In the mid-1990s, then Labour Party leader Alfred Sant once opened a press conference by welcoming attendees “f’isem George u George” (“on behalf of George and George”), evoking smiles from those present or watching. He was, of course, referring to the party’s deputy leaders flanking him, who coincidentally shared the same name: George Vella, a Member of Paliament who was Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs, and George Abela, who was not an MP and served as Deputy Leader for Party Affairs.

According to the Labour Party’s statute, there shall be two deputy leaders. While one concentrates exclusively on parliamentary work, the other’s role is strictly party-related, encompassing three defined statutory responsibilities:

i. to preside over and manage the party’s administration and branches, as well as local and distict structures;

ii. to maintain ongoing contact with all local committees and other party bodies, providing maximum assistance with potential problems and ensuring prompt resolution of complaints;

iii. to coordinate the work of the local councillors’ section.

The party statute makes it clear that, while only MPs are eligible to contest the post of Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs, any party member is eligible to contest the post of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs except for MPs and MEPs.

When the Labour Party’s pioneers established the rule barring MPs from contesting for Deputy Leader for Party Affairs decades ago, they must have had compelling reasons. Overseeing the party’s day-to-day operations, strategy, and administration is indeed a very crucial role.

Firstly, a Deputy Leader for Party Affairs who is neither an MP nor an MEP would have significantly more time to connect with grassroots members, dedicating full attention to the party’s internal affairs without the distractions of constituency work and parliamentary duties. MPs spend most of their time working hard in their consituencies, while MEPs’ valuable work takes place primarily in Brussels and Strasbourg, forcing them to spend most of their time away from Malta. Consequently, a competent non-MP/MEP would be in a much better position to foster stronger party unity and improve communication as the party recovers from the recent electoral setback and strives to prevent growing divisions from undermining its chances in the next general election.

Moreover, someone without a parliamentary seat may offer a more objective viewpoint on party policies and strategies. They can also provide a fresh perspective and challenge the status quo without being influenced by electoral pressures. Separating the roles of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs and MP/MEP can also help prevent potential conflicts of interest. A deputy leader who is not an MP or MEP can focus solely on party interests without worrying about how decisions might impact their own electoral prospects.

The Labour Party has always upheld this part of its statute except for once. In February 2016, an amendment was made to allow MPs and MEPs to contest the post of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs. It became apparent that the rationale was not grounded in principle but was merely a tactical manoeuvre to officially propel former MP and Minister Konrad Mizzi to a position of influence within the party. Mizzi stepped down from that role shortly after being elected, after being implicated in the Panama Papers scandal. Chris Cardona, at the time also an MP and a minister, was elected in his stead. When Robert Abela became Labour leader in 2020, the statute change was promptly reversed, once again barring MPs and MEPs from contesting the deputy leadership for party affairs.

Fast forward four years and the Party’s national executive committee has decided to hold an Extraordinary General Conference this Friday, the primary purpose being to discuss statutory amendments, including the potential eligibility of MPs and MEPs to contest the position of Deputy Leader for Party Affairs.

Understandably, many are questioning the rationale behind this move, especially given the number of non-MP/MEP candidates who have expressed interest or strongly hinted at their ambitions to contest. By altering the statute, the general conference risks implying that these dedicated party members are somehow inadequate for the role.

Nevertheless, democracy means that the will of the party delegates, as will be expressed on Friday, must be respected – as it was respected following the extraordinary general conference held in 1998, when the delegates voted against the party’s Deputy Leader for Party Affairs George Abela’s advice against an early general election half-way through the Labour government’s mandate. The rest is history.