Opposition leader Simon Busuttil insisted this evening that he wants to bring about a change in local politics which will no longer see political parties reliant on big donations.

Speaking on Net TV's Iswed fuq l-Abjad, he said his recent actions regarding the donations to the PN by the db Group showed how he would not be conditioned by donors and donations.

Others kept silent, he said, as large swathes of land were handed over for ridiculous amounts.

Dr Busuttil said the text message he had received from the db Group asking the PN to return donations given to it following his criticism of the St George’s Bay project strengthened his commitment to change the current state of affairs.

That was why he had immediately made the SMS public.

“Political parties and politicians should not be subject to blackmail. Political parties live by donations from ordinary people, families, and businesses. It is a reality which needs to be addressed and the PN is speaking out about it.  I am saying that politicians should not be influenced by donations. Things have to change

“Joseph Muscat promised a political earthquake, I say let’s do it,” Dr Busuttil said.

He said the independent commission he had set up, chaired by Judge Giovanni Bonello, would come up with proposals on party financing methods as well as how politicians were paid.

Should MPs continue to have a full-time job along with their work as MPs? Should they become full time MP?s Should they have a choice? 

Dr Busuttil said his promise to businesses was that he would ensure that there was a level playing field for all.  

In his interview, Dr Muscat underlined that people were paying the price for corruption. He gave several examples of people who were not being given the help they needed, such as medicinals, because the government could not afford them, while money was wasted on corruption.