Standing in front of a slick backdrop with a 20-point plan in hand, Owen Bonnici yesterday kick-started his deputy leadership campaign at Smart City.
With the location chosen to represent the region in the south where Dr Bonnici’s political career was formed, the Justice Minister described it as “a crucial moment” for Joseph Muscat’s “winning generation”.
But as with anything to do with the Labour Party these days, he could not escape the Panama affair and its impact. Indeed, one of his campaign pledges is to emphasise the importance of correct behaviour.
He stopped short of saying whether the party should have an internal mechanism to ensure this when asked by the Times of Malta. whether his commitment would translate into some form of party structure.
“My job is to support the Prime Minister, who has shown time and again that he is able to make difficult decisions, and ensure nothing gets in the way of the good work being done in the country,” Dr Bonnici said.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the behaviour of Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, Dr Bonnici acknowledged many were disappointed with what happened.
The two men opened companies in Panama while in office and made several attempts to open bank accounts to receive money from recycling and online gaming operations.
The Prime Minister removed Dr Mizzi’s energy and health portfolios but retained him as a minister without portfolio within the Office of the Prime Minister. Dr Mizzi also resigned as deputy leader for party affairs, a post he only clinched last February after a one-horse race. Mr Schembri emerged unscathed from the affair, with the Prime Minister insisting he still trusted the man.
Dr Bonnici was unfazed by criticism that the Prime Minister’s decision effectively left the two men in place, instead praising Dr Muscat for being decisive. He insisted Dr Mizzi had apologised in Parliament for what he did.
“We would not be here today had decisions not been taken,” Dr Bonnici said.
Adopting the slogan Qrib tiegħek (There with you), Dr Bonnici’s manifesto includes a commitment to meet all party committees in his first 100 days, create a party official with responsibility for Gozo, reform the customer care department within the party and meet regularly with unions and constituted bodies.
He is proposing a study so that the party can identify pockets of precarious work and propose ways to deal with the issue.
He said the manifesto was “a labour of love” from someone who had always militated in the Labour Party.
Dr Bonnici’s bid was seconded by veteran Gozitan Labour delegate Ġuża Cassar and MEP Miriam Dalli.
Economy Minister Chris Cardona and former party president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi are also contesting the post. The election will be held in June.