The electorate knew where it stood with the Nationalist Party, which had clear policies on its priorities for the island: jobs, education and health, Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Addressing party supporters in Mellieħa, Dr Gonzi said that while his party was clear on its policies and plans and was not hiding anything from the people, his political adversary, Joseph Muscat, was silent on his intentions. This was a pointer of things to come, Dr Gonzi insisted.

“People know where they stand and what to expect from the Nationalist Party, unlike the Labour Party, which is keeping all its plans secret,” he said to roaring applause from the audience.

“I would be scared of those who do not tell me what they are planning,” he added.

He spoke about the Government’s track record in creating 20,000 new jobs and how it had assisted local companies that were badly affected by the 2009 recession, protecting 5,000 more jobs in the process.

Replying to questions by factory workers, Dr Gonzi said there was a bright future for the manufacturing industry in Malta.

He spoke of the assistance that small businesses and employers had managed to get through EU funds.

Referring to the 6,000 people on the unemployment list, Dr Gonzi pledged to continue working hard to assist “genuine” job seekers.

Asked about the tourism industry, Dr Gonzi said this sector was of utmost importance to Malta.

Dr Gonzi also spoke about the “very good news” that emerged this week when Air Malta announced it had made an operating profit of €400,000.