Labour leader to be tough on water and electricity bills

The Labour leader promised this morning he will be taking a very strong position in Parliament next week on the water and electricity bills and the irresponsible manner in which they were introduced.

Speaking during a party activity to mark Woman’s Day, Joseph Muscat said:

“I anticipate that, in the next few days... it will be announced that percentage points from water and electricity bills will be deducted from now on.

“May I remind Lawrence Gonzi that the price of oil has long dropped and the bill deductions ought to be backdated,” he said to applause.

Dr Muscat also said that as the MEP elections approached it was time for the political parties to meet to discuss how the sixth seat would be elected.

The PL was open for discussions but would not accept a situation where this person was selected “back stage” or by Parliament. It had to be a choice of the people.

He spoke about the need of a national effort to ensure that domestic violence was eliminated and provide couples who lost a child with psychological support.

Dr Muscat noted that although Mater Dei was equipped to carry out IVF, there was no legislation in place. And before such legislation was drafted, he said, there was the need to dialogue and listen to what all, including the Church, had to say. A decision that was good for everyone and guided by ethics and reality had to then be taken.

Turning to the issue of car registration tax, called on people who bought a car after May 1, 2004, to go to the party’s headquarters on Saturday to give their details and be part of the case to be opened by the Labour Party against the government in court.