Neutrality in a new Reality

25^th April 2003

The Malta Independent - Friday Wisdom

 

 

 

Let there be no doubt that my claim to wisdom every Friday is subordinate to the unquestioned wisdom of the electorate every time it is called to choose its government.

 

No matter how much I continue to uphold my views, a right guaranteed by our democratic constitution, it is the will of the majority that prevails. The minority must choose whether to adjust its position in line with mainstream thinking or to hold firm to its views, hoping to persuade the majority to cross over to its viewpoint at the next asking.

But as the scenario around us keeps changing, the minority has to move forward too. Going back to the status quo is hardly ever a solution. Certain things that are done through the democratically expressed will of the people cannot be easily undone. The best course of action for the minority in Opposition is quite often to accept the new reality and present itself as a better alternative than the government, within the evolving parameters of such new reality.

“ The challenge ahead of Labour is to find congruence between these sacred principles and the new reality of EU membership”

This line of reasoning inevitably raises the point as to whether electoral defeats force the loser to sacrifice principles for convenience. In so doing, there is a risk that it could endear new friends whilst distancing itself from old ones.

To achieve an electoral majority through which it can democratically execute its principles and objectives, a political party must acquire the new without alienating the old.

I tackled this topic in an address I made in October 1990 at an event held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Labour’s foundation, and I quote two paragraphs related to the identification of Labour’s true mission:

“The Labour Party has few sacred principles which remain evergreen. The first principle is that related to the freedom of our Island Republic from old style colonialism or neo-colonialism. Our country must never allow itself to be used as a military base for the service of any foreign country or block of countries. This principle may be extended to include all forms of association which may appear in the form of a partnership or membership, but which, given our minute size, could gradually transform themselves into a veiled version of neo-colonialism. To uphold this principle of preservation of our hard-earned freedom the Labour Party must continue to strive for peace in the Mediterranean as it is only against a background of stability in our region that we can continue to develop our economy so as to earn an ever improving standard of living without reverting to our war or defence values.

“Can Malta as an EU member rise to this occasion and give true practical meaning to its neutrality in the context of a EU membership”

“Our second basic evergreen principle is that the wealth we create has to be shared on valid principles of social justice so that without in any way stimulating inefficiencies or dampening the entrepreneurial flair, our country acts humanely and kindly with those of its citizens who genuinely need support. Furthermore, these principles of social justice must be practised in a background of strict democratic values where we ought to be prepared to sacrifice our self-interests to protect the right of our opponents to oppose us freely and without fear or recrimination, so long as they also stick to the rules of democracy. Our ideals are founded on democratic socialism where democracy is as sacred as socialism.”

 

The challenge ahead of Labour is to find congruence between these sacred principles and the new reality of EU membership. The government has assured and committed itself that EU membership will strengthen our sovereignty and our neutrality.

The people have listened to our reservations in this regard and gave the government the benefit of the doubt. The Opposition must not obstruct the government in the execution of its mandate. Indeed, it must help to ensure that the EU understands that, no matter what internal differences we may have, we are one nation intending to protect our nationhood, our sovereignty and our neutrality as enshrined in our Constitution. We must play in full our new role as members of an enlarged EU, aspiring to establish an identity which counter-balances the dangerous role that the US has been forced to adopt by the 9/11 events.

The EU can help to bring about a new world order, peace in the Mediterranean and an overdue and fair resolution to the Palestinian/Israeli problem. Can Malta as an EU member rise to this occasion and give true practical meaning to its neutrality in the context of a EU membership and a new order in a post-Saddam world?