‘We have not failed you’, Muscat tells Labour supporters

Addressing a political activity in Fgura, Prime Minister and Labour leader Joseph Muscat said the Labour government has not failed its citizens.

“We have not failed you and we are keeping our promises. We need your courage to continue implementing what we pledged,” Muscat said. “You can sometimes doubt the methods we use, but you cannot doubt our commitment. We don’t expect any thank you because this responsibility is our duty. We chose to be there.”

With three days to go to Saturday’s European Parliament elections, the Labour’s goal to win the majority of votes has become the party’s clear battle cry.

Muscat said he was proud to live in a moment “yet to be hailed by history books” because of government’s fight against poverty and its work to bring about change.

Inviting people to make a choice between minister Konrad Mizzi and shadow minister George Pullicino or between finance minister Edward Scicluna and shadow minister Tonio Fenech, Muscat said he had a team he could trust.

“Politics is about taking decisions, adopt positions and shouldering responsibility. Whatever he says, Simon Busuttil is scared of people’s judgement. I have nothing to fear and that is why on Saturday me and my government will come before you to be judged.”

Muscat went on to list the measures taken by the Labour government over the past 14 months.

To chants of “Joseph, Joseph”, the Labour leader said his courage was derived from the people’s support, knowing they stand with him along the way.

“Saturday is an important day and I know you have understood its importance. Even those who at first said they would remain at home. And I know that deep down you know we haven’t failed you,” he said.

Muscat said it was not about what the government has done but what it plans to do to, for example, address precarious employment.

“When we look at plans, our consultants say this could cost me. But I don’t care to spend money if it means addressing injustices which workers have suffered for for years.”

Muscat said that the government will be implementing radical change in the health sector as he reiterated the pledge to continue creating employment.

“For every job lost, we created nine. But I know that this is not enough. I understand the frustration of those who were fired and the despair of those who can’t find work. The moment I stop feeling the pulse of the people, is the moment you will stop believing in me.”

Defending criticism of being a pro-business government, Muscat said he felt proud to be described so: “It is the private sector that creates and provides jobs and we will continue supporting the private industry.”

Saying the government wanted to push a culture of savings, Muscat said the government will incentivise those who will plan for their future and save.

The political activity was also addressed by deputy prime minister Louis Grech, Health Minister Konrad Mizzi and candidate for the MEP elections Joseph Cuschieri.

Referring to the PN’s slogan for MEP campaign, Grech said “a better Malta” was the reason the electorate should vote for the Labour candidates.

“We have an Opposition with an expired message that makes it irrelevant to this country. It has led a campaign based on fear with the aim of creating doubts. But this will not stop us… we are here to be judged,” Grech said.

The deputy prime minister added that while the government understood those individuals who feel they have been let down because an injustice had not yet been addressed, yet voting for the PN was not the answer.

“I understand some of you may feel hurt, but I don’t understand choosing to award those who inflicted injustices. Only under a Labour government can these injustices be addressed,” he added.

Reiterating the Labour Party’s goal to win the majority of votes during next Saturday’s elections, Grech said the government deserved to win.

“You will give us the majority of votes because this government implemented over 30% of its electoral manifesto. And that is no mean feat,” he said.