We will be the underdogs – Joseph Muscat

Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said that he wanted to bring back the middle class to the country which was first initiated by former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff.

“The middle class continued to strive under Eddie Fenech Adami but was once again broken down under GonziPN. It will be a great challenge for us to rebuild it within our society,” Muscat said.

Asked which district he would be contesting, Muscat said that he it would be the second district or Cottonera area, while the other still remained to be seen.

“We believe that after 31 years, the party should contest where the Labour Party originated from and give historical justice by contesting in the Cottonera area,” Muscat said.

Muscat has never contested in the general elections but had successfully contested the MEP elections in 2008.

Muscat said that Labour’s “safe government” will be honest and remain so during its time in office and will give the “best cabinet ever seen”.

“People contesting the elections on behalf of the Labour Party do not need anything. There is nothing to gain. Want to give something back. We are the underdog in these elections. We have lost six elections and have not won the majority since 1976. 1996 was not a majority. The reality is, we have a lot of work to do. No one owes us anything. We will give you what you need,” Muscat said.

Answering delegate questions during the 2012 Labour Party annual general conference, Muscat pledged a government which would bring beneficial change.

“The Labour Party is looking for people who share our ideals. We won’t look at surnames or where you come from or what you have voted in the past. We will only acknowledge your beliefs and ideals. To those sceptics out there, this is one movement where everyone counts and will continue to be valuable to the Labour government,” Muscat said.

Muscat said that a new government would not simply be provide a “lip-service” but would be based on fundamental values, social mobility and equal opportunities.

“We won’t discriminate against how, where or when you were born or your sexual orientation. It is time that sexual orientation is no longer discriminated against. A new government will be safe for everyone including those nationalist supporters who simply want a change and those who don’t. We will not be a vindictive or vengeful government,” Muscat said.

In response to a standing ovation at the start of the conference, Muscat said that there was no stability in Malta and the turbulent times experienced where affecting employment making it scarce and uncertain.

“We have simply moved from one crisis to another. We have a constitutional crisis and while we have no control over what happens in parliament, whatever happens, the economic crisis will still remain,” Muscat said.

Offering national stability, Muscat called on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to consider the nation’s best interest in his decision making rather than focusing on his party’s interest.

“I admit that the Prime Minister focused on the nation’s interest during the Libyan crisis last year and acknowledge that his decisions were sound, but he needs to do the same now,” Muscat said.

Muscat said the difference between him and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was that he would never consider a €500 increase and could guarantee a “safe government” to enable stability.

A Labour government would be focusing on economic growth and sustainable debt says Muscat: “We have the most economically competent team available to guarantee fiscal discipline. I’m not saying more competent than the government’s team since you don’t need much to be more competent than that team.”

The opposition leader also said that the government will further work with private businesses to “unleash the potential for economic growth” and will invest in education as not simply bricks of a school but in teachers who are “the experts in education”.

“Education is not an expense, but an investment. And to those University students who are scared that a Labour government will remove stipends, I say this. I am a product of the stipend system. It gave results and we will continue to strengthen the system,” Muscat said.

Muscat also added that the energy sector will be heavily invested in to reduce electricity and water bills as always pledged by the Labour Party.

Small businesses and pensions will not fall victim to government bureaucracy, says Muscat, and the new government would improve opportunities for business while ensuring improved pension systems.

Muscat also discussed plans for local council reforms where several councils whose work has gone unappreciated, are being overshadowed by some which have become “an extension to the bureaucratic system”.

“This also goes for the warden system. Everything is being taken by just two companies. A new government will be sure to change the system so funds will go to the councils and not a small group of people,” Muscat said.