Has the PN changed tack just in time?
Did you hear that noise?
That was the sound of screeching brakes as the Partit Nazzjonalista halted in its tracks and manoeuvred a three point U-turn across a perilously narrow bridge.
In a statement issued yesterday by the conservative party, it is quite clear that the repeated calls from some of its supporters for the PN to change tack on civil rights have finally been heeded. Of course, observers have not been fooled – it is quite apparent that the smell of elections is in the air, and that this is an attempt to mend bridges. The party’s previous stubborn stand against divorce and its reluctance to speak about gay rights was hurting it in the demographic which holds the future of the party in its hands – the liberal middle class vote.
But now, magically, all that digging of the heels of the demo kristjani has vanished..now it’s OK to espouse liberal views and the party has actually gone on record saying that it believes in the separation between church and state. On the one hand this is good news…this is after all the kind of Malta we want to live in.
But nothing in this country is ever straightforward; there are always
coldblooded, hard-nosed strategies involved and it is this calculated
cynicism which is causing more and more people to disengage from the whole political process. No one likes to be used, least of all minority groups who are bounced back and forth for political expediency. So while on the one hand members of the gay community may welcome the news that the PN is finally recognising their rights for their relationships to be recognised at law, on the other hand there are those who simply feel disgusted at the whole charade.
Why now?
Why now, indeed?
The whole thing is even more farcical when one considers how harshly the Labour party has been criticised – quite rightly – for trying to target specific interest groups for votes. I hardly think the PN can keep on harping on this particular point now (although you never know, it just might manage to successfully spin its spectacular U-turn to its advantage somehow). It will be interesting to see how this is all going to be explained to the staunch church-going Catholics who want the PN to remain as it has always been…firmly right-wing and unswervingly conservative.
When only a handful of votes can swing an election, it is easy to see why politicians are always searching for pockets of disaffected voters whom they can persuade and cajole. But seen from the point of view of the population all these political games are wearing a bit thin. People want to have a clear-cut idea about what each political party stands for, and if the PN wants to be anti-divorce and anti-gay rights, then fine, at least we know. But for it to suddenly change tack just because an election is looming is verging on the ridiculous.
It is rather difficult to take anyone seriously when they swing back and forth between two extremes on such crucial political platforms. In fact, guffaws of incredulity could be heard all over cyber space at the news.
Frankly, it all had to do with the timing. It would have been more credible had it been done earlier, for example, when the divorce bill was put to the vote in parliament. Had Gonzi back then bowed his head and said “I may not agree with divorce personally, but I will respect the will of the people” then we could have perhaps better accepted this change of heart. At this juncture, however, with the heat of election fever growing by the day, it all smacks of opportunism.
This afternoon I heard on the news that Austin Gatt went up to the podium at the PN General Council to loud cheering and clapping which ended up in a standing ovation. “It’s so great to be a Nationalist” he was reported as saying. Yes, I guess for some it is. For this is what it is all about really isn’t? Not whether the country will be better off, or who is better at governing, but who will be in power and who will be the winner who takes it all.
And there is no doubt that when it comes to winning elections, the Nationalists have the whole thing down to a fine art. All systems have already been put in place, and it’s just a matter of fine tuning here and there.
As we have seen over the last few years with all the much-hyped projects that have never materialised, the Nationalist party may not be such great shakes at actually running the country…but when it comes to grabbing the votes required to keep them in that seat of power, no one, but no one does it better.
So, yes, in this context, the wooing back of the snubbed liberal voter was probably inevitable. If enough liberal votes are herded back to the PN fold, Muscat’s PL will be in serious trouble. Couple that with a Labour party which is still floundering around when it comes to concrete policies, and which continues to make substantial image mistakes,and it is starting to look like Austin Gatt’s forecast might come true after all…Malta will continue to have a PN government for another 20 years.
Great, just great.
- November 20, 2011 14 Comments Posted in: Sunday Opinion
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14 comments
Do I sense a shift in your leaning from a definite lefty to a more conservative centrist? A few days ago you were rubbishing the PN and singing the praises of the PL. Now, all of a sudden, you seem to have pulled up the handbrake yourself and are taking a softer line against the PN.
The fact remains that voting for the PL is a risk, big risk, because we have no clue what they are offering. With the PN we know exactly what we are getting and their track record in terms of improving our quality of life is second to none.
Julian, I am trying to remember in which post I was “singing the praises of the PL” a few days ago. As for my becoming a “more conservative centrist”..and taking a softer line against the PN, once again…I have re-read by post and am curious as to how you came to this conclusion.
In my articles, I try and write about what I am seeing around me while trying to give my interpretation of the political landscape which is constantly shifting at the moment. I also give people a space where they can discuss in a civilised manner…..so frankly, while this website represents my opinion, I would prefer to discuss the issues. I do not wish to make this about me.
”track record in terms of improving our quality of life is second to none.” Like???
Julian,
Go on tell me? new roads? my foot out of the hundreds of miles of roads you’ll be lucky if there are 100 miles done properly.
Hospital?? yeah about time in only took 12 years to complete and it’s too small.
Arriva/ public transport, say no more
Air Malta now there’s a F’up if there ever was one.
Powerstation, what the one that cant cope and suddenly we go for the most uneco friendly option possible.
Freeport, yeah why not ruin Pretty bay, never heard of reclaiming land i guess in a more suitable less eyesore place.
Mind you why am i bothering your probably one of those who OH we do no wrong blue eyed boys.
Sad But true.
Josanne, maybe I should have re-phrased that sentence to “you never miss an opportunity to put down the PN and encourage support for the PL”. You know exactly what your phrasing is and how it is conditioned to be anti-PN. Your assessment of the political landscape was very much in keeping with the spin from the One stable and was never objective. This was the first slightly more objective writing in many months, though you do end with a clear sign for you own political leaning – you just cannot hold back. “Malta will continue to have a PN government for another 20 years.
Great, just great.”
Yes very objective indeed!
@JFarrugia
You obviously live in another part of this planet. There is much more to quality of life than the quality of the roads. The roads that are now being rebuilt do have a much higher standard. Has the Govt done enough? Absolutely not! Are they moving the right direction? And how!
You seem to (conveniently) forget that your beloved Alfred Sant had doubled the size of the hospital in those few unfortunate months when he was in power. Everyone is left in no doubt that the hospital was well worth waiting for – maybe you are the exception.
Arriva seems to have settled down – but it is convenient for you to not realise.
Air Malta is the victim of mega conglomerates, low cost and over staffing by both political parties. It has nothing to do with poor strategy from the PN.
The power station IS coping; what we don’t have is a backup to the single power station and the Govt has cleverly contracted for the Interconnector to Sicily. It is easy to say the new equipment should be powered by gas but who’s going to pay for the pipeline?
As for the Freeport – that was actually an MLP initiative that the PN built on. Sigh.
Now to quality of life – to me that is cleaner seas (treated waste); cleaner air (no more Marsa power station and no more wrecks that passed for buses and scrappage scheme for older cars); longer life expectancy than ever before; continued investment in infrastructure and restoration of our heritage resulting in more pleasant environment and record tourism; an education system that is open to all and not restricted like it was when I was in secondary school and had to go overseas to continue my studies; incomes from real jobs not pijuneri; a country that is respected on the world stage not a joke that was in bed with the North Korean commies.
I don’t know about you but I think we have a pretty great quality of life – you are probably still busy worrying about electricity bills instead of getting on with our short life -that yes – is really worth living.
Take care!
@ Julian Borg. I have always found that Josanne Cassar calls a spade a spade and criticises the PN or the PL as the case may be. Even if (and it is not the case) she had certain political leanings, why should that exclude her from commenting? Are you saying that she shouldn’t criticise the PN, and only be allowed to criticise the Labour Party? There are many other bloggers who do that.
@ Julian Borg. Maybe you should pull off your blue-tinted specs. Malta is not in a dsisastrous state, but that doesn’t mean we can’t criticise the PN – just because it could be worse.
1. The roads. Yes, they are being redone at last, but the work is VERY poor quality, look at those which have collapsed and take ages to complete. Look at the cost over runs and then come back and praise the government for finally doing things it should have done ten years ago.
2. The hospital. Yes, maybe Labour wanted it to be bigger BUT the decrease in the number of hospital beds was the result of Nationalist planning. A new cancer hospital has to be built now instead of with the main building because of the lack of foresight of the Nationalist Government. There is a mortuary room which is 4 times as the one we need because of Nationalist planning (according to the Nationalist Dr. Frank Portelli)
3. The power station is NOT coping. We have just had a massive power cut. We are paying more for more power cuts and more pollution.
4. If there is overstaffing in AirMalta, then it must have been due to the Nationalist Government (which has been in power for the past 25 years)…If Labour did it before, why did the Nationalist Government keep on doing it?
5. Education system may be open to all, but we have the most school leavers with the worst qualifications
6. Industry-friendly government? Did you read the interview with three Maltese industrialists saying that the Nationalist government is charging business to death?
7. Income from real jobs. Are you referring to the thousands of people who are on definite term contracts and who do not have minimal security at their place of work?
8. A country that is not in bed with the North Korean commies> As opposed to a government which is in bed with the Gaddafi regime and whose Prime Minister was the last foreign politician to hug Gaddafi?
9. A nice life. Life is always better for realists who aren’t stuck in the 1980s and keep on boring the rest of the world with things that happened thirty years ago
@KDebattista
I don’t have any issue with criticising the PN Government and do so myself. What I have a serious problem with is the lack of perspective – and judging by your comment your perspective is so narrow you must lead a very unhappy and angry life. You simply cannot see the wood for the trees.
I feel very sorry for you.
@ Julian Borg. I’m glad to see that you give us your okay to criticise the PN government, though the comments made by Julian Borg on The Times of Malta comments board always seem to be singing the praises of the PN government. Maybe it’s another Julian Borg. Thank you for your sympathy..but it’s rather misplaced. I live quite a peaceful and fulfilling life, not being inclined to police assorted websites posting sycophantic comments about the PN government, using various pseudonyms. I note that you haven’t addressed any of the points I made. Anyway, enjoy your evening online.
I am not a regular on this blog but I have to admit I find it quite interesting and there’s a good discussion going on. I will be back.
@K Debattista….. you wanted comment on your points – here they are…..
1. The roads. Yes, they are being redone at last, but the work is VERY poor quality, look at those which have collapsed and take ages to complete. Look at the cost over runs and then come back and praise the government for finally doing things it should have done ten years ago.
What cost over runs? Where are you getting your information from? The increased quality of our roads speak for themselves.
2. The hospital. Yes, maybe Labour wanted it to be bigger BUT the decrease in the number of hospital beds was the result of Nationalist planning. A new cancer hospital has to be built now instead of with the main building because of the lack of foresight of the Nationalist Government. There is a mortuary room which is 4 times as the one we need because of Nationalist planning (according to the Nationalist Dr. Frank Portelli)
The plans of the hospital were revised by the PL Govt of Sant – they had their reasons for not including an Oncology Centre – I dont blame Sant or EFA or Gonzi. Times change and the Govt decided to give priority to the Oncology Centre. That is the way things happen!
3. The power station is NOT coping. We have just had a massive power cut. We are paying more for more power cuts and more pollution. The MASSIVE POWER CUT lasted all of 45 minutes. Power cuts are a fact of life – they happen and will continue to happen.
4. If there is overstaffing in AirMalta, then it must have been due to the Nationalist Government (which has been in power for the past 25 years)…If Labour did it before, why did the Nationalist Government keep on doing it?
Not quite so simple. The Nasty Nats didnt fire anyone because they were employed by a previous adminsitration. The MLP stacked the Public Service and other entities with supporters befre 1987. The Nasty Nats kept everyone on. It is a well known fact that Air Malta is a fortizza Laburista – not for very much longer it seems as everyone is desserting the airline – which is precisely the tonic it needs to survive.
5. Education system may be open to all, but we have the most school leavers with the worst qualifications
All the Nats fault that students stop studying early. The infrastructure and systems are there but we cannot get into people’s brains or family situations!
6. Industry-friendly government? Did you read the interview with three Maltese industrialists saying that the Nationalist government is charging business to death?
Is that why they have stayed on in Malta? Nobody is perfect – things will be fixed – that the way things happen.
7. Income from real jobs. Are you referring to the thousands of people who are on definite term contracts and who do not have minimal security at their place of work?
Job mobility and definite contracts are simply a development in the new world order – nobody is forcing anyone to take up a contract – it is a free choice of developed democratic nations.
8. A country that is not in bed with the North Korean commies> As opposed to a government which is in bed with the Gaddafi regime and whose Prime Minister was the last foreign politician to hug Gaddafi?
The Govt courted all trading partners in the same way – when push came to shove our PM did the right thing and denounced Gaddafi. It took Joseph Muscat the end of the conflict for him to renounce Gaddafi. Many within the MLP are still supporting Gaddafi – ask Reno!
9. A nice life. Life is always better for realists who aren’t stuck in the 1980s and keep on boring the rest of the world with things that happened thirty years ago
We have moved on mate – it’s people like you who are hell bent on seeing a PL victory for the sake of it and not because they can do better. Stop talking down what is going well (see above) – remember 96/98? No need to go back to the 80′s – the MLP’s latest foray was shortlived – justifiably!
Enjoy – I have a life to lead!
@ Julian Borg. One hell of an exciting life you lead if you’re online at quarter past 9 in the morning, desperately defending the PN Government and getting all hot under the collar just because someone dared to comment slightly unfavourably about the PN. I note that you are very forgiving when it comes to things which are not going so well under the PN (“Nobody is perfect – things will be fixed”) but hold the Labour Party to a higher standard. Then there are all these sweeping statements and generalisations, such as the one about Airmalta being a fortizza Laburista. There have been many hundreds of surplus workers recruited in these last 30 years (under the Nationalist administration) so don’t go blaming a Labour government for that too (Besides, you forget that in your earlier comment you said that the problem is partially due to over-staffing by BOTH parties. Was that a temporary lapse of memory or simply due to too much caffeine to try and wake you up to continue monitoring the comments boards?
@ Julian Borg. Since the PN won the last elections we have seen people celebrate just that once: on election day. Things have gone seriously downhill since then – one gaffe after the other. They haven’t listened to public opinion, they gave themselves a hefty raise when we are struggling to pay our bills, the roads are still a mess, corruption is rife, the list goes on and on. You can feel that stress has increased on a day to day basis. And best of all we have to keep quiet about it – otherwise we are seen as dissidents. Whatever your political leanings are don’t let them blind you from reality. Josanne is one of the very few journalists in Malta who has the guts to be objective. That’s the problem. Nowadays integrity is easily sacrificed in order to please the powerful. Would you like her to join the club?
there is about the Nationalist Party today a terrible formlessness, as of an unwrapped parcel. The widespread perception is that they are just limping along. They are hanging on in there with doggedness. Josanne is right. They are changing tack and taking stands which would have been anathema to Nerik Mizzi. They will leave no stone unturned to win or win back every single vote possible. Their PR machine is the best ever. Cheque-book journalism in the media in general is practiced without restraint. The Labour party has a great deal to learn from them. But it is all to do with ‘fare bella figura’ and they are becoming more and more short of substance. They’re also doing their damnest to present the Labour Party as a bunch of nincampoops who will never be able to govern as they lack competent people. In reality this is far from true. But the Labour Party needs to market itself well if it is to win the next election. We must get rid of this lot and stop the corruption and waste…. 35 million Euros spent on consultancies alone?
Will someone please publish a list to whom all these millions were paid…?