Last Updated 22 | 09 | 2012 at 19:43

News / Politics

Labour will lead birth of new middle class – Joseph Muscat

Article By:
Christian Mangion
editorial@di-ve.com

Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat reiterated the promise that should the people choose to give PL the honour and duty to lead the government, it would be a choice towards a change, a change not only in policies but a choice that gives the assurances that everyone has been looking for.

“Tonight we will talk about you, your families and those close to you. Others have asked you for a deal - trust me because you know where you stand,” Joseph Muscat said, “just ask the employees of Airmalta, public transport, Sea Malta. They know exactly where they stand with this government, who promised a reduction in income tax and spent four years of finding excuses not to deliver,” he said.

The only changes brought about by the present government have been a change in electricity bills, a change of power station and a change in his own salary and that of the clique that surrounds him, Dr Muscat held. The people have had enough of the politicians of yesterday who promise and do not deliver. "We're coming before you not with a list of promises but with a road map that will lead us to return this country on its feet, a road map that has been design by the input off all.”

"The country is tired of distinction between red and blue. We are one family, we are neighbours, brothers and cousins, we share our places of work. The aim of this movement to make us all proud of Malta, Malta our island and mother,” Dr Muscat said.

He said the first policy of the road map is the economy. A growth in economy for all, was the policy guideline approved by the LP Congress regarding the economy sector. The creation of a new middle class, made of people who move forward and look for tomorrow, away from the policy of cliques, the PL Leader said.

The second policy guideline discusses government finances, and this will be achieved with the help of the private sector. An PL government will give the private sector the space and guarantees it needs to generate more jobs for the Maltese youths. "This movement has never shied away from problems and hurdles and as we tackled financial problems in the past we will sort them again today and not come before the people moaning about the financial problems we found, but we will deliver all that we're saying we'll do,” Dr Muscat said.

The third policy guideline, concerns the family. The middle class families who for years relied on themselves are now finding it hard to cope with the needs of life, however the new middle class, irrelevant of surname and lineage will be given a future based on meritocracy, he said.

Promising a head on fight against bureaucracy, the PL leader claimed that this will lead to tje generation of investment which is the fourth guideline that emerged from the PL Congress.

“The PL's policy about energy is a practical policy and listen carefully when I say that a new LP will make it his top most priority to reduce the electricity bills", Joseph Muscat said. He added that an energy policy, which till now has been non-existent, will lead to the generation of jobs, stability and a better financial standing of the people. A reduction in electricity bills will not include the inclusion or rising of any tax, because these savings will result from the eradication of corruption in processes, and technologically advanced structures.

“Education is the key of the future, and every child in Malta will be offered this key. The key of social mobility is tackled by the policy guideline for education stating that the LP will promote longer studying terms. Through the guarantees of a future and jobs for youths, including the reinstatement of fall out back into the educational structures, we will keep youths away from criminality and keep them off the social benefits. The powers of the political class will be taken away because the right for a better living, the right of a job is the right of the people,” Dr Muscat said.

He said a raise in the minimum wage, as proposed during a discussion, will only lead to a reduction of jobs, and denting the economy, so the PL will not adopt such measures simply to please a sector and burden a bigger sector with more issues. "Instead a new government will lay strong foundations and strong structures in order to ensure a future of our families, our children, and their children," he held.

Employers who abuse their employees and refuse them the most basic rights will not be granted government tenders, Joseph Muscat said.

A hospital where you are tended to professionally and in a decent timeframe is the policy guideline for the health sector, in order to give a dignified level of health care. "Politics should not get involved with health issues, so a reform will happen in order  not to have another situation where the government distinguishes between who receives treatment for cancer," said the PL leader.

A cleaner environment for the children of tomorrow and social justice are another two of the policy guidelines that a labour government will follow. Dr Muscat claimed that this week he heard the most shocking statement in his political life when a man declared that he'd rather see his daughter die before him since he cannot put his mind at rest about her future. The creation of a better welfare state will be the guarantee of a future for disabled people and disabled children.

"We are there for the poor and the needy, for the oppressed and the middle class," Joseph Muscat said.

The people have found us behind them in causes like VAT on cars and if given the trust to lead the government the people will find labour behind them for more issues. It was PL who fought for the civil right of divorce whilst others voted against the will of the citizens. "The PL is not judgmental of people's life and for PL families are all the same. An PL government will enact a right of civil union between gay people." Muscat held.

A labour government will also guarantee work in Gozo for the residents of Gozo.

He said the present government is still embracing post card images of women, and a labour government will be known as being the most feminist government of Malta.

Dr Muscat added that on the doorstep of the election the government of GonziPN will resort to fear and favours to secure another electoral win. "I will not shy away, because I feel you are with me, we are with you, a single team", Muscat told the crowd. Others give a value to the vote stating that a non-vote is a vote for the other party however LP talks about choices, "the vote is your right and it is yours, and do with it as you pleased", Muscat said.

He said Malta is nobody's private property and politicians are there to serve not be served. The politicians are for Malta not Malta of the politicians he argued, and only this policy will bring forth a change that will result in assurances and unification of all the Maltese people, and embrace diversity as that which unites us. A diversified but unified society that will lead to the creation of a new middle class guaranteeing a future which unites the Maltese people, he concluded.

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