MLP willing to lead people in fight against tariffs
The Labour Party is ready to respond to the people’s call and lead them in their fight against the proposed water and electricity tariffs, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
Addressing supporters in Għaxaq, Dr Muscat said that the proposed tariffs were a big shock for the economy and society and he appealed to the government to back off since the new rates would break the economy, the country and its families.
The situation was leading to the creation of a new social coalition and “if the government doesn’t stop the Labour Party will respond to call being made by constituted bodies and the public to lead them in this matter”.
He also said that Labour would not stop at criticising but would also see what could be done.
This situation, Dr Muscat said, was clearly showing the two political faces of the government.
For in last year’s budget, the Prime Minister had said that if he increased tariffs he would be able to remove the surcharge but in doing so the government would be taking the Maltese for a ride. He had said that a strong leadership required another approach. The government, Dr Muscat said, was now behaving very differently.
The government’s proposals, he said, had led to an unprecedented situation whereby all constituted bodies were against the proposals.
Other governments facing the same crisis were seeing how to put their hands in their pockets and fork out the money but the Maltese government was itself creating a crisis.
It wanted money from the people to subsidise its failure at Enemalta.
The Labour leader also touched upon the investigations about the hacking of computer systems at MITTS saying that although the minister did not initially want to comment because of investigations, he later prejudiced these investigations saying the allegations were a pack of lies.
Dr Muscat said he was still waiting for the government’s reaction on the allegation that former Labour leader Alfred Sant, Labour MP George Vella and deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia were being spied upon. Situations which could undermine the country’s parliamentary democracy needed to be cleared.
The MPs who were spied upon should be informed instantly and told when their e-mail was hacked and what type of information was taken.
The meeting was also addressed by Labour MP Michael Falzon who spoke on immigration pointing out that the MLP was not against burden sharing but wanted to be sure that this would not be just on paper.
The party was not racist but the country’s circumstances needed to be addressed.
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31 Comments
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J. Schembri
Oct 6th 2008, 17:17
“if the government doesn’t stop the Labour Party will respond to call being made by constituted bodies and the public to lead them in this matter"
It seems that the constituted bodies do not like the situation where we have to pay for what we consume, in fact nobody likes to pay taxes , so why not protest?
The MLP now has started to attend the MCESD meetings and is considering and assuming that now it has a social coalition.The MCESD worked well without the MLP for many years .What is Joseph exactly proposing, that the middle class finances the services of the wealthy ,through subsidies?What is the stand Dr Gorg Abela is taking in this forum?
People like me are sick and tired subsidising other people's comforts and white elephants.
JM is seeing a coalition in sight , I hope it is not like the TERRIMOT he promised in the MLP
I. M. Dingli
Oct 5th 2008, 23:41
Dear J Martinelli, it is the PN which is in Government and not MLP therefore it is futile to expect solutions from them. Suggestions can be thrown at nauseam but not having the tools to implement them … well… leads to nothing.
Promises cannot be made (even in writing) and not seen to since that would be quite a low blow to the same people who have elected you in Government. And this cannot be denied by you or any PN supporter.
Alison Grech
Oct 5th 2008, 23:03
@Martinelli
Given the way that Gonzi is flushing everything down the drain, your questions might not take long to be answered. However one does not win an argument by asking more questions, and further more to the wrong ppl, one only does that when he is short of convincing ideas and solutions. If you are an open minded person with a real interest in what is going on here, then you should look around and see who is doing what. Why don't you turn towards your gov and ask him WHY at this stage, and only at this stage and not before election, is he forcing malta into this alley?
Andrew Cumbo
Oct 5th 2008, 23:02
Now I believe more when before last election, MLP said that fuel surcharge is unfair, and we are paying more than we shall be paying. Now that oil price is going down, P.N. government is making statements to justify these costly tariffs. If Enemalta have financial problems, it is this government that driven this entity to a ruin. Way back, when they build M’Xlokk power station, they didn’t met the estimated budget, and with the money spent, it was supposed to be the solely energy provider for this country to reduce energy cost, but still our country depends from Marsa power station.
Always the same story we are the ones to make sacrifice, and with lack of consideration they say that these are reasonable charges, and try to make us conscious that is for the national interest.
And meanwhile we pay more for our national interest; they keep spending with no limits in all ministerial entities.
l Galea
Oct 5th 2008, 22:01
"It is exactly for that reason that I rebut asinine arguments by ill informed people"
Such as your arguments Mr Martinelli?
If you were well informed about Malta and not have blue political blinds I am sure that you would not continue to make your asinine arguments which have been rebutted not by me, but by a good number of other commentators.
Emmanuel Zammit
Oct 5th 2008, 21:49
We are waking up better late then every!!!
We should do much more then writen!!...the trade unions....have to do there Full Job Now.
E Gatt
Oct 5th 2008, 21:35
According to the 2006 published accounts, 1798 people were employed by Enemalta at a cost of around €34 million in 2005.
Will Dr Joseph Muscat agree to reducing the workforce at Enemalta and saving a few millions from our bills?
J Martinelli
Oct 5th 2008, 20:42
@ V Micallef
Good, now what's your point?
@ I Galea
When you lose an argument, you remind me that I live far away from Malta. It is exactly for that reason that I rebut asinine arguments by ill informed people.
It is OK for my gasoline (petrol prices) to go up and down whenever the price of oil changes, but not OK for Maltese residents.
It is OK for natural gas prices to go through the roof - and I HAVE to heat my home for eight of twelve months a year - but it is not OK for an increase of LP gas in Malta.
It is OK for my taxes to go up but not yours. Who ever elected a government to have their taxes increased?
It is OK for me to have to wait for hours in an ER but not for you. A week ago a patient admitted to emergency died on a stretcher in a hospital corridor and was not found (dead) until after several hours had passed.
It's OK for me to pay property taxes but not in Malta
Sure we have good wages, but our expenses are much higher than yours.
J Martinelli
Oct 5th 2008, 20:24
@ I M Dingli
There is no such thing as a perfect government - I never describe the PN as perfect as much as you and others can never describe a Labour government as perfect. Who is seeking perfection, here?
But let me ask you a question based on MLP promises during the last election campaign:
1. Would an MLP government have cut the surcharge in half?
2. Would a Labour government have continued subsidies to the shipyards?
3. Would an MLP government have proceeded with the 'Repeater class'?
4. Would a Labour government attract foreign investment like we have seen lately?
5. Would a Labour government prefer Labour sympathizers and trust them in top civil service positions as per the much publicized list 'of those we have already identified to fill sensitive positions'?
6. Would a Labour government proceed with expanding the Delimara Power station and seek greener generation methods?
7. Would the MLP put the EU skepticism to rest and convince their supporters that it is OK to accept the Union and look towards the future rather than the misguided past?
It is I who is waiting for some positive suggestions from you and the MLP not vice-versa.
V.Micallef
Oct 5th 2008, 18:39
@ Martinelli
Have you ever ever TRIED to learn how to discuss a point with other citizens? If not, when are you going to start?
m briffa
Oct 5th 2008, 18:17
It is not Joseph muscat's job to lead the people on the tariffs issue but it is the Trade Union's job. Till now the Social Partners have done their job. We do not need politicians to meddle in our struggles anymore. We can do them ourselves with our unions
l Galea
Oct 5th 2008, 18:15
@J Martinelli
Maybe gonzipn ideas are good for you living in a far-away country, but they are NOT good for us. It's not that we do not like them, but simply that they are NO good.
They impact US not YOU.
Seeing that you appear to have so many good??? suggestions, I suggest that you try to get a seat in the Canadian Parliament.
Rita Spiteri
Oct 5th 2008, 18:09
Tax cuts now that's a good idea
Big handout to the dockyard workers that's another good idea
doing nothing or practically nothing about illegal immigrants yes nice idea
promising five energy saving lamps now that's a BRIGHT idea
I. M. Dingli
Oct 5th 2008, 18:04
J Martinelli, you criticise the MLP in this way
‘But then one never knows from leader to the next, from one day to the next, which direction the MLP is taking, how can one respect, let alone trust them?’
Based on your same line of thought, should I not trust the present Government, aka PN, for the various promises which are NEVER kept? Should I accept all the excuses thrown at me? Should I say PN does everything wrong like you do with regards to the MLP?
Give us some positive input if you don’t mind and not just biased comments with no value whatsoever.
Rocco Cauchi
Oct 5th 2008, 17:56
May I call for some lateral thinking, please. The pen is mighter than the sword just as ideas are more forceful than empty words seeking political advantage.
We have to start thinking of the millions of barrels of oil deposits under our seas which will render our economy millions of euro once extracted.
What we have to set our minds on is how to start 'exploiting' this money NOW to serve our needs for a decade or two before the real money will start rolling in.
It is a matter for financiers, economists and experts to discuss and what readily comes to a mind to a layman like me is a huge holding company which will take in both oil exploration/ extraction and current energy needs and green energy developments in hand with borrowed capital, shares etc. Government rebates/ incentives could be addressed to these funds entitling utility account holders individually to them.
On incentives, not only utility holders need them but mainly government who have taken oil extraction too dormantly. What if government were to impose some sort of incentive on itself to show its good will, by way of pumping in money into this holding company?
J Martinelli
Oct 5th 2008, 17:50
@ I Galea
Dr. Gonzi has good ideas. It is you and others who do not like them. So in your mind they must be wrong!
@ Pete Williams
I never said that the NP can never do anything wrong - you are saying that the NP never seems to do anything right. If the MLP has solutions, why not come forward and present them as more viable than the governments?
@ the rest
Those who are demanding "action", may I ask exactly what they are proposing? If the MLP can do better and tell the rest of the nation, how and at what cost, then I shall respect them. But then one never knows from leader to the next , from one day to the next, which direction the MLP is taking, how can one respect, let alone trust them?
If the MLP are saving their secret ideas just in case they find themselves governing in four years time, why hold the nation at ransom for so long? We need practical solutions now not four years down the road - and that is not even guaranteed.
Is this the MLP's brand of patriotism?
G Mangion
Oct 5th 2008, 17:49
@ J Martinelli
The mlp leader j.m, just have no proposal to make as usual !!
but again that is the mlp' leader problem,
people want's answers from j.m and not only talk, !!!
Same Old mlp - LOL, Stagun Gdid my foot !!!
I. M. Dingli
Oct 5th 2008, 17:34
J Martinelli, here we have our living standards at stake and not that of the Canadians!
If you want to give your input please try to be constructive and remove the blue blinkers.
Rita Spiteri
Oct 5th 2008, 17:29
@J Martinelli
Why are you always going on about the 'floating voters' Things should be done for the benefit of Malta and the Maltese people (preferably living here not just coming here to vote) not to get the most votes
Pete Williams
Oct 5th 2008, 17:18
@ J. Martinelli
If the MLP is the anti-everything party of Malta, you my friend, without any doubt, are the pro-government, PN-can-do-no-wrong, hail-hail Gonzi, foreign contributor of this news forum.
l Galea
Oct 5th 2008, 17:13
@J Martinelli
You dare speak of the anti-everything party when you are the perfect example of an anti-everything MLP does whatever it is?
Why don't you give gonzipn some illuminating ideas how to solve all our problems that do not involve more taxes on the Maltese citizens and on how to solve the problem of illegal migration?
Mark Piscopo
Oct 5th 2008, 17:04
Gd Luck Joseph!!1
J Martinelli
Oct 5th 2008, 16:57
The anti-everything Party of Malta has spoken. One of its leaders has declared that it is ready to lead people in their fight against the proposed tariffs.
What a relief! But before bothering to organize such a people's rally, why does he not make his own proposals?
One of them could be that his party will make up the difference between the subsidized rates and the real cost of the fuel needed to generate electricity. That's one way of tipping the scales of the 'floating voters' and maybe get elected to govern after an absence of twenty years (save for 22 months).
The more statements like the one Joseph delivered yesterday, the more proof that he is just a carbon copy of Alfred Sant. He is a master of stirring the pot but makes no contribution to the stew.
The bottom line is very simple even for those with low mathematical skills - one cannot buy a commodity unless they have the right amount to cover its cost. No one should expect the government to hand out subsidies for anything which was erroneously subsidized in the past and in the same breath complain about deficits.
Cheap talk doesn't solve anything
joyce aquilina
Oct 5th 2008, 16:43
now we are talking sense,maybe i will start beliving in the MLP again.
co on joseph, now is your chance to show us that you are differant from the one before you
V.Micallef
Oct 5th 2008, 16:26
I hope the Labour leader will follow his words with action. Dr Sant had maintained an "appeasement" period after the rough times due to the ill-advised actions of a bunch of bums. The PN used this period to take the MLP and the rest of the Maltese for a ride. Dr Muscat has no obligation to continue Dr Sant's policy but should go for it. The people have suffered enough.
Lourdes Vella
Oct 5th 2008, 15:56
About time the Maltese says "Issa Daqshekk!" to this government's arrogance and gross incompetency. Whoever takes to the streets is bound to get the majority's support.
Stephan Camilleri
Oct 5th 2008, 15:47
So we are undoing the ship yards so that the goverment does not fork out tax payers money, and hence money to the drains. Now the tax payers are in need, so Mr gooverment fork out our money to Enemalta, this won,t be money to the drains such as the shipyards have been all these years.
Anthony Roberts
Oct 5th 2008, 15:22
Action is what we need, not just talk, and at last we have someone who is willing to do both. We cannot continue to let the Government do what it likes without voicing our concerns. I am concerned mainly for the elderly. They are the ones who are going to suffer the most during the winter as they will be too scared to use their electricity. I have been watching the situation closely and I know that other governments are bending over backwards to take the stress away from the people; unlike President Bush who wanted the American people to put their hands in their pockets. At least he had a referendum, which was something. May be Gonzi thinks he's Bush!
Rita Spiteri
Oct 5th 2008, 15:22
More of the same bla bla bla, whether it's blue or it's red it's still a load of rubbish
P. Schembri
Oct 5th 2008, 15:04
If Labour was in Government, bet your bottom eurocent that by now the people have taken to the streets as they did in 1998. But of course it's the Nationalist government in power, so please not much ado, and don't make waves. It's in the national interest! Halluna.
Antoine Grima
Oct 5th 2008, 13:56
We're waking up are we ????????????