Editorial • 16 March 2003

Alfred Sant emulating the ‘bad’ Borg Olivier

The 1956 referendum on integration with the UK, captained by the Labour party and Dom Mintoff, saw an overwhelming 70 per cent of the voting electorate choose integration.

It took little to no time for George Borg Olivier, the leader of the Nationalist party, to claim the referendum was a farce and not binding. His argument was that only 60 per cent chose to vote. If it all sounds too familiar, it is. Borg Olivier was not only anti-democratic but opportunistic and unfair.

Alfred Sant has repeated what Borg Olivier did before him only he went one better by claiming victory. His analysis of the referendum result has been actively supported by new found apologists, who years back had scolded the man for his bizarre politics.

Malta is a strange place, but we get what we deserve. In 1956, Borg Oliver, lauded as a bright politician, was far from the democrat we picture him to be, and in 2003, Alfred Sant has more than emulated Borg Olivier,

Malta is a complex hole of hypocrisy and inconsistencies.

It is Europe we want to become part of, not an extended Imperium of either the Nationalist or Labour party.

With much dexterity, Labour leader Alfred Sant has taken the wind out of the sails of the ‘yes’ movement.

He has succeeded in rallying his party round him and taken Labour morale to new heights.

We do not share the enthusiasm of the ‘yes’ movement. We are concerned with the close call the next election offers for our future.

The referendum was indeed a time waster. It only served to confirm our worst fears, that Malta is still a mediocre place attaining full marks in democratic deficit thanks to Alfred Sant’s simple maths.

It is a shame that no one in Labour’s fold had the gall to stand up and be counted. Even stalwarts like former Labour deputy Leader and europhile George Abela, who everyone expects will move back in to Labour’s fold, have not found the courage to speak their mind.

It goes to prove that before principles; politics and power or prestige are infinitely more supreme.

Next April 12, the people have a choice, the choice is not only about Europe, it is about democracy and pluralism.

This newspaper has taken a very clear stand on Europe. It has stated it will support a move towards European Union integration. However, at no point did we say we would support integration at the expense of limiting our democracy.

If the Nationalist party believes that it can go it alone, then so be it.

This newspaper, however limited in its influence, refuses to paint a surreal picture of democratic pluralism in Malta. In one of his camera appearances on national TV, Dr Sant talked of gate keeping in the media.

He argued the media selected and siphoned what was suitable for it and what was unsuitable for others. This editorial does not suit the PN and MLP media stratagems and will be ignored or censored.

A surer case of political party gate keeping.