News • October 12 2003

Keith Grech

What new ideas, or strategies would you like to bring to the position?
In this role, if elected, it is my determination to work so that in the shortest period of time possible, this country will once again have a Labour administration. An administration which, I believe, is the only one that can address the very serious problems which are plaguing this country, and which have been allowed to fester for far too long by the present Nationalist government.
In view of this, I am putting forward a vision, based on three important premisis, for the consideration of the Party Delegates.
First, that the MLP needs to shed its reactive mode, and once again transform itself into a Party that comes forward with new and innovative ideas. In this way, I believe, we will be denying our political opponents the strategic advantage which they have been enjoying for too long of dictating the political agenda in this country.
Secondly, that the MLP, as an organisation, must be structured and operated in ways that make sense in the political realities of today. In this respect, special consideration must be given to the Party finances, and to ensuring that the various commercial interests of the Party are run in a profitable manner.
Thirdly, a realisation that if the MLP wants to enjoy the popular support of the majority of the Maltese electorate, it is imperative that all those who share with us the willingness to work in the interests of the workers and are ready to do so within the framework and according to the rules of a political organisation, should be able to find their natural home within the MLP.
How should the Labour Party face the coming years?
The coming years will be crucial for Malta’s long-term success. Unless the national problems, which the Nationalist Party in government has, by its characteristic inaction, allowed to grow into crisis proportions, are immediately tackled, the future can indeed be a bleak one for us all.
The MLP, as a serious Party, in accordance with its underlying principles and beliefs of working in the best interests of the country at large and the workers in particular, must also continue to do its part towards achieving such a goal by working as a constructive Opposition.
At the same time, as a political organisation, the MLP must continue to take on board organisational methods that make sense in the political environment of today, using all the tools at its disposal to bring about the necessary internal changes thereby transforming the Party into an efficient and effective organisation.
Why, in your opinion, did the Labour Party lose the last election?
As is the case with any electoral defeat, the MLP has lost due to either of two factors, namely a failure in content or delivery. As regards the first, it is possible that the Party failed to take on board the signals being sent to it by the electorate, thereby ultimately putting forward proposals which were not in line with the people’s aspirations. As regards delivery, the Party may have failed to bring forward its message in the most effective way. In all likelihood, I believe that the MLP lost the last general election due to a combination of both.
Having said this, personally, I prefer to look forward rather than remain obsessed with the past. Whatever mistakes may have been committed, let us all treasure the experience learnt from them, and start preparing ourselves for the electoral battles that will have to be fought in the coming months and years.
Why should people vote for you?
The vision I am putting forward for the Delegate’s consideration is one based on the premise of change. But this change should not be for change’s sake. It is a process which will see us continue to build on all that is positive within the Party, and which will enable us to be in a position to better face the challenges of the present and the future. As is often said by managerial gurus worldwide, in modern society, the only constant is change itself. This is a fact which must be understood also by all of us within the MLP.
If elected to the post of General Secretary, I will do my best towards translating this vision into practice. This, I have pledged to do by working together with the Party leadership, my collegues on the Administration, the National Executive, and all Party Delegates and activists.