Updated - PN reacts as John Bencini gets standing ovation at PL conference
PN reacts as John Bencini gets standing ovation at PL conference.
Updated - Adds PN reaction to John Bencini's comments
John Bencini, former president of the Malta Union of Teachers and the Forum group of trade unions, got a standing ovation at an extraordinary general conference of the PL this evening as he recounted how he handed in his PN membership card and was now proud in declaring that he hoped Joseph Muscat would be Prime Minister.
Mr Bencini said he handed in his card to the PN general secretary three years ago, and was shocked when, two days later, he got a letter from the PN which included a copy of a letter asking the commissioner of police to question him (Mr Bencini) on irregularities which he had pointed out.
Three years on, Mr Bencini said, the commissioner had not questioned him, and he understood that the commissioner was now very busy investigating oil procurement.
Nonetheless, he said, the PN's attitude had been shocking. No one had bothered to have a chat with him over what he had been pointing out, and instead they called in the police, and goodbye to data protection.
Mr Bencini also recalled his shock when the prime minister had voted in Parliament for the increased power tariffs.
He was now proud to say, Mr Bencini said, that his place was within the PL, and he thanked those who met him in the street and thanked him for his position.
The conference is meeting to approve the PL electoral programme.
Earlier, deputy leader (party affairs) Toni Abela said the proper name for the Labour manifesto should be 'Consider it done' because Labour was promising to keep its promises.
He said that the party would base its activity on its slogan Malta Taghna lkoll, and that included businesses, because they were important for the Maltese economy. Labour, he said, would fight bureaucracy, corruption and inefficiency as well as poverty, the shameful conditions of sections of St Vincent de Paule Home.
Labour, he said, was the new hope for those people who could not make ends meet. It was telling all honest people, whatever they did that they had nothing to fear. But it did would not tolerate the dishonest and would not award contracts to those who treated the workers badly.
He promised an open, accountable, government and stressed that politicians should resign not only for their wrong actions, but also for their inactions when they were expected to act.
He also said that Gozo would no longer be treated 'like a colony'.
PL deputy leader Louis Grech urged supporters not to be complacent and not to take anything for granted as the electoral campaign entered a critical stage.
He said a Labour government would be careful to spend taxpayers' money according to the country's real priorities, such as hospital services. This, he said, would be a government at the service of the people.
He also said that the present government had lost every shred of credibility.
The conference was characterised by the number of speakers who said they had voted PN in the past but were now voting Labour.
The speakers this evening included lawyer Ramona Frendo, former PN activist Cyrus Engerer, stage director Adrian Buckle, actor Frederick Testa, Albert Gauci Cunningham, university student Mark Micallef, businesswoman Marlene Seychell, Lara Boffa, Keith Mintoff, Prof Charles Grixti and Audrey Harrison.
Another speaker who got a standing ovation was Ian Chircop, son of the late Karl Chircop, who hit out at the PN's record in health services, particularly the waiting lists. The conference was introduced by Karmenu Vella, who was tasked with writing the electoral programme, and the secretary of the PL executive, Lydia Abela.
See full text of the electoral programme at:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130206/elections-news/labour-party-s-electoral-programme-in-full.456485
PN REACTION
In a reaction to Mr Bencini's comments, the Nationalist Party said that in his letter, Mr Bencini had said he was leaving the party which, he had claimed, was 'riddled with corruption'.
The party wrote back to Mr Bencini asking him to explain his allegations. Mr Bencini's letter was also referred to the police.
"Unless such action was taken, the party would have been accused of not acting against allegations of corruption," a party spokesman said.
Mr Bencini subsequently wrote back to the PN, withdrawing his original letter and replacing it with another in which he dropped his allegations.
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134 Comments
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Andy Farrugia
Feb 9th, 20:04
Poor poor Mr Bencini, engaging in repartee of sorts with commenters on these and other threads....singularly unbecoming, beneath his supposedly professional persona, alien to any notion of trade union praxis. But then I always had lots of doubts about his competence ever since 1994-5 and he will understand what I mean.
Ray Buhagiar
Feb 7th, 17:16
Mr Bencini has every right to vote for whoever he wants. But now I expect him to publish the letters. With PNs reaction he lost credibility.
Neville Debattista
Feb 7th, 22:06
Another brick in the wall he is Ray. Nothing more and nothing less.
Joe Grech
Feb 7th, 17:04
The PN alienated many for various reasons:
Inefficiency (T. Fenech not knowing about the VAT scam; D.Cristina bungling the management of EU educational funds: the transport Malta / Arriva long term obscenity; the Law Courts...)
Failure by the PM to throw out inefficient Ministers;
Corruption (senseless Overbuilding; Robbery of our National Water; Ongoing pollution of the sea through Fish Farms...)
Charles Massa
Feb 7th, 16:36
Tal PN ghnadhom gargarella meta jaraw nies li kien maghhom u issa qieghdin mal PL
Alfred Falzon
Feb 7th, 17:22
@ Charles Massa
I am no PN apologist but I don't believe that one could turn into a convert overnight!
It's a process that takes time & a lot of reflection, so that what we are witnessing lately is sheer opportunism in an attempt to join d bandwagon after scenting a possible victory for d PL!
There's nothing to boast about, for d gain is relative!
Weathercocks have no fixed direction!
aaf
Pierre Fenech
Feb 7th, 13:11
That is how a lot of nationalists were treated over the past 5 years. We continually opened the eyes of people in power but they got so blind that they simply ignored us. Deep down some of the high officials of the party knows what we are saying, but cannot speak up as they know that with the current clique they will be sidelined. I hope that they will have their time of glory soon..
K. Vella
Feb 7th, 12:30
These people are leaving for not getting any favours......
Ara Labour jibqa l-partit tal ftit u tal pjaciri.....
Doreen Attard
Feb 7th, 10:59
The nationalists are obviously very conscious of losing people like Mr Bencini. This of course goes to prove what the people are thinking of Dr Joseph Muscat, which is totally contrary to what the nationalists are saying about him. For people like me, supporters of the pl, we think we know what the feeling is among the nationalists now, we have had a taste of this medicine in the past. Remember?
Tony Agius
Feb 7th, 10:24
IL kREDIBILITA fost ohrajn illi meta tallega tkun kapaci tissutanzja u tiprova dak li qieghed tallega,mhux kif ghamel is sur Bencini li meta gie ghas si - u - no bela ilsienu u ma ghamel xejn hlief li harab,u ghalek mar mal lejber ghax dawk hekk jafu jghamlu,u ghalek hassu komdu ghax jixtieq jghamel bhalhom jitfa it tajn u jahbi idu, Sahha Lejk sur Bencini.
Joseph Grech Attard
Feb 7th, 10:24
By transferring all corruption accusations on the shoulders of the police force, a burden which is too heavy for the police, GonziPN is undermining the efficient work of the police! What Gonzi should do is to inform the police about such allegations, &, at the same time, appoint an independent body, with equal represenations from govt and opposition, to help in the vestigations. Transparency?
Ian Ellul
Feb 7th, 10:15
The attitude taken by the PN and its supporters in regards to Mr Bencini brightly illuminates the fact that the PN has lost direction and is no longer fit for purpose. That's why GonziPN resorts to arrogance and the ridicule of those who no longer support it.
Ian Ellul
Feb 7th, 11:12
Is Toni Zarb a PL candidate? Can we also listen to the whole conversation?
Can the PN tell us how they got this conversation?
Was a party to the discussion an accomplice in setting this up?
Or worse still, if not, how did the PN bug the place to spy on a private, albeit tasteless, conversation?
No here's a thought that ought to be scaring Malta with such PN tactics!
A Spiteri
Feb 7th, 09:54
Bencini, tiftakar l-istrike tat-teachers kemm hrigna flus biex nghinu lilek ut-teachers biex ikunu jistghu jghixu il-familji taghom meta il-partit li ghogbok tmur maghhom kien haddilkohm il-jedd tal-istrajk. Jekk insejt qed infakkruk li kien il-PN li rega taghkom il-liberta li kien jisthoqilkom ghax taf bizzejed x'gara dawk iz-zmienijiet. Bencin... Il-passat il-mera tal-futur...
Eddy Privitera
Feb 7th, 10:02
A. Spiteri: Jaqaw ma smajtux lil Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami jghid li l-passat ghadda u Hadd m'ghadu jghati kasu
U qal ukoll li hu ma jibzax jekk jitla l-PL, botta fina lil Lawrence Gonzi li hlief jipprova jbezza lill-votanti bil-PL mhux jaghmel !
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 7th, 10:23
@ Eddy Privitera
Dr E Fenech Adami said something different. He said that he must not take for granted the freedom that he restored to Malta after Mintoff-KMB had suppressed those fundamental freedoms. Typical of you!
Eddy Privitera
Feb 7th, 11:29
Francis Saliba M.D. Are you saying that he didn't say what I have quoted him saying ??? Have you just relied on what you have heard on Net TV or TVM (Net 2) or read in In-Nazzjon ? Suggest you update yourself on what Dr. Franco Debono has said and written yesterday and today !
Alfred Falzon
Feb 7th, 16:30
@ Eddy Privitera
The past is there to stay and nobody can obliterate it!
Whatever u say in trying to quote at your convenience Dr Fenech Adami, d past remains a teacher to b listened to, so that errors r not repeated!
D "holocaust" is one of them!
Malta's dark side of political history (d 196Os & 1980s) to quote 2 examples r a stark reminder of excesses that make Malta blush with shame!
aaf
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 7th, 19:20
@ Eddy Privitera today 11:29.
I hope you are not trying to persuade me to consult Franco Debono about anything. That will be the day! He used to be the darling of the LP and both of them abused each other to their heart's content. To me he is a negative quantity.
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 09:46
This just shows who these ex-PN lejber is proud of really are. A person has NO CREDIBILITY when he or she makes an allegation and then retracts its when asked for more information! However I guess such people found their home in lejber ... a party which is world-renowned for having absolutely no credibility at all.
Eddy Privitera
Feb 7th, 09:53
Joseph Aquilina. ALL surveys show that it is Lawrence Gonzi who has lost ALL CREDIBILITY ! Besides, yesterday there were others who had never voted PL who declared that they would be voting PL because GonziPn was no longer credible !
Alfred Falzon
Feb 7th, 17:11
@ Eddy Privitera
Just like Dr Joseph Muscat lost credibility in d way he got rid of PL Deputy Leader Dr Ang Farrugia for a banal excuse that should make d whole Labour Party blush with shame!
I have yet to see one delegate/candidate raise an accusing finger at Dr Muscat for such a blunder that exposes d hypocrisy of ALL those within d PL who praised Dr Franco Debono for criticising his Party!
aaf
M Galea
Feb 7th, 09:25
L-arroganza tat-tmexxija tal-PN. Minflok sejhulu il-kwartiri biex jaraw x garalu u ala kiteb hekk qabdu lil kumissarju jinvestiga. Hekk jistmawhom lin Nazzjonalisti?? Jaraw lil kulhadd DUBBIEN.
EX NAZZJONALIST
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 09:36
@M Galea
How do you feel about Mr.Bencini first saying there is corruption and then saying there is no corruption? I think that empty talk is easy this day. Everyone talks about corruption, everyone points fingers, but when asked they have nothing to say! Do these qualities attract you?
btw - there are no ex nationalists, we are all Maltese, you are free to vote as you like thanks to PN!
G. Vassallo
Feb 7th, 09:51
@joseph aquilina. Bhal ma ser naghmel jien u l-familja kollha bil QALB nivvutaw labour.
Tony Agius
Feb 7th, 10:53
@ M Galea
Jider li inti tajt kas biss l'allegazzjoni li ghamel is sur Bencini, li baqa ma issostanzjax,u ma tajtx kas ta lirtirata ta listes sur Bencini mil l'akkuzi li ghamel. Kull meta ried, forsi ghax qabillu, dejjem sab il mezz biex jasal ghand il Partit Nazzjonalista,imma kulhadd jaf li il kurruzzjoni tigi investigata mill Pulizija u mhux mil Partit Laburista jew il partitarji tieghu.VOTE PN
Tony Agius
Feb 7th, 11:07
@ G. Vassallo
Kulhadd ghandu id dritt li jivvota lil min irid inklus inti u il familja tieghek, imma mhux inti biss,ghax jiena u il familja tieghi u hafna u hafna ohrajn ser NIVVUTAW GHAL PARTIT NAZZJONALISTA,u bi dritt,u ma ghandniex ghalfejn permess la min ghandek u lanqas min ghand JOSEPH li jahseb li jaf izjed min kulhad,izda meta tfittex ma issib xejn u ghalek jiena insejjahlu pompous Joseph
Manwel Sinagra
Feb 7th, 09:18
I remember being on a flight with Mr. Bencini at what must have been the time of this incident. I congratulated him on his stand on the Utility rates issue. He did not tell me about this issue. However, I can now understand his worried demeanour at the time. All the best Mr. Bencini.
Kenneth Williams
Feb 7th, 09:18
I think that in this point in time Mr Bencini is as always was after all more Credible than PBO!!
Joseph Aquilina
Feb 7th, 09:40
Then I ask you to go and search the meaning of the word "Credibility" in the dictionary. Mr.Bencini lost all his credibility when first he made allegations of corruption and then retracted these allegations when asked for more information!!
Just shows who these ex-PN really are!!
Joseph Portelli
Feb 7th, 09:06
x'differenza minn dak li qal is-sur bencini ghal dak li qal il-Partit Nazzjonalista!!! fir-rigward tal-korruzzjoni l-MLP zgur li m'ghandux x'jghallem. Meta Sindku Nazzjonalista gie mkecci mill-partit ghax kien hemm allegat korruzzjoni, gie milqugh b'entuzjasmu kbir mill-MLP u tawh exposure impressjonanti fuq il-One TV!
Herman Mercieca
Feb 7th, 08:47
Sur.Bencini dejjem kont namirak ghanki meta kont ma naha l'ohra w dejjem hadt pjacir nisimak titkelem u kont naf li inti inteligenti bizzejjed li dan il-pass ha tamlu ghax nies jew persuni li ghandhom ghal qalbom lill hadiema u lill pajjiz dan il-pass darba jew ohra ha jamlu. Prosett Sur.Bencini
d. attard
Feb 7th, 08:43
For how many years did the PN not act on its prmise a whistleblower's act? During these years those who dared make a mention ended up holding the wrong end of the stick, Thank God that these brave people have now come together as part of the PL Movement that will introduce the act within its first year in power if elected. Prosit Mr Bencini.
D Axisa
Feb 7th, 08:43
At first i thought that we were watching a PN General Conference not one organised by the PL :)
George Sciberras
Feb 7th, 08:29
Mr. Bencini recalled his mudslinging letter and he still expected the Commisioner to investigate him? Is he serious?
Eve Axiaq
Feb 7th, 08:27
Flok fethu ghajnejhom ghal korruzzjoni batulu lil pulizija biex iwerwruh u jghalaq halqu. X'arroganza!
joe farrugia
Feb 7th, 11:19
Is-sur Bencini kien il president tal-FORUM u akkuza ta korruzjoni mieghandu hija serja u ghalekk il pulizija talbet ghal informazjoni min ghandu ghax hu allega u bhala persuna li tokkupa kariga importanti kellu kull dmir u dover li jissostanzja dak li qal u jkun ragel mieghu inifsu u mal poplu malti inkella ghandu jitlob skuza ghax tistax iccappas imbad tahrab mir responsabilta tieghek .
twanny borg
Feb 7th, 08:23
li ma qalx bencini huwa li l-gvern ippompja miljuni biex jissussidja d-dawl meta suppost il-hlas irid ikun dak reali li jiswa li u wiehed jikkonsma xejn anqas u xejn aktar. jekk malta trid li jibqgha jkollha servizzi socjali, edukazzjoni u sptarijiet b'xejn. il-gvern xorta se jissussidja s-sena d-diehla bil-miljuni. il-gvern kien galantom u jekk jitwetqu l-weghdi tal-pl immorru gol hajt.
B. Farrugia
Feb 7th, 08:21
The third party is moving toward a new direction; the left.
Mr Joe Micallef
Feb 7th, 08:20
Bencini - Cyprus Joe
Until this morning I would have said Coward meets Coward, but with the damning news coming out this morning which brings together the disgusting GWU/MLP ensemble, the serious claims by Anglu Farrugia and the money splattered on the MLP campaign, the reasons are probably other.
Rocco Camilleri
Feb 7th, 08:17
Sur.Bencini, nahseb li ghamilt pass tajjeb. Nafu x'ragel int u kemm hdimt ghal proffessjoni ta'l-ghalliema, sinjal li kellek ragun biex tghamel dan ghax kieku zgur ma' kontx se'tghamlu wara dak iz-zmien kollu mall PN.Jiddispjacini nghid li l-partit tal-PN mghadhux il-Partit li nafu ahna, ghax sar Partit tal-ftit. Proset mill-Gdid John- you lead others follow.
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 08:10
Proset Sur.Bencini tal-pass li ghamilt u ma'bqajtx tkun parti mill Partit tal-Klikka.Possibbli li dawn jibqaw ma' jindunawx bil-hsara li ghamlu l-partit.Mela hekk sew, ghax wiehed jghid il-verita u jigbdilhom l-attenzjoni fuq xi xamma ta'kurruzzjoni johorgu jattakkawh qatta bla habel.Lanqas il-klieb ma'jghamlu hekk ghax ukoll ixommu lil xulxin qabel. Il-Partit ilhom jghidulhom li tilef ruhu.
Tony Agius
Feb 7th, 11:56
@ Ronnie Callus
Skuzi ta,inti min tahseb li int biex tghejd li dak li qal Bencini kien il verita, bla investigazzjoni, meta huwa stess ma gabx provi ghax irtira l'allegazzjoni,u xi trid tghejd bihja xamma ta'korruzzjoni,ix xamma, xomma mil warrani bhal klieb,u fil korruzzjoni gib il provi jew gorr il piz ta diskorsok,il PN huwa il partit tal poplu,u ahna mhux ser nikxfu lil dawk li gew maghna PN.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 7th, 08:09
I felt at one point in time & that's quite some time ago, that former MUT Pres. Mr John Bencini was being ostracised & humiliated by d very Party he embraced!
As an MUT stalwart he should have nonetheless refrained from being a member of a political Party, no wonder d MUT has always been associated with d PN!
Perhaps d time has come for ALL Union leaders 2 dissociate themselves from politics!
aaf
jonathan saliba
Feb 7th, 09:44
Mr Falzon go tell it to Tony Zarb ......
Alfred Falzon
Feb 7th, 10:19
@ jonathan saliba
What's good for the goose is good for the gander!
Why should the GWU and, for that matter the UHM, etc be tied to political parties?
They should have their members' rights and conditions of work at heart, not curry favour with the Party in office at their expense!
I know what I am saying from experience and this applies to ALL of them!
Alfred A Falzon
P Micallef
Feb 7th, 08:06
I cannot blame Mr. Bencini for withdrawing his original letter. If he had not done so, Mr. Bencini would have ended up being investigated himself. This is what happened to others who exposed irregularities. Remember the Gozo Channel Captain? I am sure that if we had a Whistleblower Act Mr. Bencini would have asked for protection and spill the beans.
Simon Scerri
Feb 7th, 07:59
Simply a double face. First one letter, than another to drop allegations!! Truly Labour never change!!
joseph green
Feb 7th, 09:41
100% agree with you
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 07:55
The PN Party got to its state because Dr.Gonzi who is led by the few around him remained persisting that they are on the correct track but most recognized that they are not due to the consisting orrogance with human beings who tries to open the PN eyes.Does Dr.Gonzi forgot what he said in parliament 'I vote whole heartedly for the Energy Tariffs'.If he did the voters does not !
tony abela
Feb 7th, 07:09
Who blames Mr Bencini when even the ombudsman on many occasions stated that there was suspicion of corruption but could not be proven 100%. Even international bodies certified Malta as getting more corrupt.
The fact that he wrote a second letter to withdraw the part of corruption accusations proves the type of DEMOCRACY we have in Malta under GonziPN.
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 07:37
Of course tony,the letter being said that it was sent by Mr.Bencini does not exonerate the PN government that there is/was no corruption.Infact there are procedures going on apart from those already taken on the VAT Depot; BWSC auditor report, road works tendering (still pend; etc; Mr.Bencini and others like him who left the PN knows well what it has been going on as Franco Debono always said.Clique Party.
Albert Bonello
Feb 7th, 07:04
All those who think that d PL r holier than d Pope why have we had no reactions from PL with regards to AF's accusations and btw what has PL to say on d recordings obtained by net tv exposing favourism between members of d gwu & business men if PL r in govt. Is this d begining of corruption even when PL is till in opposition? Before critising, one should make sure that your house is clean first!
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 07:28
Because Anglu is not irrelivant as Dr.Franco Debono was called by Dr.Gonzi. Why not Dr.Gonzi accepts the invitation by Franco to make a debate on tvm1 or 2 as well Simon Busuttil. It would have been better to tell us about all this corruption than rather losing time on this trivial internal matter of PL. The PL for sure has his hands clean from oil and others and thats why a lot joined his party.
G Schembri
Feb 7th, 07:38
I remember Super One TV airing Dr Fenech Adami saying "Ha jogholew il prezzijiet" that was quoting him out of context. How do we know Net is not doing the same? Who said that the Pope is holy, he is the leader of the Catholic Church nothing more nothing less, have you ever heard of the Borgias
Albert Bonello
Feb 7th, 09:12
Dear Ronnie & G. you said nothing yet on the recordings exposed by the Net TV between the GWU and unknown third parties. Silence is golden!
M. Grech
Feb 7th, 06:59
Wellcome Mr Bencini! Join the club of us converted to Labour. Jghidu li ghar-raguni ma hemmx forza! Prosit.
twanny borg
Feb 7th, 08:26
u wara l-elezzjoni daqqa ta' sieq u barra.
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 09:00
@ twanny borg:
Tixtiequ imma !!!!!!!! Ma'baqax fuq hiex titkellmu, qatalkom nifiskom Joseph. Issa qed tghidu li mghandkomx flus daqsu biex torganizzaw il-billboards u organizzazzjonijiet ohra.Tafx x'ma ghandkomx ! nies li jahdmu bil-qalb u entjuzjazmu biex jahdmu ! ghax dejjem raw il-flus l-ewwel.
carmel vella
Feb 7th, 09:55
@ Twanny Borg
Hallina Sur Borg. Ara veru blu biss tara f'ghajnejk int. Il PL miftuh ghal kulhadd, anke ghalik, jekk ma tibqax tghaddas rasek fir-ramel!
Johan Mula
Feb 7th, 11:47
@Twanny Borg
Li ma naghmlux huwa li nirrapurtawh lil kumissarju tal-puluzija kif ghamiltu intom. Ara veru tal-misthija. Fejn hi l-liberta' tal-espressjoni li tant kontu tghajjtu biha. Missejtu l-qiegh issa! Ghandkom bzonn tmorru fl-oppozizzjoni halli tiehdu tindifa papali!
M. Grech
Feb 7th, 06:54
Dr Muscat, please send us a copy of your Electoral Manifest at home since that is your contract with me. I will vote PL for the first time in my life (never thought I would say this) and I will tick every proposal as time goes by after the election. Thank you for embarking on such a difficult task and for your commitment.
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 07:42
And the PN says that they have no money !! when they for the first time sent an electoral Manifesto to make sure that all people see. But they heard as we did what Franco said what he is going to do with it.Dr.Gonzi its not what you write on paper but what you do which proves you and your Party,and this say it all.
patrick cutajar
Feb 7th, 06:50
Trid tkun min tal-Klikka biex jimxu mieghek sewwa tal-PN.
charles flask
Feb 7th, 06:48
There are too many people, this time, who are publicly saying that they have switched from PN to PL. There must be something very wrong within PN which is detracting its past supporters away. Also, enabling this outflow of ex-PN's supporters is the well organised and open PL which is radiating such a positive attitude and hope for us Maltese!
Joe Grech
Feb 7th, 07:09
You are entirely correct sir. There is a lot that is very wrong with the PN which is causing this exodus. The problem is that if anyone tries to point that out, the powers that be respond with threats, personal attacks or, in this case, the police! The PN is a very sick party at the moment. It really needs its boils to be lanced but that is impossible with the present situatuon.
Mr Ernest Vella
Feb 7th, 06:41
Mr.Bencini, vera kont ghalliem tajjeb biex l-ewwel tallega li hemm il-korruzzjoni imma mbaghad ma tisostanzjax bil-fatti. Mur hi mal-Partit Laburista...min hemm ha titghallem kif titfa t-tajn? kif tahsel wicc in-nies u kif tahbi jdejk wara li titfa l-gebla!!!
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 7th, 07:04
Is-Sur Bencini mhux pulizija. U mhux se jaghmel id-dirt work ta' l-ebda partit. Wissa lill-PN u ma semghux, issa ara x'qieghed jigri.
G Schembri
Feb 7th, 07:28
Sur Vella int temen lill-PN. Jien u hafna li jafu lil John Bencini nafu li hu jghid il-verita'
Ronnie Callus
Feb 7th, 07:47
Veru ma'tafx x'int tghid Ernest u ghandek ghamad quddiem ghajnejk.Possibbli li int se'tghid fuq is-Sur.Bencini wara li gholla li status ta' l-ghalliema.Nahseb jaf bizzejjed x'inhu jghamel (bhal hafna ohrajn) mghandhux bzonn lilek tghidlu. Grazzi Ernest tal-parir.
Simon Scerri
Feb 7th, 08:02
Ghaliex Bencini waqqa l'ewwel ittra ? umbad aghmel ohra. Typically Labour!!!!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 7th, 06:23
Mr John Bencini has reverted to the original MLP home of the Bencinis. Let us hope that he will receive better treatment than Mintoff meted out to the Bencinis whom Mintoff had appointed to run the Malta Police Force at the beginning of the MLP's reign of terror. That is most unlikely to happen with the political assassination and back stabbing of Anglu Farrugia still fresh in our mind.
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 7th, 07:01
Bla bla Dr Saliba. Anglu Farrugia unfortunately didn't live up to his promise. Pity but that's how it is. Dr Muscat did the right thing - the country cries out for an efficient administration - not the 'promote me because I have always been a loyal member of the party' kind of thing.
G Schembri
Feb 7th, 07:25
Ahna ahna jew m'ahniex dottore? This Bencini was surely not in the police force in those days. Most probably he was a teacher and an active member of MUT. If I were you I would listen to his stories about the 80s.
ray vassallo
Feb 7th, 07:34
Mr.Saliba, the reign of terror started in the 60's, and if you lived the 70's, I guess you also lived the 60's. But, anyway, that's a part of history now, just like any other country in the world we had our turmoils during our country's first inmature independent years. And history is there to read. What everybody cares about in 2013 is the future. I suggest you turn the page and start living.
Alfred Falzon
Feb 7th, 07:48
@ Carmel J. Caruana
So now the new PL version is that "Anglu Farrugia didn't live up his promise"...
It has changed overnight, no longer the banal excuse which Brutus had up his sleeve for making him resign!
Hypocrisy at its worst!
Alfred A Falzon
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 7th, 08:03
@ Carmel J Caruana
Up to the eve of his political assassination by J Muscat, Anglu had "lived up to his promise" so satisfactorily in the eyes of the LP leader that he was enthusiastically applauded by Muscat himself at a public LP function in Rabat. The country doesn't cry out for political assassins who stab their deputies in the back and then invite them to stay and risk more punishment.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 7th, 08:07
@ G Schembri
Tifhem bl-Inglis? I did not say that this particular Bencini was in the police force. Effie and Eddie Bencini were but not for long.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 7th, 08:17
@ Ray Vassallo
I was there and I reject your version of that history. The notion of admissible of political violence was created and insisted on by Mintoff who put it into practice during the 70s and 80s. You have good reason to distort that factual disgusting chapter of our history because its perpetrators are still there prominently in Muscat's LP, apart from those who are dead and buried.
Mr B Vella
Feb 7th, 05:30
For the Klikka at tal-Pieta it' easy to call you Irrelevant !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joseph John Zammit
Feb 7th, 05:17
YES And a well deserved standing ovation.
Clifford Galea
Feb 7th, 02:24
Nemmen li dawn li "jduru' minn partit ghall-iehor jaghmlu hekk ghax opportunisti. F'dan il-kaz qed ixommu rebha lejborista u qed jaqilbu lejber sabiex wara jkunu jistghu imorru jsarrfu t-testimonjanza li taw issa f'affarijiet ohra.
Manwel Sinagra
Feb 7th, 07:51
Niftakar meta il-PN kien jiddandan bi kliem ta' nies bhal qraba ta' Sir Paul Boffa jew ta' Attard Kingswell biex jattakka lill-MLP. Dawn opportunisti ukoll jew ghamlu facelift biex ikollhom wicc Nazzjonalista?
A. Gauci Cunningham
Feb 7th, 16:59
Dak x'temmen int!!! Issa wara li GonziPN jiehu dak li haqqu (ghallinqas hekk nispera) cert li int tkun wiehed min ta l-ewwel li ccempel fuq il-101 u taghmel dak li ilhom jaghmlu l-partitarji nazzjonaisti i.e. jghidu li l-Partit ma tx kaz tan-nies tieghu. Anke issa tard wisq ahseb u ara wara l-elezzjoni!!
Mr Alistaire Gill
Feb 7th, 00:06
Il-mewga ta' nies resqin lejn il-PL qed tinbidel f'Tsunami.
Komplu ghajru lil min jipprova jifthilkom ghajnejkom.
SPiru Attard
Feb 7th, 00:03
The PL's proposition is serious and positive.. I have never witnessed such well tailoured proposal, marketed to perfection. Well done...
Rest Malta.... you'll soon shine back to your splendour..
Joseph Micallef
Feb 6th, 23:43
Well done Partit Laburista. What a difference from even past Partit Laburista administrations. Super model, super organised, perfect technical qualities, perfect artistic skills. An effect of hundreds of masterminds who left the PN and joined the PL. These are the facts.
Charles Buhagiar
Feb 6th, 23:36
This time PL are the professionals and PN are the amateurish. Very good job JOSEPH & Co!
Joseph Galea
Feb 6th, 23:30
gimmicks...gimmicks....gimmicks.
Just in case someone doesn't know what gimmicks mean, let me tell you.
'TRICKS INTENDED TO ATTRACT ATTENTION RATHER THAN FULFIL A USEFUL PURPOSE'
It's exactly how the PL campaign is evolving.
Peter Simpson
Feb 6th, 23:21
I bet the the PN General Secretary must be suffering from grandeur delusions to treat Mr Bencini the way he did. Exactly the same arrogance that labour showered on people (Labourites included) after 18 years in power way back in the 80s!
GonziPN people think that power is inherited and is theirs by right?
Angelo Vassallo
Feb 6th, 23:04
Mr Bencini subsequently wrote back to the PN, withdrawing his original letter and replacing it with another in which he dropped his allegations.
SUR BENĊINI DIN TISSEJJAĦ IRTIRATA PRIMA KLASSI, BL-INGLIŻ TISSEJJAH U-TURN LI L-LEJBURISTI HUMA FAMUŻI ĦAFNA GĦALIHOM.
D Zarb
Feb 6th, 23:28
Jigifieri TLETT SNIN ILU ga kien hemm min qed jghid lil Gonzi bil korruzjoni u dan qatt ma ghamel xejn. Kun ragel bhal Bencini u ammetti li hawn bzonn bidla ghax qedin f sitwazzjoni GRAVI. Jien xbajt inhallas kontiliet gholjin u taxxi biex ftit nies jistghanew min fuq dahri.
Joseph Laus
Feb 6th, 23:33
Sur Angelo billi issejjah lil PL lejburisti ma intix tnaqsiljhom xejn min giehom anzi aktar issahhahna ,,,,Isma ghandek memorja qasira habib,,,Kienhemm wiehed u ghadu jezisti,,,famuz ghall U-Turns,,,mhux ha nighdlek min hu ghax tafu sew,,,,,,il-lejl ititajjeb
Joseph Micallef
Feb 6th, 23:41
Sew sew... so U-TURN hi xi ħaga simili bħal ma kellu jagħmel Gonzi fuq il-500 euro? Jew forsi bħal ma kellu jaċċetta l-gas flok il-heavy fuel oil bħala source ta' enerġija? Jaqaw mintomx tifilħu li persuna distinta bħas-Sur Benċini ġie ukoll fil-PL flimkien ma eluf oħra? Issa l-U-TURN tarha fir-riżultat ta' l-elezzjoni Anġ.
John Bencini
Feb 7th, 00:16
Angelo. I can assure you there was no IRTIRATA. Take my word. I am ready to publish all the correspondence and if challenged again I will reproduce e.mails I received from Simon Busuttil where interalia he stated " Hija hasra ghall- mewt li gara dak li gara". Nahseb ahjar tieqaf hawn l-istorja.
G Schembri
Feb 7th, 00:34
Sur Vassallo you can believe whom you want, I prefer to believe Mr Bencini. Mr Bencini was never caught out in a lie. Before the last election the PM told our union representatives, including Mr Bencini that the Maltese economy could not afford a raise in our salaries, only to give themselves 500euro weekly payrise soon after, while us workers had to make do with less than an euro pay rise.
Mr Stephen Borg
Feb 7th, 00:36
You might be right but as regards corruption, do you still believe that in all these years no one knew or even noticed that people of thrust by the current administration where cashing commissions out of Oil procurement. On what does the current administration gauge people of thrust, I guess it is more important that these people are of thrust to the party rather then to the nation.
Johnny Xerri
Feb 7th, 06:18
really...& what about the gone-zi pn u turns;
1.like the tax cut u-turn (no money for that...but money for €500/week for themselves).
2. the spring hunting season guaranteed, black on white to 17,000 hunters & trappers.
3. the balanced budget u turn...shifted from 2010 to 2011,2012,2013,2014,and finally to 2016
of course those having it good coz of d above (& much more) will shun labour
Spartacus Sladden
Feb 7th, 06:23
Tibzax l-ghaziz tieghek ma tantx u nieqes minnhom il U Turns sur Vassallo
Maria Xuereb
Feb 7th, 06:28
Inti temmen b'ghajnek maghluqa lil PN. Jekk veru ghandhom din it-tieni ittra messhom xandruha, ppublikawha. Jiena fuq il-kelma taghhom biss ma noqghodx ghax xbajt nismaghhom jghidu haga u tkun ohra u ghalhekk jiena ser inkun wahda minn dak il-hafna li fil-passat ivvotat PN imma din id-darba ser nivvota lil PL bil-QALB.
David Magro
Feb 7th, 06:37
Angela li tghid li jidher li hawn korruzzjoni huwa fatt,illum kulhadd jghid li l-koruzzjoni hi lampanti. Dan anke qalu Dr.Frank Portelli u l-puluzija qallhom li kemm il darba jkun hemm il lgi tal whistle blower act jghid. John Bencini huwa bniedem ta l-affari tieghu...nemmen lilu u mhux lil Gonzipn. Il U turns ghamilhom Dr.Gonzi ghax minn meta bdiet il-kampanja elettorali xeba jdawwar kliem!
Carmel J. Caruana
Feb 7th, 06:58
Actually knowing Mr Bencini I very much doubt whether he meant it as a U-turn - I think it was more - 'I'm not going to waste any more of my precious time on you lot - and certainly I will not do you dirty work for you!' kind of thing.
Geoffrey Said
Feb 7th, 07:48
Mr Bencini,
I challenge you to come out with the goods. Corruption should be fought as early as possible and not wait for 3 years before coming out in the open. This smacks of opportunism.
Corruption is no political game and anyone who has prof of it should immediately refer it to the police. Knowing that something is wrong without reporting it makes you an accomplice.
Thanks
Geoffrey
M Grima
Feb 6th, 23:01
Dr. Gonzi should have been invited to the extraordinary general conference of the PL to witness with his own eyes the number of ex PN voters who all had a horror story to tell. These ex PN voters spoke about their sad experiences when they formed part of GonziPN and how they were treated by the party of the cliques.
M Farrugia
Feb 6th, 23:11
Horror stories happened in the 80s Mr Grima, either you're too young to remember or too old and have forgotten.
John Abela
Feb 7th, 01:47
I could not agree more. I myself, after voting PN all my life, will be voting PL for the first time. I am sick of the arrogance and incompetence of GonziPN. Joseph Muscat has impressed me with his intelligence and humility. I have explained to friends who have called me a 'turncoat' that politics is not like supporting a football team. It's about doing what is best for your country.
Vincent Cassar
Feb 7th, 07:53
Yes Mr Farrugia...were you around in the 60's by any chance?
Rebecca Bartolo
Feb 7th, 08:55
@John Abela
Well said. I am also fed up of this nationalist party, and like you, I will be voting PL this time , for the simple reason that I believe this movement has much more to offer and will bring Malta back on its feet. Well done to the PL for the positive campaign, explaining proposals, and all the hard work that is evident. Proset tassew.
J Mifsud
Feb 7th, 09:25
I pity you M Farrugia...we want the politics of unity that focus on our future and not the PN politics that only mention the past.
Ms Maria Vella
Feb 6th, 22:59
What a fickle world we live in
G Schembri
Feb 7th, 00:43
Why fickle Ms Vella, because a person decides to change his political alligiance. That Ms Vella is called DEMOCRACY and not fickleness. A political party is not a religion, although even in religion a person is duty bound to change if he truly believes his religion is not the right one, all the more in a political party.
M Grima
Feb 6th, 22:55
No one is surprised that GonziPN acted in this manner against Mr. Bencini and against anyone who is pro Labour. The PN has lost not only its soul but the will to fight corruption and above all to unite this divided country.
Mr. M. Camilleri
Feb 6th, 22:54
Prosit sur bencini!!!
Bħalek hawn ħafna li daru . . . u jien wieħed minnhom!
Fil-verita din mhux kwistjoni li ddur imma xinu l-aħjar għall-pajjiż!
M Farrugia
Feb 6th, 23:12
Hafna bhalek ghamlu hekk fl-1996
R. Balzan
Feb 6th, 22:50
If the PN's reaction is to be believed, then we have another public person who had in the past indicated to the PN that they were riddled with corruption. Had they done something about it then, they could have saved themselves from the embarrassment and filth they find themselves in today.
J. Pace
Feb 6th, 22:41
Issa naraw kemm ha tkun Malta Taghna Ukoll. Iz-zmien jtina parir!
Joseph Micallef
Feb 6th, 23:42
U iva, issa ħu paċenzja u stenna hux. Malta tiegħek ukoll se tkun ta.
SPiru Attard
Feb 6th, 23:58
Inghaqad maghna... Ghati cans gdid lilek innifsek
Mr Alistaire Gill
Feb 7th, 00:02
Illum zgur li Malta m'hix taghna lkoll.
Vince Piscopo
Feb 7th, 05:54
Jekk Alla hares qatt jitla l-PN Malta tibqa tal-klikka pero biex taccerta ruhek u tkun zgur li Malta tkun taghna lkoll IVVOTA PL Sur Pace. JM biss jista jiggarantilek dan u jnehhilek kull dubju!
Vincent Cassar
Feb 7th, 07:51
Dear Mr Pace...what makes you think like this? Perhaps a projection-type of defense mechanism or are you just aware that this has been the PN's attitude all these years and you think you can throw others' dirt on somebody else??
*Joseph Brincat
Feb 6th, 22:41
I AM VERY PROUD THAT I AM GOING TO BE ONE OF MANY
THAT IS GOING TO MAKE HISTORY BY CHANGING THIS
GOVERNMENT OF GONZI PN TO MAKE >> " MALTA TAGHNA IL- LKOLL"
UNDER JOSEPH MUSCAT
Chris Borg
Feb 6th, 22:35
Followed the speech of john bencini. An emotional speech by a person who was once part of the pn and not anymore. Many people like him do not feel anymore part of pn whcih many like me voted for in past elections. Pl s message of unity is a breath of fresh air. Well done joseph you will get mine and my family vote this time round
m. borg (slm)
Feb 6th, 22:34
Not simply a general conference that gives hope labour will regain government but a conference that gives the whole of Malta hope of a better tomorrow no matter what your political bias, your sexual orientation, if a man or a woman, your skin colour or any other differences there may be.
Hope is on the horizon.
Jesmar Cremona
Feb 6th, 23:32
Oh x utopia ! , X genna fl-art !...Nahseb bil ferh li ha jkun awn sa l-annimali ha jibdew jitkellmu :)
Steven Smith
Feb 7th, 05:07
believe that you believe anything !
Giov DeMartino
Feb 7th, 07:16
Il-vopi u l-grieden hekk ikunu jemmnu qabel ma jidhlu fin-nassa.
P. Ciantar
Feb 6th, 22:14
is this going to be the new lejber please hear in full
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMWz6QliJBI
Joe Sammut
Feb 6th, 22:13
Viva Cyrus Engerer , viva Albert Gauci Cunningham , viva actress Audrey Harrison viva Adrian Buckle and down with Anglu Farrugia !
Labour sold its soul !
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Feb 7th, 16:49
Than how much more and more did the PN sold its body and soul!!
ASK JOHN DALLI, FRANCO DEBONO, JEFFREY PULLICINO ORLANDO, JESMOND MUGLIETT, HERMAN SCHIAVONE AND THE MANY EX-PN VOTERS WHO ARE GOING TO VOTE LABOUR!!!!!
Adrian Camilleri
Feb 6th, 21:40
Kburi bik John Bencini!
C Falzon
Feb 6th, 21:38
"Earlier, deputy leader (party affairs) Toni Abela said the proper name for the Labour manifesto should be 'Consider it done' because Labour was promising to keep its promises."
Promising to keep its promises !? Did he actually say that or is it a mis-translation?
Oliver Grech
Feb 6th, 21:27
Finally you showed your true colours. Isthi.
Vincent Cassar
Feb 7th, 07:48
Sur Grech, ejja nghidu ghal mument li ghandek ragun. Issa ighdilna l-opinjoni tieghek fuq: 1. Vince farrugia, 2. Gejtu Vella. Grazzi bil-quddiem.
Please choose the reason of your report below: