PN in parliament ‘can run, but cannot hide’ – Muscat

Adds PN statement at 1:16pm

Labour Leader Joseph Muscat warned the Nationalist Government that while "it can run" from the current ongoing parliamentary saga which sees it facing yet another no confidence motion, he insisted that "it cannot hide."

The past week was characterised by intense debate within the Parliamentary House Business Committee regarding when the government will allow Labour's motion regarding the now-suspended cark-park privatisation process and rogue MP Franco Debono's no confidence motion against  Austin Gatt to be debated.

The issue is now in Speaker Michael Frendo's hands, as Government's proposal for the motions to be debated after the budget was rejected by the Opposition.

Speaking during a political activity in Pembroke, Muscat said that parliament somehow managed to hit another obstacle only weeks after the summer recess ended "despite the assurances we've heard that its business as usual."

He however denied that Labour has a hand in heightening the crisis, insisting that the Opposition is simply "doing [its] duty". This is in spite of its attempts to fast-track Franco Debono's motion of no confidence to force the Nationalist Government's hand.

Muscat instead said that the cause of the current parliamentary crisis is "GonziPN's style of management, which has gripped the entirety of the Nationalist Party."

He referenced former PN minister and EU Commissioner John Dalli's accusations that the PN has fallen prey to an apartheid policy, and insisted that the party has become a party of intolerance and double standards.

Dalli was speaking on Bla Agenda on Friday evening.

 "It is no surprise that genuine nationalists are feeling that the Labour party and its movement are the only hope left for the country's progress," Muscat said.

"We are in no rush", Muscat said however, and added that "in time", the Opposition would "do its duty."

Muscat added that despite the crisis it is facing, Nationalist Government is carrying itself with the arrogance of those who still think along the same lines as when it had announced years ago that "we have a majority of five chairs, so we'll do what we want."

That attitude is no more justifiable today than it was back then, Muscat said.

Muscat insisted that the Labour Party in Opposition will be "approaching the next few days with serenity, as we know that this government can ride, it can run, but it cannot hide."

He said that it is the Prime Minister's business when to call an election, saying that "time waits for no man. We know what we have to do. We are determined in our work. We face the future with serenity."

Muscat also said that quality of life among Maltese families were slipping in recent years, and insisted that despite how Government should be working hard to reverse this trend, "it is simply obsessed with clinging to power."

During his address, Muscat insisted that because of its parliamentary woes, the Nationalist Government is not focused on the real problems the country is facing.

"It is focused on votes in parliament. Focused on how to fight one or the other. Focused on who should resign and who should stay. This is not the national agenda," Muscat said.

He insisted that that middle class, and the problems being faced by Maltese families and business are nowhere on the list of the PN Government's priorities

"Every day that Gonzi keeps insisting on keeping  his eyes closed and not recognising the realities the country finds itself in is another day lost for Maltese families and businesses," Muscat said.

Muscat accused Gonzi of allowing himself to be distracted and fail to recognise how unemployment has started to rise again. He argued that "the job employment records that GonziPN was so proud of have evaporated."

"This is the time for serious action. In a situation where the economic situation of the country could improve, we have a government that has loosened the reins, is not concentrating, and is focused on clinging to power," Muscat said.

Muscat also praised the government for the way it organised and handled the 5 5 Summit meeting. He said that this shows Malta's commitment towards Mediterranean solidarity and cooperation, and pledged that a new Labour government "would be giving a new impetus towards this goal."

"It is in times like this that partisan politics need to be set aside, as we need to come across as united and as one people when facing foreign leadership," Muscat said.

During his own address, Labour spokesperson for Tourism Gavin Gulia said that St Julians' and Swieqi were left to decay because of petty infighting between the Nationalist-led St Julians' and Swieqi local councils.

He also reiterated Labour's pledge to reduce energy bills, adding that this would benefit tourism business operators as it would reduce their costs and enable them to be more competitive. He insisted that this would ultimately benefit the entire country.

Gulia also said that Labour had "won over" the PN on issues such as the TV satellite issues, and the EU taxation on imported cars issue. He said that in this way, thousands of Euros were returned to the pockets of the people, and insisted that this was "proof of labour's credibility."

In his own address, Labour Candidate Adrian Meli criticised the Nationalist government over how, despite professing itself concerned about the welfare of families, it nevertheless imposed financial burdens on them by means of hiked up utility tariffs, which he said also drove up prices.

Meli also said that despite the PN's emphasis on job creation, unemployment figures have been increasing consistently, and also said government was encouraging the growth of precarious work through its public procurement policies which apply the cheapest-first principle.

He also slammed the government over the mismanagement of public funds. He pointed out how, despite implementing social services cutbacks, it nevertheless splashed out much-needed funds to build a new parliament, a roofless theatre, and the breakwater bridge "to nowhere."

Meli also hit out at government's belated decision to spend additional funds to convert the Delimara power station extension to gas, despite its initial instance on heavy fuel oil.

Also speaking during the event, Labour Candidate and Lawyer Edward Zammit Lewis opened a comprehensive broadside on the Nationalist Party, accusing it of underhandedness, of lack of genuineness in its overtures of honesty and openness, and of undermining constitutionally constituted bodies when they criticise government.

In its reaction the Nationalist Party said Muscat "lacks vision and resorted to the usual empty talk."

The PN statement hit out at Muscat's "doom and pessimism" and said that once again the Labour leader failed to spell out his policies on jobs, education and health.

"Muscat wants your vote but will not say what he will do once elected in government," the PN said, adding that through Parliamentary manoeuvring the PL leader wants to become Prime Minister as soon as possible.

Reiterating that Muscat will freeze wages and place Evarist Bartolo at the helm of education, reminding that Bartolo removed the students' stipends when he was minister in the nineties.

"Labour never was the party of education, when in power it disrupted the the educational system for generations and will do so again."

The PN added that when in power Labour, led by Muscat, Karmenu Vella, Alex Sceberras Trigona, Joe Debono Grech, Evarist Bartolo and Leo Brincat will "create unemployment and create chaos."

It also said that with these people at the helm of the country, peace of mind will only be a nice dream.

"This is not the change you crave for. The future Labour wants will take us back to the past. Labour won't work," the statement added.