‘No one has right to speak for new PL government’ - Muscat

Labour Leader Joseph Muscat has reacted to the publication of a recording of General Workers' Union secretary general Tony Zarb by insisting that a new Labour government would follow its own agenda and nobody else's.

"No one has the right to speak for a new government," Muscat insisted, "Policies are made by this party, as approved in our manifesto."

Muscat was speaking during the presentation of the 86 Labour candidates who will contest the 9 March election

The Labour leader also reacted to reports in Nationalist party organ In-Nazzjon that refer to an edited, secret recording on YouTube which purportedly has secretary-general Tony Zarb hinting that the union can influence government tendering if Labour is elected to power.

Muscat insisted that only he as Labour leader, or other official Labour spokespersons, is in a position deliver statements of intent, adding "the GWU has a duty to explain what it said."

He also insisted that nobody within the Labour Party was aware of the goings on that the recordings published so far are suggesting.

At the same time, Muscat said that what has so far been made public are merely extracts, and called for the publication of the full version of the recording.

"We expect the whole conversation to be broadcast, to see whether it was taken out of context or whether it was a meeting about precarious work as the GWU is saying."

Asked whether Zarb should resign, Muscat reiterated that no one had the right to speak on behalf of a new Labour government and once again called for the broadcast of the whole recording.

He also questioned the inconsistency of the criticism that Labour is facing regarding its proximity to first big businesses, and now to unions.

"Only yesterday, you were accusing me of being friends with big business. Today, you are accusing me of being friends with unions. Yes, we are friends with everyone," Muscat told members of the PN press.

Muscat also confirmed that deputy leader Louis Grech's responsibility of overseeing  the implementation of the PL manifesto will not replace his possible appointment as deputy Prime Minister.

"If elected to government, Louis will be the deputy Prime Minister, alongside his other responsibilities," Muscat said, adding that he would be given a portfolio.

Muscat added Grech would ensure that the Labour manifesto is implemented, "seeking to break the PN tradition of unfulfilled electoral promises".

"It was clear that this caretaker government had no discipline in project management," he said, adding that proper implementation of electoral proposals should be "run of the mill. We want to implement this norm."

Muscat kicked off the presentation of Labour's election candidates by saying that "when I look at their faces, it's Maltese people I see" - a not-so-veiled allusion remark to Simon Busuttil's comment the evening before.

He said that almost half (48%) are contesting for the first time, insisting that this shows a mix of continuity between the future and the past. He added that almost one fifth are under 35 (17%).

Noting that only 14% of Labour's candidates are women, Muscat pledged greater effort to hike up female participation in politics.

"What unites us is not the past, but the future. And I am happy to see veterans working shoulder to shoulder with newcomers," Muscat said.

Muscat reiterated that the proposals contained within Labour's newly approved manifesto "is not simply a manifesto but a roadmap for economic growth", adding that Labour will be presenting the financial model that the manifesto is based upon.

He also insisted that the proposals tabled by Labour are doable, saying "they withstood repeated tests in a number of dialogues."

He added that late on today, Labour would be presenting its economic model: "The basic issue is not how much you spend but how you spend it."

"The issue is who is going to invest in the best way. We are not in a competition. Our economic model, which will be presented today, is what gives us the peace of mind that these proposals can be done."

Asked about the screening that the PL subjected its candidates to, Muscat said that interested individuals were invited to a meeting before a board, which examined their conduct and scrutinised their principles.

"We have no place for notions such as homophobia," Muscat said, adding that prospective candidates were also asked questions about their professions and other activities.

Muscat also warded off questions about former deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, saying only "I salute Anglu Farrugia" and insisting "he still has a role to play within our party and the country."

Muscat also assuredly said that Labour is confidence that the private sector will play an active and crucial role in a new Labour legislature.

"I am sure the private sector will step forward to take part in our proposals. We are ready to work with everyone. If the accusation of government is that I am pro business, let it be."