[WATCH] ‘I voted in favour’ – Simon Busuttil on Franco Debono’s election ban

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil told the media this evening that he voted in favour of the executive council's decision to ban rebel MP Franco Debono from contesting the coming election on the PN ticket, when asked whether the Nationalist Party should reconcile with the dissident MPs.

Busuttil, a contender for the PN deputy leadership contest, said he was present for the executive meeting that banned Debono, Jesmond Mugliett and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando from contesting on the PN ticket, after having voted against the government whip's orders.

Busuttil's overtures for reconciliation with Debono had been met with a quick affirmation from the PN that its position on Debono would hold. Earlier this month, the PN MEP admitted he wasn't against reconciliation with Debono.

"I voted in favour of the decision," Busuttil stated today. "In no way did I request that the decision be reversed, or attempted to have it reversed or wish for its reversal."

Busuttil also defended statements he made earlier today on TVAM, that the PN's electoral manifesto - which he is authoring - would be unveiled only once the election is announced.

Asked to explain the inconsistency between the PN's attacks on Labour's lack of electoral proposals despite its own resistance in publishing its own proposals, Busuttil insisted the difference was that voters knew where they stood with the PN. "The electorate knows that during the past four years we created jobs and broke records. On the other hand the Labour party says nothing about the future."

He added that he was proud to be responsible for the electoral programme: "Until we publish it, you still know where you stand with us."

Also present for the press conference was Finane Minister Tonio Fenech - Busuttil's rival for the deputy leadership contest. Together with the executive council president Marthese Portelli, Fenech and Busuttil held a press conference to insist that the PL promises would only translate into "new taxes".

Fenech has already received 130 nominations for the election - nominations that also include ministers. Busuttil however insisted that he was unfazed by the open support of government ministers for Fenech's candidature. "It does not bother me that the ministers will be supporting Tonio. I would have been surprised if it were otherwise," Busuttil said.

Replying to MaltaToday's questions on what new changes will their election as deputy leader bring to the party, Fenech said: "The PN is the motor of change. In itself it brings change. That is we  focus on the economy, education, and work as the means through which to bring this transformation about."

"Obviously in no legislature can one do everything, however we remain the party of change. One must give space for this change to take place."

On his part, Busuttil said that he "perfectly agreed" with Fenech's statement. He added that the Labour Party was the party that consistently opposed change: "It opposed Malta's EU membership, the liberalisation of commerce, the setting up of local councils and the Delimara power station extension project."

Fenech also reiterated the party line on Debono, Mugliett and Pullicino Orlando's ban. "I agree with the decision taken by the Executive, because at the time when they were needed, they weren't there," Fenech said.

He added that the Executive Council's decision "sends a clear message that we are a team that provides stability and certainty... at the end of the day they were not expelled from the PN, and there is nothing stopping them from militating within the party."