“Even though I am elderly and voted Labour, I am no longer willing to allow these thieves to continue. A PN without a plan is better than these robbing me.”

This remark, he suggested, reflects a sentiment shared by many long-time supporters who feel betrayed by the party’s handling of ethical breaches. Labour, he warned, is making a “big mistake” in assuming that people will “turn a blind eye” simply because the government delivered a popular budget or because the Opposition lacks direction.

Drawing on the words of German playwright Bertolt Brecht, Bartolo underscored the risk of normalising corruption within Maltese politics, likening it to a “blanket of silence” that descends over society as people grow accustomed to wrongdoing. He cautioned that this acceptance has dangerous implications for Malta’s future, noting, “It is dangerous when we grow used to evil and no longer see it as evil.”

Camilleri and Bartolo have both refused to step-down over the scandal and, rather than demanding accountability, Prime Minister Robert Abela has accepted a casual apology from Clayton Bartolo, signalling a reluctance to address the issue meaningfully. For Labour’s loyal supporters, this attitude is a bitter pill to swallow, Bartolo argues, because it raises doubts about the party’s commitment to the values it once championed.

Bartolo stressed that if Labour continues to ignore the growing discontent within its own ranks, it may soon find itself punished by the very people it relies upon for support. As Bartolo put it, the silent anger of voters “may speak volumes come election time.”

Labour may hope this scandal fades from memory, but Bartolo’s words serve as a reminder that people are watching, noting every misstep. Should the party fail to act, the backlash may not come in the form of public outrage but in a quiet, decisive punishment at the ballot box.

Should Labour be worried?