Who does not remember the song and dance made by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi when Labour leader Joseph Muscat stated that the minimum wage will not be raised except for the statutory cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA)?

Gonzi had pounced on this and claimed that what Muscat had said amounted to a “freeze” on the minimum wage and also on COLA.

Gonzi gave the impression that he intended to raise the minimum wage, which has remained at the same level – except for the COLA increments – throughout the 25 years of PN governments.

The first real test arrived during the Budget speech. Not only was the minimum wage not raised but, as a result of the Budget measures, single minimum wage earners are going to start paying income tax.

When confronted by a One journalist about this, the Prime Minister said that minimum wage earners will still not pay any income tax. At that very moment, his Finance Minister, Tonio Fenech, could be heard whispering to Gonzi “Jintlaqtu” (“they will be hit”).

This is the Prime Minister and party who still expect the Maltese people to take them seriously and trust them with another five-year term.