In a recent Hard Talk-style interview on Radio 101, Mark Micallef from Times of Malta brought out the leadership qualities of Simon Busuttil together with the PN’s commitment to the common good and quality of life of the people.

To touch on one point in the interview, as soon as it was deemed necessary – even in the middle of an electoral campaign – an inquiry was ordered into alleged irregular practices at Enemalta. While the priority of the PN has always been to ensure an adequate electricity supply for the people, no one is spared from having to be accountable.

Regarding John Dalli, it is common perception that his trip to the Bahamas reflects a lack of respect for the European Commissioners’ Code of Ethics and if he is still a PN member he is surely not behaving as one. The Prime Minister is answerable for Dalli’s Mater Dei reform appointment under the circumstances.

Referring to the irregular immigrants issue, Busuttil categorically stated he stood by his position against a push-back policy. The PN in government always sought and still seeks solutions that do justice to the humanitarian dimension of Maltese society and in line with international law, which does not tarnish Malta’s reputation.

While the PN managed to successfully negotiate the only resettlement programme in the EU, the Labour government in a split-second created a sense of xenophobia and practically marred what was responsibly earned by the PN over a number of years. Nevertheless, the PN is there playing its role significantly and with dignity, as suggested in the words of Busuttil: “We should be pushing Europe to work more with Somalia and countries where migrants originate from, rather than pressing the panic button.”

At the end of this interview, in the course of which he inevitably touched on the PN Administration’s tangible results, Busuttil thanked Micallef for his tough questions, thus recognising the vital role of journalists in a democracy to keep the public well and impartially informed.