'MLP has losers' policy'

The Nationalist Party has great projects for Malta because it believes in its people but the Labour Party has a losers' policy and will mean disaster for the country, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told supporters yesterday.

Speaking at the Granaries in Floriana in the PN's penultimate mass meeting before the country goes to the polls on Saturday, Dr Gonzi said Malta and its citizens deserved much more than an alternative party that is proposing nothing new but a few ideas that will only bring about uncertainty and instability.

Throughout his 90-minute long speech, Dr Gonzi said that the four weeks of electoral campaigning have brought out the big differences between the PN and the MLP.

"Today week a decision would have been taken on who is going to govern the country for the next five years. The destiny of our country and the future of youth and children would have been sealed," he said.

Over the past four weeks the PN was busy explaining its proposals and its ambitious plans for the next five years. It has also been explaining and is proud of the results it managed to get for the country. "We are returning a stronger, nicer, smarter country," he said.

On the other hand, the MLP is still looking for the new beginning it is proposing. "Four years ago I told you to judge me by what I do rather than what I say. But the same applies for (Labour leader) Alfred Sant. We have great ambitions for this country but the MLP is the party of uncertainty and doubts," he said.

He continued: "The PN is not scared of challenges but the MLP is continuously saying no to everything. The MLP is embarrassed of the 22 months it spent in office during which it introduced 33 taxes and continued deepening Malta's deficit. You have a choice between two parties but which of the two leaders is capable of leading this country? The choice is clear."

Dr Gonzi warned party supporters and the electorate not to take things for granted and that, with the MLP in office, the results Malta attained over the past four years cannot be guaranteed.

The Prime Minister said the country does not need a party leader who does not have confidence in it. "Malta needs stability and certainty and not someone who spent a whole campaign throwing mud rather than telling us about his plans," he said.

With regard to the claims that the PN was planning to introduce fees on health services, Dr Gonzi said he could give Dr Sant another dozen reports on the sector but what was most important was that none of what they proposed has been introduced and neither would they be.

Speaking about the €855 million Malta will be getting from the EU, Dr Gonzi said the MLP has no idea how they are going to invest them.

"We saw that the MLP and Alfred Sant always had a policy of losers: Reception class, no to EU and now the 2010 surplus target which is not a priority.

The MLP already gave up on Retaining healthy finances and, instead, came up with the surcharge proposal which is irresponsible because no one knows how much oil is going to cost in the future.

And then they will turn to housing, stipends and health. Be very careful," he warned supporters.

On the contrary, with the PN in office people will have more money to spend because they will be paying less income tax and no departure tax and no succession duty, among others.

Concluding he said: "During the electoral campaign, Malta witnessed a comedy of errors which became a tragedy for Malta. We witnessed mud-slinging campaigns and allegations about everyone but no concrete proposals on where the country is going. This is the moment of truth. We have to make the right choice and show that everything is possible."