Former PL candidate cheers PM

A former Labour candidate yesterday attended a PN public discussion in Birkirkara and was seen seated prominently next to the Prime Minister, cheering him along.

I never thought the entire PN would be so ready to accept me

Jesmar Baldacchino, the head of news of Favourite TV, had contested the 2003 general election with the Malta Labour Party on the third district but was not elected.

His candidature came at the height of the debate on EU membership, where Mr Baldacchino stood firmly on the “no” side, forming part of the Campaign for National Independence.

Ironically, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday attacked Labour’s former anti-EU stand, saying that people who gave bad advice in the past would do so again in the future.

When contacted, Mr Baldaccino said he attended the PN meeting in his personal capacity not in his role as head of news of Favourite TV, which is independent.

He pointed out that he was a former member of the Labour executive and had also headed the CNI’s youth section, under former Labour leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, while campaigning in the other European referenda.

Asked whether he was still against EU membership, Mr Baldacchino said he disagreed with then Labour leader Alfred Sant on his interpretation of the referendum result.

He added that although he was against EU membership he still believed the PN worked hard to help Malta acquire what it could as an EU member state.

Mr Baldacchino said he had no problem with Labour leader Joseph Muscat but felt the PN’s policies were more serious and bearing fruit, especially when it came to jobs, investment and foreign policy.

He did not exclude becoming a PN candidate.

“What I can say is that I never thought the entire PN would be so ready to accept me and allow me to work politically for the common good. Some sections of the media report that the PN is closed and not open to discussion, but this is not the case,” he said.

Asked if Mr Baldacchino would be a PN candidate, a party spokesman said: “Just because he was present for the PN meeting does not mean he is, or shall be, a PN candidate. He chose to attend, as was his right after all.”