The electorate should not be hoodwinked by gimmicks such as the proposed reductions in utility bills and go to the March 9 ballots with maturity and responsibility, PN Deputy Leader Simon Busuttil told supporters in Mellieha this evening.

The Deputy Leader mirrored the Prime Minister’s comments that a PN government will also pursue a gas pipeline financed with the help of the EU together with help from the private sector. A newly elected PN government will also explore the opportunities presented by private investment in the interconnector project.

"Let us speak honestly, realistically when you reduce from one place you have to make up for it from another. This can only be not happen by applying a long term plan and Labour is trying to take the merit of plans which are in the PN’s hands,” Dr Busuttil held.

The Deputy Leader stressed on PN's track record in stabilizing and elevating the country’s economy to its current levels and explained how the implementation of a serious, responsible and balanced budget could result in an eventual surplus.

Dr Busuttil argued that the PN lost votes due to a number of important and responsible decisions which needed to be taken but, explained that securing the economy, generating and safeguarding jobs and sustaining the expenditure on health and education were paramount to the country’s stability. This was also confirmed by Angela Merkel, the leader of Europe's biggest and most powerful state who praised Malta’s route through the present economic realities.

There is only one political party that can guarantee a way forward, Simon Busuttil said, continuing that the first action of a PN led government would be to implement the budget. He reminded those present how the PL opposition issued statements holding that it was a good budget however voted against it, yet now the opposition is promising to implement it once it secures power.

Also present for the discussion was economist Lino Briguglio whose analysis made it clear that the Maltese economy had weathered the storm brought about by the international economic situation.  The economist concluded that this was due to the people's trust in government which despite the deficit level worked hard to keep the situation under control every government bond issue was over subscribed.

The PN Executive Committee will tomorrow evening vote for the party’s electoral manifesto.