After uni: the times they are a-changin'

"For the loser now / Will be later to win / For the times they are a-changin'."

The leaders' debate at the University of Malta on Wednesday afternoon shattered the perennial PN stranglehold on Malta's University, confirming that Labour has made inroads in what once was extremely hostile ground.

The debate, largely dominated by gay rights, confirmed that Labour sympathisers are no longer embarrassed to show their true colours. In stark contrast to past leaders' debates, Labour sympathising students made a coming out and turned up in full force to support their leader.

In the leaders' debate held five years ago, then Labour leader Alfred Sant not only fared badly in the debate but Labour exhibited animosity towards University students, who it deemed as irrecoverable.

The same could be said of Labour's relationship with the independent press. Divesting itself of its perpetual siege mentality, Labour realised that the independent media was not an enemy and was the best medium to carry its message to parts of the electorate which it previously could not communicate with.

Labour supporters' wariness to expose their allegiance in public at University was a symptom of the innate inferiority complex borne out of the PN's success in building an aura of invincibility.

For long years, being associated with the PN was cool and trendy, while Labourites almost felt ashamed at being associated with their party, despite Labour representing almost half the population throughout its darkest days.

The PN stood for democracy, an open university, the free market, EU membership and could rely on a political and cultural hegemony which justified the status quo. Supporting the PN was natural and inevitable for University students.

However, the tables are turning. Labour has managed to overcome the inferiority complex and Labour leaders are no longer subject to ridicule and enmity at University.

Unlike his predecessor, Joseph Muscat was not booed or heckled by students and for the first time in decades a Labour leader felt at home at University, where only 30 years ago saw Labour thugs beat the crap out of students. 

Labour's recent transformation has gone beyond the colour schemes, billboards, TV spots and coherency in its message. The reasoning is simple. If you cannot beat them, join them. Take a winning formula and build on it.

Although the PN is traditionally the better-financed party with a creative and professional edge over Labour, the Opposition, for the first time in ages, seems to be richer in cash and in ideas. They have proved that they can match the masters of slick campaigning and better them.

Universities abroad are not only cradles for critical thought and radicalism, but would present a daunting task to Prime Ministers or political leaders who aspire to be prime minister.

However, nowadays both PN and Labour leaders are welcomed uncritically by university students and whenever Gonzi or Muscat visit the campus they bask in unparalleled adulation and are welcomed as if they are pop-stars.

The leaders' debate also confirmed that both major parties are vying for the middle of the road electorate by making previously unthinkable compromises without rocking the boat.

Both party's policies are almost indistinguishable on gay rights, cohabitation, IVF, hunting, education, health, industry and migration.

Undoubtedly, the University debate's biggest winner was AD's Michael Briguglio who made a strong case for his party, despite being aware of the Greens' slim chances of winning a parliamentary seat.

Rising above political expediency, Briguglio spelt out his party's clear stand in issues which differentiates them from the mainstream parties, such as gay marriage, drug decriminalisation and environmental and social justice.

He also made it clear that change does not just happen, but people have to vote for it, and his argument that AD only needs 2,000 votes in one district to win a seat demonstrated that the challenge is not as impossible as it seems.

The cry for change is resonating throughout the islands and now clearly audible at one of the PN's absolute strongholds, the University of Malta. Whether Labour's inroads and changes are irreversible and mark the beginning of a new political era is too early to say. Longevity and permanence are one thing, cosmetic changes based on the urgency of now, are another.