PL ready to present electoral programme if election is called
The Labour Party is prepared to present its electoral programme to the people 'at any time' if a general election is called immediately, Toni Abela, PL deputy leader for party affairs said today.
Speaking about the party's annual general conference, due to open this Thursday, Dr Abela said the conference was scheduled before the current crisis and was business as usual for the party.
However matters would change if a general election was called, and the party would call a meeting of its congress to approve its programme and candidates.
The list of party candidates was 'substantial' Dr Toni Abela said. Many candidates had been approved and the process would continue until a general election was called.
He said there had been no contact with the PN since the crisis started.
The general conference continues up to Sunday week. This Sunday, party leader Joseph Muscat will take part in a question-and-answer session with the delegates.
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Alfred Falzon
Jan 11th 2012, 10:35
The PL has been caught unaware and consequently unprepared for an early election.
It needs to mark time so as to draft a valid electoral programme but can only do so by striking a deal with the Nationalist minority Government!
Such a stratagem might not be necessarily understood and condoned by the Party rank and file hungry for power and eager to come out of the political wilderness!
Yet the PL leadership might opine that it's, after all, to the Party's benefit and must be therefore adhered to!
The PL needs above all to save face after all the promises of "a brilliant future" it has made to the electorate trying to please God and the devil at the same time!
But the fact is that there are hard trimes ahead and the global economy still leaves much to be desired.
One cannot work miracles, so promises are only made to be broken!
That's politics according to some!
F. Pisani
Jan 11th 2012, 09:01
@A Micallef
Yes it might be the case, after all MLP has done more than a decade in Opposition am I wrong? But MLP is yelling out election, election since 2008 and not 2 seconds after Debono misbehavior in the classroom, they were yelling for the headmaster to go for a vote of confidence in parliament.
A. Mizzi
Jan 11th 2012, 07:48
...... with the Honoraria issue temporarily suspended , on hold and frozen by Dr. Gonzi ... till after the next general election!
F. Pisani
Jan 10th 2012, 23:05
Do we really have come to this. not 2 seconds these people have a wiff that an election is on the horizon that they are already prepared for it. and than they say that they are not in a hurry! what if they were than?
A Micallef
Jan 10th 2012, 23:47
being prepared does not mean your in a hurry....
Joe Portelli
Jan 10th 2012, 22:49
PL have had Plenty of time to contemplate - it would be a surprising heading to read - PL are not ready, but in the end the public will decide if they were ready afterall!
michael catania
Jan 10th 2012, 21:26
Reading a number of conservative comments and i see the same comments for one and all.Maybe the conservative HQ have switched their brainwashing machine. Its as if their master have instructed these morons what to say ie the PL is not ready , the country needs the PN and so on. All I know is that the MLP did so much good for the Maltese citizens while in Government during the 70's and 80' that it took these bunch of conservatives 25 years to dismantle and send Malta back to the dark ages with all the poverty we see around us.
Anthony Galea
Jan 11th 2012, 08:42
I have read several intelligent and wise comments from Labour supporters on this thread, but reading yours makes me wonder who is the truly brainwashed...
Matthew P. Zammit
Jan 10th 2012, 19:02
Hearing the leader's previous comments, I doubt this so much!!
G Mangion
Jan 10th 2012, 18:23
Mela wasal iz - Zmien li jm jizvela is sireti ta lejleit l' elelzjoijiet , tnaqqis bin nofs ta Dawl u ilma , ligi tal Kera ,
ecc, ecc, Il Poplu dawn it twegibit irrid u mux paroli biex jirbah vil - Voti !!! sa jejdila jm Malta trid Twegiba Imedjata !
G. Mangion
M. Bezzina
Jan 10th 2012, 20:43
dont be funny!!Dahhaqtu bizzejjed issa!!Anzi izejjed!!!
J Busuttil
Jan 10th 2012, 18:17
L-Orrizont Yestarday: " Aaron Farrugia jinħatar segretarju tal-manifest elettorali Laburista "
Lest jew mhux lest??????
Paul Baldacchino
Jan 10th 2012, 18:01
B`halissa il-PN qed isuquna go bahar ta maltemp, u kulhadd qed jaqla....kef jehdu it tmun il PL ghall gol blatt insibu ruhna.
Fenech MD
Jan 10th 2012, 17:25
Forsi ghalhekk il-PN ma jridx imur ghall-elezzjoni, ghax m'ghandu xejn ippreparat.
j brincat
Jan 10th 2012, 17:20
@Vanja Galea
"I still believe that Malta needs PN in Government. PL are not prepared at all"
AND we have seen how ready was GonziNM - balbuljata wara l-ohra!
(jb)
silvio loporto
Jan 10th 2012, 17:13
Am I the only one who is seeing a lot of similarity between Gonzi and Franco?
On one hand we have Franco who thinks he is the only one capable of saving democracy,
On the other hand we have Gonzi who thinks that he is the only one capable of taking Malta out of the crisis that is facing us this year.
They should both call it a day and let us decide as to who would be best to lead us in these difficult times.
May the best man win.
Mariano Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 17:07
why not a coalition goverment...most countries including uk is in coalition goverment and it works very well. uk david cameron didnt need a coalition goverment and they formed it anyway for the good of the country. why cant malta do it or labour wont do it...dont labour want the good of the people and the country???
Thomas Mifsud
Jan 10th 2012, 16:56
Lets welcome a new Prime Minister. Tired of this old fat guy whose been lying to us all the time, named Lawrencei. Dr. Muscat, take charge of this country and lead us forward, not for your interests like GonziPN, but for the people's interest.
Vanja Galea
Jan 10th 2012, 16:48
I still believe that Malta needs PN in Government. PL are not prepared at all. Just listen to Joseph Muscat last Sunday and yesterday. He knows that he is not capable to handle the current economic situation and also knows that he can't keep his promise regarding the water and electricity bills. PL will do nothing different than this Government to keep the country going during this eurozone crisis. And knowing all this ... better the devil you know!!
Anthony Pace Gouder
Jan 10th 2012, 17:12
Gonzipn has been ,for the last three years , unprepared . Proof is the recent re-shuffle!
Joseph Brincat
Jan 10th 2012, 17:15
BATTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
SO YOU ADMIT THAT THE >PN< IS THE DEVIL ???
THANK YOU
Mario Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 17:18
The devil we know promised us heaven on earth before the 2008 election, he promised us a reduction in the income tax rates, he promised job security to airmalta employees, he promised a state of the art public transport,he also promised that the water and electricity bills will go down, he promised a gas power station,he promised a surplus deficit in 2010, he promised to listen to the people,but all his promises are gone with the wind. So yes come next election I will surely give my trust to J Muscat.
David Magro
Jan 10th 2012, 17:56
Ms.Galea, I presume that you are a die hard nationalist and no matter what you will vote for PN...even if PN increase the Electricity bills by 200% I have a hitch that you will still go for PN. Open your eyes and see the interesting times we are heading to together with Joseph, a person full of bright , innovative ideas.
D. Xerri
Jan 10th 2012, 18:28
PL are not prepared at all - Bdiet il-Kampanja tal-Biza Since the present government is dealing with the problems in his own party than doing what he should do !
About the Water and Electricity Bills Im sure it wont be worse then having a Prime Minister coming up saying to everyone with arrogance - U jien se Nivvota bil-Qalb ! in favour of the high electricity bills knowing most families are hurt !
During this Eurozone Crisis which havent started yesterday or last month as PN want to make it look - Best thing to do is get this country out of the unstable position this government has led us to with his stubborness and arrogance of Him and his Inner Core with a strategy to hold on to power at all cost !
And as for the devil you know - You can keep the devil you know - Im sure most maltese would want more than that given the chance to choose since they`ve had more than enough !
Mr Tony Busuttil
Jan 10th 2012, 18:46
Diska antika Vanja, tahseb li l-PN jista jmexxi b'dan il Prim Ministru?
Coalition? is soluzzjoni elezzjoni. fl-1998 Fenech Adami kaxkar lill Sant ghal elezzjoni. Tajba din mela meta il PN ikun fl-inkwiet ikun irrid l-ghajnuna tal Pl jew inkela Konsensus. Elezzjoni.
R. Gauci
Jan 10th 2012, 18:55
Meta ssemmi PN u kapacita` fl-ekonomija fl-istess linja tkun qed idahhak in-nies bik, l-unika haga li jaf rigward l-ekonomija l-PN hi sellef u rtokka l-figuri tal-budget, 2 affarijiet li issa ma jistghax jaghmel ghax il-gurdien fl-ahhar inqabad mill-qattus, qattus li jismu UE.
Peter Saliba
Jan 10th 2012, 19:36
I still believe that Malta does not need PN in Government anymore. PN are outdated and obsessed with power at all. Just listen to Lawrence Gonzi last week. He knows that he is not capable to handle democracy with the current issues including the current economic situations and also knows that he can't keep his promise regarding lowering the water and electricity bills. PN will do nothing different than they are already doing... that is ruining the democracy in this country. And knowing all this... let's change the devil ONCE AND FOR ALL!!
Jay Aquilina
Jan 10th 2012, 19:43
are your friends my friends? or vice versa? NO so you don't know if the LP and JM are prepared or not until we see them in the helm of this country, remember what EFA said in 87? tuna cans u din ghada tghodd ghall lum ukoll
victor caruana
Jan 10th 2012, 16:42
Why call elections now....we are having a hell of a good time....some show their exam cerificates....others like emerituses brag of 'jigi l-ewwel fil-matrikola' and others ad dirittura copy during their exams...and get promoted to booth. Veru Gonzipn imfarrak, stordut, imhawwad u bla sens.....inkomplu nidhku
Victor Baldacchino
Jan 10th 2012, 16:18
L-importanti ma jkollux zbalji bhal ta qabel.
Mr Marcel Dingli
Jan 10th 2012, 16:12
I am not saying it should happen now, but please know that in the past we had coalitions between Labour and Nationalist. My only hope is that the cat and dog attitude would stop. This is what really harms the country not a PN or LP government. Envious and greedy persons ought to knock their head against a wall rather than come out with all the dung that they have stored inside themselves.
Charles Massa
Jan 10th 2012, 16:55
Coalitions between PN AND LP. Tal PN dejjem iridu l ghajnuna meta l affirijiet imorru kontra taghhom. Tiftakar Sur Dingli fin 1998 kemm Fenech Adami ghajjat ghal vot ta sfiducja fil gvern. U halluna. Zmien Gonzi u l PN fil gvern spiccaw. Gonzi irid jammetti li ma ghadx ghandu il maggoranza u ghal hekk ghandu isejjah elezzjoni
J. Mizzi
Jan 10th 2012, 17:00
When the PN had 5 more MPs than the PL, they didn't seek any coalition. So why now????
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2012, 17:03
@ Charles Massa. Min talab ghal vot tal fiducja fil gvern fil 1998?
David Magro
Jan 10th 2012, 17:59
Sorry Marcel, we never had a coalition between PN and MLP. The only coalition that there was in 1953 when PN needed the help of the MWP under Boffa following the split with Mintoff who headed the MLP. The only time that that the MLP / PL had made a coalition was with the Consitutionalist party of Strickland back in the 1930`s. Isf the PN lost the majority in Parliament just like the PL lost in 1998 and at that time it had over 13k votes extra and only 1 member in Parliament extra, then let`s go for the General Elections.
Joseph Portelli
Jan 10th 2012, 18:37
@Charles Massa
ghandek zball Charles!!! Fenech Adami qatt m'ghajjat ghal vot ta' sfiducja!!!! dik giet wehidha u ghax ried Alfred Sant meta ghaqqad il-progett tal-kottonera ma vot ta' fiducja! fenech adami qatt ma ressaq vot ta' sfiducja - jekk ma tafx x'gara titkellimx!
Mr A Cachia
Jan 10th 2012, 16:03
Lets see what promises the MLP have in store for us.... To beleive or not to beleive... THAT is the question !
Joseph Brincat
Jan 10th 2012, 17:39
MLP, to believe or not to believe
but not to BELIEVE the PN is a FACT !!!!
D. Xerri
Jan 10th 2012, 18:09
If its COMING from PN - the question is - Look Who`s Talking :~) - Since the PN was always The Champion for Promises, Guarantees and Signed Letters sent to different sectors of the public ! No one can deny that !
Matthew Tanti
Jan 10th 2012, 18:43
Ghal dak li wieghed GonziPN, staqsi lill-haddiema tat-Tarzna, tal-AirMalta, tas-Selmun Palace, ix-xufiera tal-linja, lis-sajjieda, ecc.
“Min iwieghed u ma jwettaqx ma tistax tavdah”
Mr Ernest Vella
Jan 10th 2012, 15:52
nghiduha kif inhi...bla partigjanizmu u bla tlaqliq...jekk il-PL ma jiehux l-elezzjoni li gejja jista jaqbad u jzarma :) il-PL irid jitlifha din l-elezzjoni ghax il-PN m'ghandu xejn x'jitlef....l-iktar li jista, kontra kull pronostiku...li jirbah
D. Xerri
Jan 10th 2012, 18:38
Li qed tghid inti dejjem jinghad - dejjem l-istess kantaliena - ilni nismaghha sa minn dejjem did-diska ! Tista ghall mument tieqaf tahseb biss Ahmar u Blu - u Blu u Ahmar :~)? Dak li ghandu x`jitlef Hu Malta u c-cittadini Maltin u ghawdxin bl`ghazla li ssir ! Partit politiku jipprezenta l-programm tieghu u c-cittadini jaghzlu ghalkemm hafna drabi nghid ukoll li l-programm ta partit jigi mdawwar minn partit iehor kif jigri Malta ghal skopijiet partiggjani - issa l-individwu jrid ikun biex jinduna xi jkun qed jinghad u xi jkun qed jigi ivvintat biex ibezza n-nies !
Ara Tahseb li bhalissa hemm xi Tron tad-Deheb qed jistenna Gvern ipoggi fuqhu b`kaxxa ta Malta ma genbu mimlijja Euros :~) ! Problemi, Dejn u Tahwid hemm tafx habib jigifieri minn ipoggi fuqhu jahdem irid jekk irid jibqa maghzul mill-poplu !
George Calleja
Jan 10th 2012, 15:48
Are we to believe that the PL is not yearning for a general election as soon as possible? Say it to the marines!!
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 16:02
So am I! So, your point?
Wally Vella-Zarb
Jan 10th 2012, 16:11
Why? Looking at the situation objectively, an election now will either consolidate the PN's position (something that it desperately needs, given the uncomfortable situation that they are in) or else convince them that their time is up and that it is high time that they get their house back into some semblance of order. An early general election seems to be the only solution that makes sense - whatever the outcome.
Tim Vella
Jan 10th 2012, 16:18
Erm... they're politicians. Whaddya expect?
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 10th 2012, 16:33
@George.
Yes, The Marines are the GonziPN li marru il-bahar.
Fenech MD
Jan 10th 2012, 16:39
You to tell it to the marines; you should also know the scouts' motto 'Be prepared'.
D. Xerri
Jan 10th 2012, 18:31
You can stay assured that if it was the other way round - we would have whatever it takes to make it happen - WHATEVER IT TAKES ! Everybody remembers 98` - so one can compare the attitude of both parties now !
And there is Surely a Big Big Difference !
Alex Falzon
Jan 10th 2012, 15:42
A coalition is not in the best interest of both parties moreover the country. The two options available for the PN is either resist the threats that Dr. Franco Debono has planned or else call an early election.
Although this internal crisis has emerged between an MP and PM I still believe that the PN govern once again - in this moment of international crisis the PN knows better how to deal with the situation better than the PL. If a new party gets elected it will take a couple of months until he sets his feet in solid grounds
Charles W. Sammut
Jan 10th 2012, 16:24
"If a new party gets elected it will take a couple of months until he sets his feet in solid grounds"
Probably up to its knees in hardened concrete considering the current situation.
Claudio Cilia
Jan 10th 2012, 15:41
imbasta jumej inlu qali li majridux elezjoni ...hekka majriduhiex ukoll ..kulhadd idahhak awn malta -.-
Philip Cortis
Jan 10th 2012, 15:38
I read below re 'coalition' government. Does that mean that in theory Dr Debono and the PL can also do such? That would mean that Dr Debono would "jaqsam il-kamra".
Another option is for an MEP or two from the PL to vote with the government, even if they don't agree with the PN. That would mean that the PL will be offering stability in such situation.
Timothy Cachia
Jan 10th 2012, 15:32
Dont think they will do a coalition... but such an article may suggest an early election is round the corner.
Tonio Mallia
Jan 10th 2012, 15:15
I'm sure they are!!!! With people like Karmenu l guy, Anglu 'tuks force' Farrugia and Silvio 'gel' Parnis we're ready to rock and roll on the way to cheap petrol and low electricity and water bills!
Reinhard Azzopardi
Jan 10th 2012, 15:44
Nicely put Mr. Mallia! I like your style :)
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 15:57
A DCG fan! She'll be pleased you are quoting her brainwaves!
lilly vella
Jan 10th 2012, 16:13
mela min xi ninu zammit , jew xi pawlu borg olivier , jew gonzi pn?
Charles W. Sammut
Jan 10th 2012, 16:21
Oh dear, plagiarising someone's blog are we? At least credit her.
Fenech MD
Jan 10th 2012, 16:38
Mr Mallia, you should stop reading DCG's blog and state your own mind. Tonio 'parrot' Mallia suits you well.
Leo Bartolo
Jan 10th 2012, 17:00
Tsk, Tsk, Mr Mallia is that how you address the ministers-in-waiting?
Angus Black
Jan 10th 2012, 19:36
@ Fenech MD
And who are you parroting, may I ask?
Karl Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 15:13
Yeah...it's been ready for the past 25 years.
Jeffrey Mallia
Jan 10th 2012, 15:29
So is this a negative comment ? A possitve comment ? Or a stupid one ?
Mr Charles Falzon
Jan 10th 2012, 15:31
Mela mhux bhal ta Gonzi miskin
Mr Steve Cassar
Jan 10th 2012, 15:38
In 25 years they have polished the words and removed the mistakes ...
Yet nothing new!
Karl Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 15:42
@ Jeffrey
Do you think an electoral program is suitable after 25 years?!?!? From my perspective their only electoral program was to object any issue or project raised by the PN.
Joe Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 15:50
i think its the same electoral programme used for the past 25 years, but if you look close enough you will see the correction tape markings on it
Joe Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 15:52
Mr Mallia
yes its a very positive comment! lol
Mark Spiteri
Jan 10th 2012, 16:36
How do you know? Do you have inside information? Don't you wait until it is revealed before talking? People like you just keep this country backwards
Fran Abela
Jan 10th 2012, 15:12
There is talk of a 'coalition' government made up of PN and PL until the date of when the elections are due to be held. Any ideas on this ?
Wally Vella-Zarb
Jan 10th 2012, 15:28
Why have a coalition? PN would be admitting defeat in that it is unable to govern on its own and the PL has nothing to gain. Even if there is a coalition, if it works all credit will go to the PN whereas if it fails the PL will get all the blame. No, the PL would be much better off with a new election - even if the situation that they will inherit is not a rosy one if one were to disregard the hype that government continually pumps out.
Charles W. Sammut
Jan 10th 2012, 15:31
I too have heard these rumours. In fact if you read (listen) between the lines of Dr Joseph Muscat's speech, it might be more substantial than a rumour, a possibility.
If that is so, it would mean that the PL is not ready, and never will be ready to govern.
Joseph Camilleri
Jan 10th 2012, 16:16
@ Charles Sammut
Actually it would mean three things:
(1) That JM's mantra that we're done with "yesterday's way of doing politics" is not just a slogan;
(2) It would also mean that the country's interests are being put before those of the party (lets admit it, when the situation in 1998 was the other way round, we all know how PN was salivating for general elections; and
(3) That currently the country's economic situation is such that austerity measures are needed, and as we all know, the tough stuff requires a breakaway from party politics. Thus a coalition would be best placed to prescribe the bitter medicine that is badly required.
In conclusion, this will only come about of course, if the PN gets in touch with Labour, having read the signs (as we have) and sets the ball rolling. If on the other hand, PN's hard headedness leads them (and us all) to the polls, then so be it. Labour will be there in full force to propose its own alternative, as it should.
Thats my reading of the situation.
Please choose the reason of your report below: