People automatically associate Joseph Muscat's government with corruption just three years into its legislature, PN deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco said today. 

Closing the first day of the PN's general conference, Dr de Marco urged party delegates not to let Dr Muscat's history tar all politicians with the same brush.

“We are not Konrad Mizzi. We are not Keith Schembri. We did not open up companies in Panama...We are not corrupt,” he declared.

He urged those present to keep on fighting not for themselves, but for people who do not have a voice.

Dr de Marco reminded PN faithful that after the 2013 election Dr Muscat had said he was “humbled” by the overwhelming majority he had won.

“A few days after the results that so humbled them, Dr Muscat's friends went running to Panama to open a company,” Dr de Marco said.

He said Dr Muscat had silenced and ignored people like finance minister Edward Scicluna, former PL deputy leader Toni Abela and education minister Evarist Bartolo, who had all called for decisive action in the wake of the Panama scandal.

Dr de Marco said the solution was not to brush the whole scandal under the carpet, but Dr Muscat did not seem to have the political courage or will to take decisive action.

He said the personal attacks on himself and his colleagues only served to make them stronger.

Having a thriving economy counts for nothing if the country's reputation is tarnished and its government is mired in controversy, Dr de Marco said.

“Let us return to normality and what is right,” he said.