Labour’s energy proposal is proof country cannot afford a change in direction - Gonzi

Addressing the Nationalist Party's extraordinary general council, which approved the party's electoral manifesto, ahead of the electoral programme which will be announced later this month, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi accused the Labour Party of being "dishonest" in its energy proposals, by attempting to sell what he described as a "dangerous gimmick."

He said that contrary to any realistic expert advice, the PL was proposing to construct a €600 million gas power station to reduce electricity tariffs.

"The gross miscalculation in the estimates as produced by Labour make their proposals not even worth the paper they were written on," he charged.

Gonzi announced that the PN will be soon launching its own energy proposals in its electoral programme, which would complement the work in progress on the interconnector and an eventual gas pipeline linking the island to mainland Europe.

The Prime Minister said the first days of the campaign have served as clear indicators of the differences between the two main political parties.

"It's not only about the red which has seemingly disappeared from Labour, or their attempt at trying to make us forget that they have served 22 months in office between 1996 and 1998, but it's about Labour's credibility," Gonzi said, adding that the people are faced with a choice on March 9, which will be based on a serious decision on whom to trust with their future.

He appealed to the electorate to forget passionate or partisan politics, and ask why would it be necessary for a change in direction?

Voters in Spain and Greece voted for a change in direction, because there was clear failure, but do we have a failure here? Absolutely not! So why would we risk the change? Even Chancellor Angela Merkel certified that we are a European model," the Prime Minister said.

"Merkel fired a torpedo at Muscat without even knowing him, because her words about the grave economic situation in Cyprus proved him ever so wrong when two years ago he challenged me to follow Cyprus example," Gonzi said.

The Prime Minister said that the German government recognised the PN-led success in the economy, to the extent that it was encouraging its businesses to invest in Malta. "The investments made by Lufthansa Technik and Playmobil are clear examples," he said.

Gonzi said that his government was proud of having safeguarded jobs during the crisis, and created some 20,000 jobs. "But this story doesn't end here, in the five years to come, we have to work hard to create 30,000 more."

Changing direction just like 1996, left the country out of the EU, and spelt disaster for the economy, while the subsequent collapse of government finances with the removal of VAT, should serve as an eye-opener to the electorate, he said.

'We can win' - Simon Busuttil

Deputy leader Simon Busuttil stressed that the PN can win the general election, and urged party faithful to be courageous and proud of their party.

Busuttil said that the PN is the best tool for change. "We are serious, and don't believe in gimmicks. We believe in integrity,"

Busuttil said that the PN humbly apologises to whom it may have hurt, "and this apology is not empty, sincere and part of our integrity."

He stressed that the Maltese should not take anything for granted, and while students celebrate their graduation from university, rather than taking to the streets to protest against unemployment, austerity measures and cuts in the education sector.

Busuttil dwelt on the PN's roots and direction. "our roots are important for the formulation of our policies," he said, adding that certain principles are the fundamentals of the party's belief's.

"You know where you stand with us," Busuttil claimed, calling on party councillors to stress with all that freedom, subsidiarity, dialogue, trust and true Maltese and European identity makes us who we are," he said.

Regarding direction, Busuttil said that the PN was the catalyst to grant Maltese an enriched identy by giving them European citizenship, while the Labour Party was conveniently stressing that it wants Malta to be "the best" in Europe, when they were in fact against EU membership.

Next election is based on a choice between PN and PL, but the PL only insists on "a change" without explaining what the change is about.

Labour's slogan calling for a 'Malta for all' is ambiguous he stressed, adding that the PN went even further than that by granting Europe also to the Maltese.

Busuttil accused Labour of putting forward a number of unsustainable and blind proposals, which would eventually harm the country and lead to more taxes.

Muscat's energy plan should be shredded - Fenech

Finance minister Tonio Fenech, who was given a standing ovation by the councillors present, called on Labour to shred the energy proposals, if the party does not come up with credible explanations, and publish all the studies they say they have to sustain the construction of a new gas power station.

Fenech, who earlier in the day addressed a press conference during which he described Labour's energy proposals as "Alice in wonderland', said that the consultants engaged by Muscat clearly spelt out that the cheaper viable option was not his, but what the PN-led government's plans for a gas pipeline.

"The estimates presented don't even add up. He is telling us that it is going to cost €370 million, when in reality this will cost the country €600 million" Fenech said, while drawing laughter from councillors when he said that while Labour made a scene at the construction of a chimney at Delimara, Labour was now proposing the construction of two gas tanks, each one as large as the Mosta rotunda.

Fenech echoed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's praise at Malta's resilience at the face of the economic crisis. "Joseph Muscat says he wants to change direction, because he decided to drive us straight into a wall," Fenech said.

"What Muscat wants to do is repeat the same mistakes committed by former Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, and French President Francois Hollande," he said.

PN has a responsibility to the country - de Marco

Tourism minister Mario de Marco said that contrary to the reality across the European Union, Lawrence Gonzi's government is going to the polls with the highest ever number of gainfully occupied, higher women participation, record number of students at university, investments, businesses.

This party has a responsibility towards the country and its people. "The storm has not passed," he warned, while adding that the PN has another five-year programme, and is promising yet again a future in safe hands.

De Marco said that the pillars of the PN's campaign this year, work, health and education reflected the party's vision to give its best for the people.

'Feel free' to criticise us - Pullicino

Resouces and rural affairs George Pullicino called on party faithful to "feel free" to criticise the party, and to keep the administration actively pursuing the nations dreams and ambitions.

"Let us protect the good we have created, and not let it go to waste," Pullicino said,

He warned that a Labour government led by Joseph Muscat would repeat the mistakes committed by other Labour governments. "There simply isn't the goodwill, the know-how or the seriousness, because his choices and policies are wrong. God forbid we heeded his advice to follow Cyprus," he said.

Labour 'ashamed' of its past - Said

Justice minister Chris Said accused Labour of attempting to hide the fact that it was in power for 22 months between 1996 and 1998. "Nowhere in the world would you find a party that feels ashamed of mentioning the fact that it was in government," he said, adding that it was clear that Labour was feeling ashamed of its own failures.

He dwelt on the "stark differences" between Lawrence Gonzi and Joseph Muscat, where seriousness and integrity are concerned.

"It is easy to promise, but it's a completely different thing to deliver," the Gozitan minister charged, adding that being Gozitan, he felt insulted by Labour's for excluding Gozo from its 'Malta for all' slogan.

'Feel it and believe it, we can win' - Fenech Adami

Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami urged supporters to "feel it and believe it" that "the PN should win" the general election.

Accompanied by a loud applause from councillors, Fenech Adami hit out at Labour leader Joseph Muscat who month after month called for an election. "You were wrong!" he said, adding that Muscat only wants to snatch power at all costs.

Taking a swipe at Labour's campaign, Fenech Adami stressed that the PN who is facing the electorate with an honest and serious approach, rather than pretending to wear a "mysterious hat of tricks."

PN electoral programme in two weeks - Borg Olivier

PN secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier stressed that the manifesto was not the electoral programme, but an expression of principles. The electoral programme is to be launched on the week starting on January 21.

"Our electoral programme is a sustainable one, and it will reflect the initiatives contained in Tonio Fenech's Budget for 2013," he said.

Borg Olivier drew comparisons between the electoral campaigns, and said that contrary to Labour's bombastic approach, the PN was being serious and not taking people for a ride.