Will rebel MP pull the plug?

Alan Attard

Jul 19th 2012, 18:17

You are wrong and Mr. Portelli is right. A one vote majority between two parties can give the winning party a three seat majority since this is tied with seats won in each of the thirteen districts.

Have you forgotten that in 1981 the PN got 4000+ votes more than the MLP and had three seats less, had an absolute majority and sent to the opposition benches?

victor bonello

Jul 19th 2012, 16:14

well said Johan.. his own father on Xarabank had said that he was all his uncle, and had inherited his character completely..

Mark. Galea

Jul 19th 2012, 14:59

If PL will win next elections, it will be because it became a new version of PN. The old MLP ideology is dead and buried.

victor bonello

Jul 19th 2012, 16:15

agree 100%

Joseph Camilleri

Jul 19th 2012, 14:04

Yes, those who vote Labour. Not one Nationalist.

George Azzopardi

Jul 19th 2012, 14:13

'What you and your party cannot get is the fact that the NP is much better off without the three bandits, in government or in opposition.'

is this true? So what has GonziPN been waiting for .. why didn't he pull the plug earlier?

btw .. if they had done so, they would have come out better than the position GonziPN is today!

John Mifsud

Jul 19th 2012, 14:24

Judging by your language, you seem highly bitter about the whole saga in the PN. If you think that the PN is much better off without the three MP's, then you should direct your anger towards the PN administration for not expelling them forthwith.

And speaking about lineups...........people in glass-houses should not throw stones................

Mario Scicluna

Jul 19th 2012, 14:27

On the other hand, if you think for a moment that the electorate, interested in politics or not , are not aware of this tragicomedy in numerous acts, (instagated and started by your own beloved PN Party entirely) are not taking note, only to judge when the time comes, you are very very mistaken. Yes, the political party that you so much adore is solely responsable for this mess and for this instability that has been going on for months on end now.

What kind of idiotic argument is that? Whoever told you that once-staunch Nationalists such as JPO, FD or Jesmond Mugliett would be embraced in LP's fold? So then, if these 3 NP MP's have shown dissent and discontent how things are run internally within their Party and have spoken openly, the organs within the PN Party direct their wrath against them so verociously with vile hate and spite as if you expect them to be just yes-men? Is that the 'Stil ta' Politika Gdida' that you so much professed? Where are you democratic credentials that you so much blabber about?

As for skips, you better take a good look at the characters roaming around Tal-Pieta and in certain corridors and quarters, and befriending former Ministers.

The need and shouts for an early election has long been felt, and this is continually being called from various mixed quarters, a fact that you and your Party have long known, but chose to ignore by burying your heads in the sand. Now that the s... has finall hit the fan, you are trying to shift the blame on JPO, FD and JM, failing miserably to attribute this political mess onto them!. How convinient! It is so evident that your party has completely lost the plot, has major deficiencies, total failure in all your policies and half baked aspirations. Long gone is the mutual trust between the Partit Nationalista and the same electorate that gave you mandate to govern this country. There are more evident signs of lack of inspiration, lack of leadership within your ranks and luckluster results do not inspire confidence either. Ultimately the lack of quality within the PN group is unispiring. Rest assured that the day of judgement will arrive eventually, sooner rather than later, despite your effort to prolongue it as much as possible.

GonziPN and his minions are such an embarrassment , as I can surely imagine that other EU member states are observing attentively the political situation in Malta and how it is unfolding.

Deo Catania

Jul 19th 2012, 15:08

Angus Black, stop crying and wave goodbye to gonzipn.

Henry Mifsud

Jul 19th 2012, 18:06

by your token, then GonziPN should direct all its MPs to resign their Parliamentary seat as the PN was voted in on the premise that the Mistra scandal was nothing but a fabrication when in fact RCC himself recently admitted that it was nothing but a scandal which GonziPN turned into the biggest spin Malta has ever experienced.
The electorate gave its confidence to a bunch of liars in the last election. Full stop!

Emanuel. Vella.

Jul 19th 2012, 15:09

int bis-serjeta ?.
jew u r joking.

Alfred Cauchi

Jul 19th 2012, 18:13

Mr. Vassallo
If PN is giving you a helping hand it's right for you but for us he left us limbless

Mario Scicluna

Jul 19th 2012, 14:41

Int ghadek teqred fuq li gara 30/40 sena ilu? Fejn kont int fis snin 50/60/70 ghid? Kont Malta? Rajtu l-faqar u l-istat li kien jistab fih il-poplu Malti dak iz zmien? Imma possibli ghadek ma tghallimtx u ser tibqa taghzaq u tikkonferma kemm verament ma tafx xejn fuq l-istorja socio/politika ta' Malta?

Silvan Said

Jul 19th 2012, 12:38

Problem is which one?
Where are PL's credentials of stability? Alfred Sant's 2 year stint? or when Mintoff was in power almost 30 years ago when economics depended on handouts from "friendly" countries?

Grow up. The PL is an inexperienced pool of people with some dinosaurs in the background and it just needs a small jolt to upset our applecart. Besides JM will suffer exactly the same fate as LG because that is what today's politics are about. Individuals with ideas in an age of instant communication with the public through technology.

Any political party who does not see this doomed to fail.

Jessica Smith

Jul 19th 2012, 13:33

Silvan Said going back in time shows hat you and your pn has nothing new to offer.

Joseph Portelli

Jul 19th 2012, 13:37

@Silvan Said
id-differenza hi li l-PL jekk jirbah imqar b'vot wiehed se jkollu 3 siggijiet vantagg! u dik se tkun problema kbira ta' arragonza - kif jista' jkun li se jsib 4 deputati li jehduha kontrih?!

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Jul 19th 2012, 14:05

@ Joseph Portelli,

If the MLP wins with a majority of 3 seats, it means that Labour will have 34 and PN will have 31 MPs.!

You only need 2 deputies and not 4 as you wrongly assumed; as then Labour will have 32 and the PN 33!

Just for clarification.

JC.

G Schembri

Jul 19th 2012, 14:47

Silvan Said, the PL's credentials actually do lie with Alfred Sant's 2 year stint, he was man enough to resign when he knew he did not have the majority in Parliament to continue governing in peace. Unlike Lawrence Gonzi or rather GonziPN, who decided to invent a position for all the backbenchers to keep them quite, costing the taxpayer thousands of euro, to be able to cling to power as long as possible. Let me remind you that Alfred Sant also had a mandate to govern for 5 years his mandate was given by a majority of more than 7500 votes and not a mere relative majority of 1500 votes.
If you want to see inexperienced dinosaurs take a look at a very important PN minister who through negligence handed GO a piece of land worth millions of euro, and who gave us Arriva a dinosaur in Public transport. The same minister gave us a Power station worth millions which although it has not started normal operation will soon need millions to change from heavy fuel oil to gass.
You know whose applecart will be jolted if PL comes into government, the applecart of those chosen few who are being paid thousands of euro as chairmen of Boards in companies which are doing next to nothing apart from eating up pur hard earned money.
Stop being a prophet of Doom, JM is a young modern politician who knows very well what modern politics is all about, he is not always harping about the past he knows he is surrounded with intelligent " individuals with ideas in an age of instant communication with the public through technology." unlike Dr Gonzi who told the American Ambassador that he does not capable MPs.

Eddy Privitera

Jul 19th 2012, 12:03

It seems that even RCC got those €500 per week rise !!!!!!!

One wonders whether RCC is still receiving the same salary, perks and what have you, which he had prior to his resignation ! With parliament closed we will only know, possibly, in October, if at all !

Lawrence Fenech

Jul 19th 2012, 12:47

@Brincat

Sure, work together for the maltese citizen RCC 143,000 Euros + 150,000 how is that for a maltese citizen on holiday abroad for 23 years.

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 19th 2012, 13:19

The Exchequer benefited from this rise, more than a third of which was ploughed back by way of income tax, that's some Eur200 a week or over Eur10 000 a year from each of the beneficiaries. A total of more than Eur200 000 recouped every year, that's some Eur600 000 over the three years. Public sector employees also get a revision of salaries when PN is in governnent, so it is evident that MPs should also have their salary. revised, if for nothing else to retain relativity. It is only when socialists were in power that wages and salaries were frozen for years and even reduced.

G Schembri

Jul 19th 2012, 14:57

@ Joseph E Briffa when Mintoff was in government he introduced the minimum wage, before that time workers earned less than LM4 weekly, and in 10years time the minimum wage had gone up to about LM30. Wages were frozen in the last few years, but so were prices. I don't recall any salaries being reduced, unless (like now) there were some Chairmen of Boards who were earning thousands, which I don't know about.

W. Grech

Jul 19th 2012, 13:03

lol....one of the few who is still paying attention to what the PN are saying. We don't really care you see...words don't mean anything...have a look at the state of our island and stop hoping that things will get better

Matthew Grima

Jul 19th 2012, 14:28

Do you know what Stockholm Syndrome is?

Joseph Aquilina

Jul 19th 2012, 10:58

I do not know how good it will be for PL given there are 2 MPs declaring that it was Joseph Muscat that informed the Nationalist Party about the imminent attack on JPO by Sant back in 2008!! If this is true, and there seems to be proof of this, then it would mean that Joseph Muscat worked in order to undermine Sant chances of being elected! why?

Eddy Privitera

Jul 19th 2012, 11:07

Joseph Aquilina: Haven't you read the PL's denial ccusing both Zammit Dimech and Beppe FEnech Adami of
" inconsistency even in lies" ?

O Kassar

Jul 19th 2012, 11:32

Well, we are accustomed to see ex-officials, who are ousted from the PN after being involved in scandals, join Labour to find comfort in misery. After all, as Joseph Muscat says, "the door is open for everyone". So why not JPO as well? It will be in line with his future marriage.

Anthony Scicluna

Jul 19th 2012, 11:42

@ Joseph Aquilina and Eddy Privitera
We may be idealists (and probably most people from either side are) and therefore get involved in heated discussions defending our respective colours (which is perfectly fine). However, we measure people by our expectations of ourselves. Not everyone is noble and we always forget that politics is a dirty game. To win you have to fight dirty

R. Balzan

Jul 19th 2012, 10:53

Hi Lawrence, you and all Nationalists should be eternally grateful for JPO as he single-handedly won you the 2008 elections. Well he and a huge dose of fraud and illegalities, I mean.

Edgar Apap

Jul 19th 2012, 10:57

Mr Lawrence Camilleri JPO Have Won Every Battel He Fought , Mistra Gate, Divorce Referendum Against All Odds , Etc. He Will Win Again Against RCC In Due Time Also After The Nationalist Party Loose The Next General Election And Start To Chase The Lost Sheep Again And By Getting Rid Of The Thugs That Have Hijaked The Party And Turned It Into A Cartell .

jesmond zammit

Jul 19th 2012, 10:09

your biggest mistake is to trust gonzipn

Ryan Agius

Jul 19th 2012, 10:19

Well said Mr. Zammit

C Muscat

Jul 19th 2012, 10:22

Louis Muscat Why? He is going to make PN win again!!!

Mary Borg

Jul 19th 2012, 10:29

Mr. Muscat: If that was your biggest mistake, then you must be a saint! There are always two versions and the truth is usually in between, but after observing GonziPN's manoeuvres throughout the years, I guess Mr Zammit is right.

A Trapani

Jul 19th 2012, 10:57

I trusted PN last time and have no regrets since the proof is in the recent past successes for the country. As everyone knows, there are internal problems within the party (which nobody is enjoying except the MLP), however, the country is steered well and the cost of living/lifestyle here is far better than many other European countries. Jesmond, can you give us one reason why should one trust Joseph (MLP) surronded by the usual suspects ? is it because he is changing colours to blue ? because he is young and experienced with a track record? or is it simply because of the 3 rebel MPs and internal problems at the PN ? These 3 MPs will not be there next time round and hopefully, the PN will clean up the internal mess whereas if LP wil be back in power after "25 years" of electoral failures, with a young inexperienced leader promising everything to everyone, trying to control and manage a bunch of old socialist MPs from the dark 70s era.... that for me means... a lot of internal trouble and ofcourse very little benefit for the country and the people.

Tommy Vella

Jul 19th 2012, 11:07

@ Jesmond Zammit

Why? Because we are not in Greece's, Cyprus's, Spain's, Portugal's or Italy's position?

He managed to steer us clear of trouble while not 100% concentrated.

Imagine what he would have achieved with a 100% concentration!!!

Mario Scicluna

Jul 19th 2012, 12:20

@A Trapani - Today, 10:57

Quote:
''the proof is in the recent past successes for the country. ''
''the country is steered well and the cost of living/lifestyle here is far better than many other European countries''

@Tommy Vella -Today, 11:07
Quote:
''He managed to steer us clear of trouble while not 100% concentrated.''

The EU reports below contradict what you just said. If the 'steering' by GonziPN led to all this, now wonder we're in such a socio/political mess! So much for Gonzi's 'Stil tsa' Politika Gdida'!!

Report Quote 1:While the eurozone’s annual rate of inflation stood at 2.4 per cent, unchanged from the previous month, Malta’s was almost double that, at 4.4 per cent.

This rate is 0.7 per cent more than May’s and more than one per cent higher compared to June 2011.

Report Quote 2: On the other side of the scale, the lowest inflation rates in the eurozone last month were registered by Greece (one per cent) and Spain (1.8 per cent).

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120717/local/Inflation-soars-as-imports-drop.428928

2005
Malta placed bottom in Lisbon process - Ivan Camilleri in Brussels

Malta has been placed at the bottom of a league table of EU member states' progress towards meeting the goals of the Lisbon Strategy.

A new report released on the eve of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, which will discuss the revamp of the Lisbon process, has described Malta as a "laggard".

The Lisbon Strategy is intended to turn the EU into the most competitive, knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. The EU leaders will discuss a re-launch of the strategy as it reaches its half-way mark, with an emphasis on growth and employment.

The scorecard, compiled by the highly reputable London-based think-tank CER (Centre for Economic Reform), provides an assessment of a country's overall Lisbon performance in 2005, as well as its relative progress since 1999 towards the economic reform goals.

Malta is placed in the 27th position out of 27 countries. It reaches only one "economic goal" out of 17, the same as candidate countries Bulgaria and Romania.

The only good mark Malta obtained is attributed to its progress in the information society field, in which it joins Estonia at the top of the list.

However, in other, more important sectors, Malta scores very poorly. For example, in the enterprise section of the report, Malta, together with the Czech Republic, Poland and Cyprus, is described as the EU country with the highest levels of subsidies.

Malta has the lowest female employment rate in the EU, just 33.6 per cent, and it also ranks at the bottom with regard to the improvement of skills in the number of citizens aged between 20-24 considered to have attained a full secondary education. In this area, Malta attains only 47.9 per cent, while in Poland the number reaches 89.5 per cent.

In the area of sustainable development, also considered as a very important pillar of the Lisbon Strategy, Malta again gets low marks. The report says that "Cyprus and Malta currently generate none of their electricity from renewable sources, although they are committed to meeting respectively six per cent and five per cent of their need by this way by 2010".

The lack of progress made towards the Lisbon goals may not be the only reason behind Malta's poor performance. Another could be the lack of statistical data published by the authorities. The report comments that "it is hard to make a definite judgement about the tiny island state of Malta - it does not supply data for many of the key Lisbon measures".

2012
1. The economy officially entered a recession in the first three months this year after growth slumped by one per cent.

2. This is the second negative quarter in a row. In the last three months of last year the economy declined by 0.3 per cent after nine months of solid growth.

3. Figures released by the National Statistics Office this morning show that GDP for the first quarter stood at €1.1 billion, down from the €1.2 billion in the previous quarter.

4. Household expenditure, exports and imports all registered declines.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120717/local/Inflation-soars-as-imports-drop.428928

Malta’s annual inflation rate rose significantly in June, according to data published yesterday by the EU’s statistics office.

While the eurozone’s annual rate of inflation stood at 2.4 per cent, unchanged from the previous month, Malta’s was almost double that, at 4.4 per cent.

This rate is 0.7 per cent more than May’s and more than one per cent higher compared to June 2011.

Malta and Estonia’s annual rate of inflation in June was the highest among the 17 member states of the eurozone. The two countries are followed by Slovakia, with an inflation rate of 3.7 per cent.

On the other side of the scale, the lowest inflation rates in the eurozone last month were registered by Greece (one per cent) and Spain (1.8 per cent).

Tommy Vella

Jul 19th 2012, 18:09

@ Mario Scicluna

Don't give me those figures. Tell me whether you have a job, whether you are living comfortably, if you have any children what education they are getting, what you do to entertain yourself, whether you have your mind at rest if some health problem should crop up, etc.

twanny borg

Jul 19th 2012, 14:58

@eddy tkomlix tghid hmerijiet!. gonzi mexxej sod u minkejja li kien hemm min jahseb li jista' jiddetta jew ministru jew inhassar baqa' f'wiccu. il-klikka tal-hazen hija l-istess klikka tas-sebghejnijiet tal-pl tal-lum bhall qabar mizbugh bil-gir. is-siegha tal-pl tigi wkoll ghax meta tigbor kollox xi darba se jduru kontrik. pl bla principji.

Oliver Grech

Jul 19th 2012, 10:05

Nahseb aktar il- kumment tieghek huwa hawwadni ha nifhem...ax inti semmejt lil Franco Debono u JPO, propju zewg min nies li il- Labour qieghed juzhom ghal skopijiet ta gwadan ta poter.

R. Balzan

Jul 19th 2012, 10:08

Prosit kemm int kapaci thallat il-hass mall-qarabghali. Ministru tal-Biedja nghamluk!

jesmond zammit

Jul 19th 2012, 10:10

franco qed jintuza min rcc u jpo mhux.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 19th 2012, 11:49

Dawk huma r-rifjuti tal-Partit Nazzjonalista li jigu milqugha b'idejn miftuha mill-Partit Laburista meta jkunu gew ikkundannati mill-Esekuttiv tal-PN.

M Grima

Jul 19th 2012, 12:59

@Francis Saliba M.D.

Tajjeb Dr. Saliba, mela x'issejahlu dak li darba kien Prim Ministru u anke 'village lawyer' u offra ministeru li wiehed mir-rifjuti?

Wara li 'stage show' ta 'Mistragate' issa kollha bi hgarkom biex thaggru dawk li uzajtu fil-passat! Kelma wahda biss tixraq lill-partit tieghek - Ipokriti.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 19th 2012, 13:42

@ M Grima today at 12:59.

Dak kien zmien iehor meta Pullicino Orlando ma kienx il JPO tal-lum. Kellimni malli ssir taf bxi hadd li ser joffri lil JPO xi ministeru il-lum wara li kulhadd sar jaf xi jsarraf.

Oliver Grech

Jul 19th 2012, 10:07

The funny thing about the PL is that 4 years ago they attack JPO and almost brought him down. Following a few years, they simply try to make him their winning card and colluding with him.

The PN stopped defending him 1 day before election when the party got to know of the contract, a contract which JPO failed to mention to the party and PM.

Carmel Borg

Jul 19th 2012, 10:18

You're mistaken. PN defended him when they should have not, that's true. But they did not win because of JPOS; they won inspite of JPOS. From the surveys a week before the election to the election polls, PN lost between 1500 and 2000 votes. So in fact JPOS almost cost them the election.

Marija Falzon

Jul 19th 2012, 09:46

It tort tat-telfa hu GonziPN innifsu. hu l-Kap u r-responsabbilita' taqa fuqu. Qatt ma kellna Kap li abbandunawh daqsekk nies, ghax rema wisq nies.

joe vella

Jul 19th 2012, 09:49

nahseb li JPO ghandu bizzejjed sens f'mohhu biex jiehu decizzjoni tajba
biex nghid is-sew, ma' tantx hareg tajjeb minnha dil bicca xoghol, pero nahseb li kien jaf min qabel x'inhu gej u issa jaf fejn qieghed mall partit u mas- suppost shabu
nahseb li m'ghandux bzonn pariri, jaf sew kif ghandu jimxi

Oliver Grech

Jul 19th 2012, 10:09

You really try to hide facts hux? If he really wanted a secret vote, he could have easily requested it and the executive would have done so. Learn the facts before you throw mud....imma possibly you' re all the same?

M Grima

Jul 19th 2012, 11:13

@ Oliver Grech

It is you sir who doesn't know the facts because it is glaringly obvious that the executive members were not given a choice and if JPOS had requested it, some others would have easily objected, thus the request would had to be declined. And one other thing it was never my intention to throw any mud at a party where mud doesn't stick and yes I agree that we are proud to be all the same and UNITED, rather than squabbling among ourselves.

R. Balzan

Jul 19th 2012, 10:10

Agree with you Henry and GoziPN deserves no less. Go for it Jeffrey!

Eddy Privitera

Jul 19th 2012, 10:15

Henry Fenech Azzopardi: There is an English saying which you surely know: " He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword " ! Very appropriate for GonziPN !

HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI

Jul 19th 2012, 10:37

Again Eddy you are very wrong because that same sword you are referring to may be used on th PL when they will be in government God Forbid.

You see my friend it is impossibl;e to accommodate each and every parlamentarian with a Ministry and therefore even the PL will have individuals who may feel grieved because they would have been singled out.

Until such time that the electorate will vote for a party and not for a candidate this sword may be used over and over again especially when the party in Government has a one seat majority only.

Therefore do not rub your hands too much because history may repeat itself.

But for a moment I thought you mentioned that JPO will come out hugging Gonzi. How come now you are confirming my thoughts of JPO hugging Joseph Muscat.?

One thing I am sure JPO will never hug Karmenu M ifsud Bonnici

Eddy Privitera

Jul 19th 2012, 11:17

henry Fenech Azzopardi: My prediction is that JPO will not hug anybody. He will resign from the PN but remain as an independent MP.

HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI

Jul 19th 2012, 14:46

I was right when I said that you change by the minute.

It was you who stated that JPO will come out hugging Gonzi after todays meeting.

Now you changed your prediction in come in line with mine that is of JPO going independent. But don't you thing that if JPO goes independent he still gets a hug from the PL?

I am convinced that you will be the first to express your satisfaction inmaterial if this will be for the good of the country or to satisfy someone's ego.

Vincent Grech

Jul 19th 2012, 10:14

Mhux best statesmen biss imma li ghaziza Malta ma tergax tara primistru bhalu .

Eddy Privitera

Jul 19th 2012, 10:17

EFA " Statesman" ?? If he was a "statesman" he wouldn't meddle in partisan politics when he is supposed to be a President Emeritus !!!!!

Chris Mifsud

Jul 19th 2012, 10:55

@Eddy Privitera

Since when is rebutting a lie (JPO about 1974) "meddling in partisan politics" ?

Are you suggesting that somebody can lie or make incorrect statements about somebody and that person cannot correct them ?

R. Balzan

Jul 19th 2012, 11:02

@ Alex Falzon - Best statesman my foot. He definitely had his good points mind you and I don't blame the Nationalists for lauding him to high heavens. But unfortunately he will also be remembered for being the most divisive and anti-reconciliation prime minister we ever had. In fact he will always be remembered as being a PM and a self-appointed President of 50% of the Maltese, no more and no less.

A Trapani

Jul 19th 2012, 11:54

R.Balzan, he will also be remembered as the man who got us out of the socialist regime who run the country for the final 5 years against the majority, the man with a vision for Malta in Europe and not part of Libya, the man who changed our passports from green to the european colours we have today. The man who opened the markets for everyone and not for some people of the klikka (and that was a real klikka back then).... and thats just to mention a few achievements.... besides, he did all this risking his own life and that of his family.... can any one even dream of comparing Joseph to Eddie? oh common please.......

Chris Mifsud

Jul 19th 2012, 10:10

Who is suffering ?

Almost everyone in Malta have mobile phones, cable or satellite TV, plasma TVs, Internet, Laptops etc.. many are travelling, a good number of people have air-conditioning at home and a great majority of the cars one sees on the road are either quite new or else luxury cars.

If one goes to the beach most of the kids you see are fat or obese, including their parents. In fact it is a fact that Malta has one of the worlds highest percentage of obese people.

We don't see homeless people like we do in most of the world including many EU countries and the United States.

So please, don't give that MLP crap that most Maltese families are suffering.

HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI

Jul 19th 2012, 10:50

you must be living in a planet of your own. Only yesterday I went to a Ta Xbiex restaurant and because I did not reserve a table I was turned back. Mind you yesterday was no weekend.
Malta is repeaing the benefits of excellent governing by getting one record after another in alll aspects.

Tourisim is booming, Maltese going abroad on the increase, Foreign investment galore,extensions of existing induystries on the increase, work force without any corps on the increase, and I can go on and on.

My oly preoccupation is that will Malta keep this trend of success despite the surrounding turmoil under a PL Government?

When I hear Joseph Muscat promising everything to everyone my spine shivers, because it is impossible.

The problem with our small Island is that there are so much opportunities for work that Malta is attracting quite a big number of foreigners (Syrians, Serbians etc) who come as tourists and end up working here. This has to stop because one it is labour taken from Maltese and two it is Currency taken abroad.

Joseph A Borg

Jul 19th 2012, 10:51

Chris, you are mentioning examples of consumer goods that have gone down in price because of deregulation and cheap labour in third world countries. Why don't you mention housing prices? They have gone up way beyond inflation and the average wage raises. That is something the parties in government could influence but do not. Both parties seem to be beholden to the building industry.

We have a glut of empty housing yet prices stay up. There's a lot of speculation going on that is distorting the market and hobbling the economy.

Joseph Aquilina

Jul 19th 2012, 10:54

actually now we know it was with Joseph Muscat help ...

Eddy Privitera

Jul 19th 2012, 11:35

Henry Fenech Azzopardi: You seem to be copying Giovann DeMartino who judges whether a country is doing well or not , by the people he sees having a pizza in restaurants, and the number of cars on the road etc... !!!

One sees these things in ALL countries where there is tourism, and especially in the centre of towns . Athens, Barcellona, Madrid, Sevilla, Lisbon. Dublin, Nicosia etc.. despite the enormous economic and financial difficulties, one sees a lot of people eating in restaurants, luxury cars etc..

Does this mean that the great majority of the people of those countries, are living well ???????

A Trapani

Jul 19th 2012, 12:03

at Eddy.... no it does not mean that all the people are living well, that's why you have to also see, evaluate and compare the population and the unemployment level in the same countries and we are doing well on all aspects when compared to the same countries you mentioned.

HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI

Jul 19th 2012, 15:19

Eddy if you really want to see and accept facts you have to change your glasses or take off your blinkers. The countries you mentioned are all bust and are claiming bailouts and introducing various taxes to make ends meet.
Here in our dear Island thanks to GONZIPN we have nothing of the sort and we still grumble.

One has to be involved to realise and accept what I mean. Take for example health. Nowadays this is taken forgranted but when Economist Scicluna says this is no longer possible to sustain then we realsie what a haven our country is.

Even a round about is taken forgranted with its plantation, but what if this is not taken care of. Ask the students if as Evarist said will have to refund their financial government support upon graduation..

Yes there is no poverty in Malta. The only ones who need help are those families who are exposed to some sort of drugs gambling drinking etc, otherwise everyone who really wants to pull up his sleeves and work can make out a living. If the Sirians and Serbs Libjans can do it, than everybody can do it. Do not expect that some one else has to do it for you.

Malta thank God has gone out of the recession unscratched and the only problems we have are internal just because someone expected a ministry and ended up empty handed.

The moment that the PL will win an election they will realise that they have no idea how to handle matters. They have no plans just promises to everyone knowing quite well that they cannot deliver the 1001 promises. Joseph Muscat's intention is let us be in the driving seat and then the rest follows.

It is impossible to lead a country with such mentality. It was very difficult to persuade foreign investors to come to Malta but is will be very easy for them to say goodbye.

C Muscat

Jul 19th 2012, 10:18

Why????

R. Balzan

Jul 19th 2012, 11:04

@ C. Muscat. Why? Because Gonzi is the worst ever PM we've had these past 60 years. And Malta deserves better, much better. That's why.

A Trapani

Jul 19th 2012, 12:04

.... R.Balzan... worse than Alfred Sant ??? Noooooooooo common how can that be?