Speaking during a discussion meeting in Ghaxaq yesterday, Dr Sant said that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s leadership was weak. “The Prime Minister is lost in his work and this shows that the country needs a new government, and it also shows that the Nationalist Party’s leadership is in chaos,” he said.
Dr Sant said the biggest problem was that Dr Gonzi’s government had to shoulder all the problems created by Dr Fenech Adami’s government, adding that Dr Gonzi also participated 100 per cent.
“The Nationalist Party has never told people the truth. And that is why Dr Gonzi is in trouble over the Cirkewwa and Mgarr terminals and the Mater Dei Hospital,” he said.
Dr Sant also singled out Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina for criticism, calling them inefficient.
The opposition leader also said that government was wracked with problems – especially the “friends of friends” syndrome. He accused Dr Gonzi of remaining silent on many issues, including things about former Foreign Minister John Dalli. “The Prime Minister recently emphasised the need for more seriousness, less waste and a greater sense of direction, but he is not practicing what he preaches.
The public feels that not only is it stuck in a rut, but rather that things are deteriorating,” said Dr Sant.
Dr Sant said Dr Gonzi should not be talking about the need for seriousness in the wake of issues such as the appointment of Dr Edward Fenech Adami as President, the resignation of John Dalli, the Brussels embassy and the introduction of the eco tax.
“Resources are not even being utilised. There are 30 former MDC employees who are still being paid, but do not even have a job,” said Dr Sant.
He also pointed the finger at government, claiming that Labour voters were being discriminated against and that windows of opportunity were being slammed shut in their faces. “I want to make it clear. Anyone who suffered injustices under the Nationalist Government will be given the opportunity to move forward under a Labour Government,” he said.
Changing the subject to the dockyard issue, Dr Sant said that it was untrue that government was working hard to attract contracts. He said that there was no political will to sort out the problems that plague the yard.
“And I do not agree with Dr Gonzi’s assumption that to privatise an industry, one needs foreign companies to be involved. Take Maltapost and the MIA, they have foreign companies involved, but has the situation improved or is it the opposite?”
Dr Sant also claimed that the privatisation of Mid-Med Bank had not really worked because the bulk of HSBC’s profits were not remaining in the Maltese economy. “We are also beginning to feel the pinch from EU accession and yet government is not taking any safety measures to dampen the effects. Government has not even applied for funding in certain areas,” he said.
Deputy leader Michael Falzon also addressed the meeting and said that the MLP was working hard to improve its means of communication. “We are also organising some end of summer activities. One will be on 19 September in St Julian’s and the other will be a fund-raiser on 21 September,” he said. He also said that the MLP would be organising a congress for Labour councillors.