Prime Minister recalls being pelted in Senglea in 1986
A young supporter greets the Prime Minister in Senglea yesterday. Photo: Jason Borg
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday urged people not to put the country’s achievements at risk by electing Labour, which he said had always given the wrong advice.
Speaking to supporters in Senglea, he recalled his first corner meeting, held in 1986 in the same town, when Labour supporters had pelted him.
“Look how things have changed. Who ever dreamt that we will have cruise liners and an international yacht marina here,” he said.
Addressing undecided voters at home, Dr Gonzi urged first-time voters to concentrate on the need to find a job after graduating. After all the mass meetings, people would have to return to their normal lives and employment would be the main issue, he said.
Dr Gonzi lambasted the Labour leader for advising the country to follow in Cyprus’ footsteps. Dr Muscat had tried to mask the failure of this suggestion by saying Cyprus’ economic woes were due to a power station explosion, Dr Gonzi said, adding: “Isn’t that also what Dr Muscat is proposing?”
The Prime Minister also slammed Dr Muscat’s criticism of the shipyard’s closure. He then poked fun at the fact that Dr Muscat toured many businesses that were doing well only to come back and say they were doing badly.
Deputy leader Simon Busuttil urged voters to focus on the bigger picture even if they had been genuinely hurt by issues that affected them individually.
He said the PN Government got the big issues right but manypeople remained hurt and with good reason. “What I tell you is that I am here for you today and I will be here for you after March 9,” he said, adding that Dr Gonzi had appointed him to address the issues that had not been given their due priority. Dr Busuttil warned that if Labour was elected, the crucial things would go wrong and this would affect everything else.
Earlier, Tourism Minister Mario de Marco said Malta has achieved one tourism record after another despite five tough years for the industry. Tourism created 3,500 new jobs in five years but Labour’s plan to place Air Malta within the tourism minister’s portfolio would put this in jeopardy because it could tempt the minister into taking decisions that might make sense for Air Malta but not the tourism industry.
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24 Comments
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MARK FENECH
Mar 5th, 12:19
1986 is history Mr Gonzi........we need to look at the future. Unfortunately you seem to be stuck and comfy in the past that you so detest!!!
Charles DeMicoli
Mar 5th, 12:00
“Look how things have changed. Who ever dreamt that we will have cruise liners and an international yacht marina here,” he said.
WOW! What next, big planes and internet and instant coffee?!?
J Martinelli
Mar 5th, 14:28
Big planes are no problem, they already land here. We don't have to own them.
Internet? What a silly question especially since during the Socialist's 'golden era' one had to have a special licence in order to import one & pay hefty import duty!
Instant coffee? Beats having to go to Sicily to buy a good brand & smuggle it in & if lucky, get away with it! Your memory is playing tricks Charles!
S.M. Cuschieri
Mar 5th, 09:37
how i detest seeing young children at mass meetings, wrapped in political banners!!!! children are too young to be taken to these events. it is so unhealthy!!! jahasra they are being brainwashed at such a tender age!!! for christ sake leave the kids out of this filth!!! and i mean for both sides!!!
Charles DeMicoli
Mar 5th, 12:03
I think it's time for the Nejxinalisti to change that awful blackness of a logo. Time to get with the times.
Lee Micallef
Mar 5th, 12:28
Totally and utterly agree with this comment !
R. Azzopardi
Mar 5th, 12:30
I agrree with you fully. Politics is not for children.
J Martinelli
Mar 5th, 14:33
Charles there is a saying which goes: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
Joseph should heed the adage and since he changed his Party's logo, colours etc, something must have been broken.
Broken indeed like its broken record of making unfounded allegations, like trying to make us forget the MLP's past, like the acts of vandalism and violence by LP's supporters. And this before winning the election!
Joseph Borg
Mar 5th, 09:19
Being pelted not as bad as prolonged psychological harassment. I met you personally at the Stamperia Dear Gonzi when you as our Prime Minister gave me a solemn promise which you failed miserably to keep. Not only that but you did exactly the opposite. Our party is in dire need of a new honest LEADER. Our Party has ended hijacked, as John Bundy rightly stated 'spicca Partit to sitta min nies'.
paul camilleri
Mar 5th, 11:20
maybe John Bundy wanted something more than what was appropriate, veru li Dr Gonzi halla hafna nies igergru imma xbien sgur ghamel gid lil pajizna li suppost lewwel u qabel il bzon ta individwu!!
Joseph Borg
Mar 5th, 13:46
@paul camilleri
Could it be John asked for some Golden handshake say of Euro95,000, or perhaps some Kickback for Enemalta's HFO? I don't think so do ta! I rather think that since the Party is at present Wallowing in Corruption there is no space left for HONEST people except for the 'sitta min nies'.
M Spiteri
Mar 5th, 03:26
Selective memory?
Anthony Mizzi
Mar 4th, 23:51
And we recall the INTERDETT in the 60's Mr. Prime Minister!
Joseph E Briffa
Mar 5th, 08:18
What has the interdett to do with the PM?
Joe Muscat
Mar 5th, 14:25
And what has pelting have to do with me? I never pelted anyone in my life. So does that make me the same because I support Labour? How infantile...That was nearly 30 years ago....And yes I agree with Mr. Mizzi...If one wants to mention the past let's go the whole hog and not restrict memory to where it is convenient to you and the PM. The local priest did not bless our house in the 60s....etc.
J Martinelli
Mar 5th, 14:44
Clear evidence that the Muscat Labour Party & its elves are anchored to the past, even if they ask us to forget it!
Dr. Gonzi was a toddler when the MLP was interdicted! Wake up Anthony!
Tell it to the college & university students and I am pretty sure they will vote MLP en masse.
Stop looking through rearview mirrors. I know it's difficult since the LP is graced by the relics of the 70s & 80s.
Michael Sammut
Mar 4th, 20:48
The single main threat to employment is the astronomical debt this government leaves as a legacy. In all EU countries facing austerity today, it was irresponsible government spending and unsustainable debt which led to the present situation. We have Gonzi and his government to thank for placing us firmly on this path. "Afda fis-sod" indeed. What a joke!
Martin Saliba
Mar 4th, 20:40
He's talking about 1986 , why dosn't he go back to the 1950's and 60's ?
Joseph E Briffa
Mar 4th, 20:59
And if Gonzi goes back to the 50s would he mention the Nationalist Qui-si-sana Meeting where nationalists were pelted with stones? Hallina Martin Saliba, veru ma tafx xejn fuq il_labour. Mindu qacctu lil Boffa hlif inkwiet ma ratx Malta mil Laburisti.
Susan Cassar
Mar 4th, 21:56
Because that is when it occurred..in those days politics was different..if you don't remember do some research
P Bonnici
Mar 4th, 23:38
No physical violence was used in the 50's and 60's. In fact the PN never used violence.
Mark Cassar
Mar 5th, 06:59
definitely....he could speak about 1958 perhaps. Else, he could speak about all of the 70's...
Terry COURTNADGE
Mar 5th, 08:55
True, about there being no recorded political violence in the 'good old days' but the alliance between the Church and the National Party was a psychological straitjacket for many.
J Martinelli
Mar 5th, 14:58
Terry COURTNADGE
Respecting traditional church doctrine is NOT an 'alliance'.
The NP did NOT even like the idea of interdicting the MLP because it gave the MLP an excuse to blame the church whenever the NP won an election,
What's important is what followed: Independence, not Integration, EU membership, not a Malta-Libya alliance.
What's preferable? Flying a foreigner's flag, or the red and white?
Please choose the reason of your report below: