Former Labour Minister Joe Grima today praised the delivery of PN leader Simon Busuttil’s reaction to the budget speech.

“In terms of delivery, it was Simon’s best speech to date. He raised some good points, but was rather superficial in others. Grandstanding is all part of politics, but it has no place in a budget speech, therefore the passport waving scene was unnecessary,” Mr Grima wrote on Facebook.

Mr Grima said that budget speeches should stick to the topic at hand, and not be used to take pot-shots at one’s political opponents.

“Budget speeches should not be used for personal attacks. Simon Busuttil used his speech to attack Sai Mizzi, not on the basis of her qualifications, but simply because she is the wife of star Minister Konrad Mizzi,” Mr Grima said.

The former Minister also said that the PN is “irritated” by the good work being done by Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, and it has yet to forgive Minister Manwel Mallia for switching his political allegiance.

Dr Busuttil had an unlikely ally in Joe Grima over the government’s citizenship scheme.

“Despite some exaggeration, I agree with Busuttil on the citizenship issue. I am concerned about the secrecy behind the selection process. If the secrecy is removed, I agree that Maltese citizenship is used to attract talent to Malta,” Mr Grima said.