[WATCH] Labour's manifesto 'insults' people's intelligence
PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil says Labour's 837-pledge manifesto was "an insult to people's intelligence."
8 February 2013, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
2 min read
Time for a bite...Simon Busuttil and resources minister George Pullicino taste the greenhouse tomatoes in Xemxija.
PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil derided Labour's estimate that its 837 electoral pledges would cost €300 million less than the Nationalist Party's 125 proposals.
"Labour's criticism of our costings is rich, when it hasn't even presented detailed costings, apart from a global expenditure figure," Busuttil said.
He added that Labour's 837-proposal manifesto was "an insult to people's intelligence," while he added that the PN's more realistic programmes respected people's intelligence.
Busuttil was speaking to the press at the end of a visit to a greenhouse in the Pwales Valley, owned by Ray and Paul Grima. The MEP insisted that Labour's manifesto "copied" chunks of its manifesto from the PN programme, noting that "even the wording is the same" in some parts.
Asked whether Malta was set to maintain its current level of EU funding, Busuttil would not commit himself because "negotiations are ongoing," however he said that the Prime Minister was "standing his ground."
According to Gonzi, who addressed the Maltese media shortly before entering the negotiations late yesterday evening, "one must realistically prepare for the worst," as Malta is still not happy with the €680 million, which includes the €200 million offered last November. Between 2004 and 2013 Malta was granted €850 million in EU funds.
In a feeble attempt to backpedal on his comments on Labour candidate Deborah Schembri having "the face of a Nationalist," Busuttil said "I did not insult Deborah Schembri. If in any way Deborah felt offended I apologise for my comments, but I was simply saying that once Labour's glossy packaging is removed you'll find the Labour of old.
Busuttil said that Labour was still run by pesons who were in served under former Labour leader Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfed Sant, noting that "Karmenu Vella was first elected to Parliament when I was seven years old."
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
Priscilla Darmenia •
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Priscilla Darmenia •
Dr Busuttil, I think it is more appropriate that YOU and the whole GonziPN lot respect our intelligence. YOU especially as you declared that the LP copied their manifesto from yours. Now explain to me, as you stated that the LP manifesto has 837 pledges and yours has only 125 pledges, from where did the LP copied the remaining 712 pledges? You attacked Dr D. Schembri that she has the face of a Nationalist. I do not know what face one must have to be a Nationalist or a Labourite. For sure you have a face of a .....
Priscilla Darmenia •
Dr Busuttil, I think it is more appropriate that YOU and the whole GonziPN lot respect our intelligence. YOU especially as you declared that the LP copied their manifesto from yours. Now explain to me, as you stated that the LP manifesto has 837 pledges and yours has only 125 pledges, from where did the LP copied the remaining 712 pledges? You attacked Dr D. Schembri that she has the face of a Nationalist. I do not know what face one must have to be a Nationalist or a Labourite. For sure you have a face of a .....
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Simon, your vicious tongue is insulting people's intelligence more than anything else. Criticize but don't be hateful - we had enough of that in the past.
Mark Fenech •
I think Simon said that PL had copied from the gonzipn electoral programme. Does that mean that their programme also insults people's intelligence?
which is which?
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Ghaziz Busullotti. Ahjar tawk faxx karrotti flok tadama ghax bil-hmerijiet li qed tghid irrendejt lilek innifsek bhala hmar.
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Dr. Busuttil your party portrayed you as the 'ACE' in their pack of cards, however unknowingly they picked up the 'Joker' . Seriously I think the less you talk the better.
Which Nazjonaist.... but I will vote Labour this time. Simply pathetic. I thought PBO was bad...
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Actually, it is simple Simon's constant gaffes, that are the real insult to peoples' intelligence.
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The only insult to people's intelligence is Dr. Busuttil himself. If he is supposed to be a fresh breath in the Nationalist Party than they are really in dire straits.
I think he should start by apologizing for being offensive to so many people and start talking about concrete measures.
The people in this country are sick and tired of his type of cheap politics.
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Good boy Simon, you apologised.
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Could Simon explain why it is so utter bad that MPs under KMB, AS, AND DM, stand for election, how can he dispose of people like that. Are they unrepentant criminals ? please explain.
Joseph Pellicano •
simple simon, jaqaw fil costings taghkom hemm imdahlin il 500euro fil gighma zieda, biex gie daqsek oli.
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Oh! Simon thought that the his opposition is an ameteure but he failed and he is completely lost. This shows how the campaign has thwarted now also implicating the GWU.
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IF THERE IS ANY INSULT IT IS FROM SIMON BUSUTTIL WHO CALLED US FACES OF PN OR FACES OF PL RATHER THAN INDIVIDUALS CREATED BY GOD. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN ANY MALTESE OF GOOD WILL THAT THE PN MANIFESTO WAS IN GREAT PART COPIED AFTER LABOUR STARTED COMING OUT WITH THE MASSES OF PROPOSALS FOR GETTING MALTA OUT OF THE RUT THE PN HAS LEFT IT IN, WITH COPYING BEING RELEGATED TO THOSE WHO WERE FOUND RED HANDED DOING SO, AND CORRUPTION, THE SCOURGE OF MALTA BEING ALL PERPETRATED BY GONZIPN BLUE EYED BOYS. THAT, MY DEAR SIMON, IS THE MOST INSULTING OF ALL.
