The Nationalist Party may have overlooked the long-term implications of its 10 per cent tax pledge for the self-employed, leadership hopeful Adrian Delia has suggested.
The flagship proposal had been criticised by some observers because its impact on public finances was believed to be much higher than the already impressive €80 million indicated by the PN.
Asked whether he agreed with the proposal, Dr Delia said that although cutting taxes could encourage compliance, any changes to the tax structures had to be studied properly.
"Political parties should listen to technocrats and economists to understand the long-term implications of tax changes and not propose things solely to win an election," the lawyer said.
He was speaking in Valletta this morning after visiting shops in the capital as a backdrop to his proposals for the self-employed.
Political parties should listen to technocrats and economists to understand the long-term implications of tax changes
Dr Delia said the Labour Party had managed to attract within its fold a sector that had traditionally always found a natural home in the PN.
He said under his leadership the PN would listen to the aspirations and concerns of the self-employed and “be there for them”.
Flagging the issue of unjust competition, Dr Delia said the PN had to be the voice that represents the self-employed.
On his proposal to grant a free vote on morally contentious issues, Dr Delia said the party would have to conduct internal debates and where consensus is not possible it should opt for a free vote.
However, Dr Delia was slippery when asked where he personally stood on matters such as embryo freezing and egg and sperm donation.
“I will adopt a precise position after hearing the experts,” he said, flagging as a sticking point, the issue of what happens to frozen embryos that remain unclaimed.
On gamete donation, which is currently illegal and very likely to be altered in the upcoming reform of the Embryo Protection Act, Dr Delia said the morally contentious aspect was the right of the child to know who the natural parent was, even from a medical standpoint.
“We should do everything to help childless couples conceive but we should also ensure that life is protected from beginning to end,” he said.
He insisted the PN had to inform itself on issues like these and others such as euthanasia, abortion and surrogacy.
Dr Delia denied he had an agreement with any MP to give up his place so that he could take up a parliamentary seat if elected leader.
Labour Sunday organ Kullħadd reported that Jean Pierre Debono had agreed to give up his seat on condition that his wife Kristy Debono becomes deputy leader. Mr Debono and Dr Delia have denied the report.
Delia’s self-employed proposals
Business clinic: create a unit at PN HQ where the self-employed facing issues of red tape could seek assistance.
Knowledge bank: create an information service that keeps the self-employed abreast with legal, tax and regulatory changes.
Assist start-ups: the PN in government will help not only youngsters set up their enterprise but also those whose business may have failed but still yearn to create something new.
Bucket of hours: Create a concept where professionals and businessmen voluntarily contribute a number of free hours to the party, which it can then use to assist small enterprises and the self-employed.