Call for common front to retain STMicroelectronics

The new leader of the Malta Labour Party, Joseph Muscat, said yesterday he would be speaking to the Prime Minister in order to put up a common front so that STMicrolectronics will not close its plant at Kirkop.

Addressing a rally at the party headquarters in Ħamrun, Dr Muscat said he was ready to cooperate with the government in the national interest, highlighting the thirst for this new style of politics and saying that the first talks with the government would revolve around keeping STMicroelectronics on the island.

Dr Muscat said he had no intention of politicising, or hindering the issue, but wanted to help and create a national front. The MLP will speak clearly about its ideas and will declare where it agrees or disagrees with the stand taken by the government. Ultimately, one had to understand that failure would not mean a loss to the government and a victory for the MLP but a defeat for Malta.

The MLP expected the government to keep its word and would not fool around with the future of the workers at Malta Shipyards. During the electoral campaign Lawrence Gonzi had given an assurance to shipyard workers and now he had no option but to do what he had promised.

The same applied to prices. The prevailing international situation was already there when the Prime Minister made his pledges and he should now deliver on what he promised. Otherwise, the MLP would remind him of such pledges, Dr Muscat said.