No details yet on Muscat’s pledge on power tariff cuts

Labour leader Joseph Muscat says he will cut down water and electricity rates if elected to government, but maintains he will only unveil details when the time is right.

“In a changing world, considering the eurozone and the fiscal situation, I can’t bind myself to certain details today. I can’t change my position in 10 months time,” Dr Muscat tells The Sunday Times in an interview today.

Insisting his party has clear plans to slash the tariffs based on technical preparations, the Labour leader says his party will eventually say how it intends making up for the shortfall in revenue.

In a wide-ranging interview, the Labour leader says he expects Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to carry out his pre-electoral pledge to cut the maximum income tax rate in next week’s Budget or else admit it was a false promise.

Dr Muscat constantly attacks the Prime Minister’s leadership style, describing him as “extremist” and “weak” and of being more interested in keeping his team together than tackling society’s needs.

During the interview, carried out last Friday before the parliamentary vote of no-confidence in the Transport Minister, the Labour leader says he has personally approached more people who will eventually declare their candidature for his party.

“By the election, people will see a new team with massive capabilities, people we’ve never dreamt of seeing in politics, blended with experience,” he says.