Memory Lane 25/08/2002

Talking to Salvu Sant

Salvu Sant’s involvement in politics lasted many years, and although he only spent 10 years as a Member of Parliament his political know-how is second to none. A very well known MP he experienced life both in opposition and in government.
"I remember the old days which were very hard for everyone, especially in the sixties. It was difficult back then but I believe that there was more sincerity and everyone knew where they stood.
"I've been a member of the MLP Executive since 1956, and was always present in official meetings, in fact I am still attending meetings of the executive, " Salvu Sant started off.
"I still follow politics thanks to the news and media, I love watching local and foreign news, in fact I am a fan of Sky News and Euro News. I also buy newspapers to keep up to date with what is happening in today's world."
Today Mr Sant, at sixty-six years of age, has more time to spend with his family. He vividly remembers the days when the MLP had asked him to stand for election with the party in 1962, during the MLP-Church war.
"I was never eager to contest the elections because I always considered myself as a vital part of the team. In the party, where I worked for years, I was considered to be, like some others, the engine room of the team. In fact I occupied various positions within the party, dealing with party propaganda, acting as party secretary and as president of the MLP. I was also responsible in 1955 for starting off the Labour League of Youth," he explained.
"I was also deputy chairman of the Dockyard at one time. In fact I worked at the Dockyard for 46 years. I was always a bit naïve regarding contesting or occupying certain positions in the party. I always wanted to help but I did not want to apologise for being what I was. What I certainly did not like was fishing for votes!
"I got elected in the 1987 and 1992 elections. I contested the 1987 elections because there was an internal rift and I had to stand instead of my brother Lorry. Naturally I could not refuse: my main aim was always to keep the party's engine running smoothly. Not that I was not satisfied with my political career (in parliament) but being out of parliament suits me fine," he said.
Speaking again about the sixties and seventies, he added that during those days times were rather hard. He remembers vividly going abroad to places like Egypt, Ghana, Cyprus and Libya. The party used to get invitations for one person to attend meetings in those countries. Obviously as a delegation there used to be more than one of us, so we used to pay the flight ticket and hotel out of our own pocket. That was during the Mintoff days where all you ever gained in politics you had to work hard for.
When asked if anything has changed in politics when compared with the past he said. "Before we used to fight more. Parliament was more noisy but I feel that in the end we used to work better. We used to go and drink a bottle of beer afterwards.
"Now it looks different.... I'm not saying that there are no MP's today who are working for their country. On the contrary I believe that both parties have valid people who want the country to move forward.
"I think that our electoral system makes people more individualistic than other countries. I am not stating that these things do not happen in Europe or the USA but the election system in Malta makes this happen more freely.
"It is not nice to fight it out against your colleague during the election. The English system is different and you will only fight your opponents although there is also a fight within the party to be chosen as a candidate in a particular district.
"We need to preserve our independence because we are surely capable of managing the country very well without giving all to the foreigners. We must see that bad habits that we have imported from other countries will be eradicated," concluded Mr Sant.

Salvu Sant was talking to Ray Abdilla