On one hand the PL has stated that it “opposes the Ħondoq project” (emphasising the marina and hotel). On the other hand it has declined to answer a direct question asking whether they agree with any kind of residential development at Ħondoq (Malta Today, February 24). This is perhaps not surprising when the new Labour candidate, Franco Mercieca, said that Ħondoq wasn’t suitable for a marina, though he didn’t see a problem in developing the area there is the desalination plant and quarry (Illum, February 24).

It would be interesting to ask how positive the environmentalists and Qala’s residents feel now towards the PL’s statement. If Labour say one thing but mean another, how can one trust any of the policies they are proposing prior tothe election?

The PN also declined to answer the question posed by Malta Today. Recent interviews in another newspaper with Mario de Marco and Giovanna Debono seem to have followed the party line of not voicing personal opinions, instead referring to eco-Gozo and relying on Mepa to make the correct decision.

However, despite 85 per cent of Qala’s residents voting against the development, thousands signing the petition against it, Transport Malta and Mepa’s Environmental Protection Directorate recommending its refusal, and the Church’s Environmental Commission concluding that the project was not sustainable, Mepa still hasn’t managed to come to a decision after more than 10 years.

As to personal opinions, it is these that drive politics, and form policies, and it would begood to know where individuals of the PN stand on Ħondoq.

The PN’s silence and Gonzi’s drive for more five-star hotels suggest they may be in favour of allowing the development of a hotel and tourist village at Ħondoq. This would be allowing both the destruction of assets which attract the tourist in the first place, and speculation – which would go directly against the Government’s own Tourism Policy for 2012-2016. If the Government is prepared to allow a development to go against its own tourism policy (which is based upon “critical trust”), what trust can one have in any of the policies that they are proposing before the election?

Is neither party prepared to be open about where they stand on Ħondoq ir-Rummien?