership. It is an insignificant issue when compared to the vastness of the EU project. It is not a decisive factor despite the scare campaign made by the Labour Party."

But do his hunter constituents threaten him with their vote?

"It is fashionable now for people to threaten politicians with their vote on anything that may crop up. I have had constituents doing the same over a spent light bulb in their street. I believe that this is petty. It is a big mistake for people not to vote in an election."

Tony knows too well that there are some issues that are difficult to tackle especially if the major political parties do not pull the same rope. "I believe that this country needs a national government for 10 years to take the hard decisions that need to be taken and bring the country to its feet without the fear of losing votes."

I ask Tony to pinpoint any failings of the current administration. "The government has not failed in any sector, I just believe that we have not done enough in some areas," he says.

The lethargy in some government departments is of prime concern. Tony quotes an example of a couple, who applied with the Joint Office to redeem their emphytheusis. "Five years down the line and the couple are still waiting for a reply. This is unacceptable in this day and age."

Another concern for Tony is the care for the growing elderly population. "Despite the amount of work that has been done in this sector more still has to be done to put people’s minds at rest that on reaching retirement age they will be able to obtain the right care in comfortable surroundings."

Tony points out that the post-war baby boomers will start reaching retirement age within the next few years putting additional strain on health services.

A third major concern is the environment. "The environment ministry is the most important ministry of all in my view," he stresses, adding, "the state of the environment impinges on our health, economy and social life making it a top priority for any administration." Tony believes that the sector is so important that enough can never be done to tackle the issues at stake.

I ask Tony about his life as a backbencher and whether he holds any ambition to hold a position of authority. "Every MP has an ambition to move forward. Until the next election I have no ambition but after the election, if the Nationalist Party is returned to government, I hope that I would be offered the challenge."

Tony explains that a backbencher’s worth is determined by how much work he puts into the job. And he is definitely not of the sitting pretty variety. Tony is the chairman of the parliamentary law enactment committee and a member of the parliamentary joint committee between Malta and the EU.

I bring up the leadership issue and ask him to describe his relationship with Lawrence Gonzi and John Dalli, who appear to be the two major contenders. Diplomatically, Tony clarifies that there is no leadership contest at the moment and that they may not be the only two contestants. He then answers my question, "I have a good relationship with both Lawrence and John because they are the type that give you space to work."

I ask him whether after the next election the Prime Minister should consider leaving the scene. "I feel that after the election Eddie Fenech Adami needs to consider this issue because the party has to continually re-invent itself. Whether this occurs a year or two years after the election is irrelevant."

Tony adds that when the time comes the party will have to take a considered decision rather than an emotive one and it should be based on the requirements dictated by the circumstances Malta will be in at the time.

The notary adds that despite his love for politics his top most priority is his family. "I will never put politics above my family. My wife is my best friend and we have gone through our ups and downs together," he says.

I wonder whether he agrees with divorce.

"I don’t agree with divorce and this is primarily because of my religious beliefs," he answers. Tony explains that if the country opens its doors to divorce the problem of broken families will only increase. "Divorce gives an easy way out to problems," he says.

Tony admits that there are a number of pitiful cases but, he adds, these are the exception not the rule. "I might be reasoning this way because I have had a stable marriage. I know that such things can occur and they might even possibly afflict people very close to me. It may be that in the future I might change my point of view but today I am steadfast in my beliefs."

He brings up the issue of inheritance between married couples, an issue he is quite vocal about. "I cannot agree with the way our laws are structured, which do not permit a married person to transfer all his or her wealth to the spouse on death. The current situation is ridiculous because my wife would only inherit one fourth of my estate even if I would want her to inherit everything."

I finally put the question that I have been dying to ask. Has he had any mix-ups with Toni Abela the former MLP heavyweight of CNI fame, who also lives in Rabat?

Tony laughs and admits that the men’s similar names have created the occasional mix-up such as a wedding invite reaching the wrong Tony. But the two are best of friends despite hailing from different political backgrounds. "Our relationship is above politics. Funnily enough we are also similar in character, very emotive and being all bark and no bite," he adds with a telling grin.