Muscat ‘ready to work with everyone’

As the third day of electioneering came to an end, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said that he does not aspire to just lead half the country and does not aspire to follow the tribal mentality which dominates the Maltese political scene.

"I dream of the day when Labourites celebrate Independence Day in the same way Nationalists do and I also dream of the day when Nationalists celebrate Freedom Day in the same manner Labourites do. And that day is not as far as we think it is," Muscat said. 

In keeping up with Labour's inclusive message, Muscat added that he is willing to work "with everyone" and stressed that the country is yearning for a radical shift in the way the country is run.

Speaking during a political debate in Mqabba, Muscat said he was taking personal responsibility on Labour's energy plans, unveiled on Tuesday.

The plans, which aim at reducing water and electricity bill by 2014, came under severe criticism by the Nationalist Party who has termed the plans as "impossible."

Muscat insisted that the plans were feasible and said that he will also appoint an energy minister who will focus on implementing Labour's strategy to reduce electricity bills by 25% and water bills by 5%.

He added that a Labour government will "engage the best brains available at Enemalta, and appoint a board of governors that is strictly bi-partisan to ensure that the country takes a huge stride forward in the energy sector."

Echoing labour's electoral slogan, 'Everybody's Malta,' Muscat said that who ever is prepared to embark on this project will be welcomed with open arms.

Stressing that many projects will be implemented in conjunction with private sector, Muscat said Labour will would launch an energy-efficient support service, to benefit those who have above-average consumption, and would later form the basis of a national strategy to reduce consumption of water and electricity.

He added that a parallel initiative will be carried out, which will include a 'scrapping' scheme for old appliances, to be replaced by new, energy-efficient appliances from any retailer.

Muscat explained Labour's shift to greater cooperation with the private sector by saying that "government should act as a facilitator and regulator and it should not take the private sector's place."

He said that within three days of the electoral campaign's start, the party in opposition came up with a clear plan on energy with deadlines, solutions and clear plans. "On the other hand the party which has been in power for almost 25 years has yet to put forward one single proposal," Muscat added.

In reference to the honoraria saga, in which the PN administration granted ministers and MPs a wage rise in the midst of the international economic crisis, the Labour leader said that his government would never grant a wage increase to MPs because if he did so "the people would lose trust" in him. He said MPs salaries would be solely based on the public service wage structure.

He added that the PL's electoral programme would be based on social justice and economic growth. Muscat said that the party had already announced its plan to create jobs and achieve growth through its proposal on energy.