Simon Busuttil ventured into traditional Labour territory this morning, pitching the Nationalist Party as the defender of people in precarious jobs and the marginalised.

The foray into Labour battle cries of old included a pitch for people who lived on social services and families who were feeling a squeeze on their wages as a result of the minimal cost of living increase.

The PN leader was speaking at St Paul’s Bay, a locality that shifted allegiance and elected a PN council in local elections two weeks ago.

Dr Busuttil said local elections showed the PN had bridged half the gap with the Labour Party but insisted the rest of the road was an uphill struggle.

“Still more has to be done but with determination, courage and energy we can make it and the PN can win the next general election,” he told supporters.

Dr Busuttil said the PN’s secret during the local elections campaign was to be close to the people.

He insisted the PN had to show it understood the anguish of families who were not benefitting from the wealth being generated. “We have to share the pain of workers who are losing their jobs. We have to show government for what it is when it does nothing to help companies that have lost business in Libya.”

Dr Busuttil accused Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of promising an end to precarious jobs when in Opposition but doing nothing to fulfil the pledge when in government.

The situation of precarious jobs had worsened, he added. “The number of care workers, security guards and cleaners in precarious jobs has increased [over the past two years].”

Dr Busuttil accused the government of being “fixated” on awarding favours to those close to it but forgetting “the vast majority”.

“As an Opposition we have ideas and we will not keep them hidden in our pockets because we want to make a difference today,” Dr Busuttil said.

He then criticised what he described as “the shameful” situation at hospital with patients having to wait long hours at emergency and others spending days in corridors.

“We welcome any investment in healthcare but hospital overcrowding has to be solved today. Overcrowding has become worse. This government has not made a difference for patients despite being elected on a pledge that it had a roadmap for change.”

Dr Busuttil referred back to the inauguration of the interconnector project two days before local elections, insisting the government spurned the occasion to show national unity. He again criticised the government for not inviting the Opposition to the ceremony of a project that was conceived by the previous PN administration. The government had invited former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Referring to what he described as insults directed towards him by the Prime Minister, Dr Busuttil insisted this was not the political style people expected.

“Insults do not scare me, on the contrary they strengthen my resolve,” he said.

 

 

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