Muscat ‘refuses to be dragged into mudslinging campaigning’

Labour leader Joseph Muscat steered clear of making any reference to the revelations on the involvement of Labour's former financial controller in the Enemalta oil scandal, reiterating that his party "will not be dragged into this mudslinging campaign".

Addressing a political activity in Xghajra, Muscat continued to capitalise on the red/blue faces of the PN billboard - last night replaced with new billboards - insisting that the electorate must now choose between the politics of the past and those looking towards a positive future.

"The choice is between those who choose to divide the country in red and blue and the Labour movement which seeks to unite," Muscat said.

"We will not be dragged into this mudslinging. We will not fall for these disparaging acts. We will remain positive."

Muscat said the Labour movement was making an even greater effort to remain positive. "Our citizens deserve much better than being exposed to mudslinging campaigns," he said.

"I have only one appeal to make to the politicians: let's sober up. All this negative campaigning will do no good... neither to us nor to others. I urge for the political debate to turn its focus on the proposals and on the points which the citizens are really interested in."

Muscat said it was alright to talk about accountability and the oil scandal, but that the discussion should be "honest".

"And this is what we will be doing. We have long taken the decision not to allow anyone to drag us into negative campaigning and politics which attack the individual."

Muscat also pledged that a Labour government would enact the Whistleblower's Act, remove the time-barring on cases of political corruption and enact a party financing law before parliament adjourns for its summer recess.

Together with deputy leader Louis Grech, Muscat also fielded questions on various issues ranging from health, the environment, opportunities for training and employment, the performing arts and proposals with regards to persons with disability.

"It is clear that the only movement with a clear energy plan is the Labour party. We have provided you with a clear energy plan and how this will unfold.

"The PN, on the other hand, is not even sure of what it is proposing: it proposed night tariffs ranging between 7% and 26 % without saying by when, how and for whom," Muscat said. 

Fielding questions on equality, Muscat said that "equality is not an option but it is what makes us part of a civilized society".