Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who is contesting for the post of deputy leader of the Labour Party and, if elected, would be responsible for party election candidates, today did not condemn an article against a judge written by prospective PL candidate Glenn Bedingfield.
Bedingfield, who is also the PM’s aide and a presenter on Super One Radio, implied a judge ruled in favour of the Nationalist Party because in the past she had been a candidate with the PN.
Addressing journalists at the launch of his campaign for the deputy leadership, during which he said he wanted to strengthen the PL media, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said he understood the article was written by Bedingfield “on his own steam”. But, faced by questions on this particular issue, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi failed to condemn the article which has been lambasted by the Chamber of Advocates.
He preferred to focus on the duties of the media, especially those of the Labour Party, which he said must be used to promote the government’s achievements.
PL Deputy Leadership campaign
Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi is one of three candidates for the PL Deputy Leadership election. The post was vacated after Konrad Mizzi was made to resign barely two months after being elected, over his involvement in the Panama Papers offshore companies scandal. Economy Minister Chris Cardona and Justice Minister Owen Bonnici are also vying for the post.
Flanked by his wife Silvana, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said he had thought long and hard before announcing his candidature. “This is a very important moment in my life,” he said, addressing the media in front of the Labour Party headquarters.
His campaign, which is themed ‘Inkomplu niksbu success’ (continuing to succeed), is based on five main points; contact and wider participation, more modern media services, strengthening of party financing, the gradual increase of the minimum wage and a better quality of life.
Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said his ten year stint as PL president gave him a good political formation and during that time he went through positive and not so positive experiences.
“The PL has been focusing more on government work lately and needs to start reaching out again.” The first point in his electoral manifesto, in fact, says he wants to increase contact with PL activists and families. “We need to create an outreach structure and concentrated District Assemblies, as well as a door-to-door that goes beyond the traditional method used by election candidates. We need to feel the pulse of the electorate, strengthen our grassroots and increase participation across the board.”
He is also proposing increasing the PL’s presence in Gozo and keeping in regular touch with unions, constituted bodies and NGos through the party’s IDEAT foundation. The PL, he said, should also be closer to its local councilors.
Noting the recent “improvements” to the party media structure, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said more needs to be done to strengthen the PL media resources and to deliver the party’s message in a more objective way.
The former PL President is also proposing to strengthen party financing and ensuring a higher level of transparency. “We have to pressure the government to disallow secret and corrupt systems like the PN’s cedoli scheme. The names of those who give out loans to the political parties should be published,” he said.
Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said economic growth had reached an unprecedented level and the PL should ensure that this wealth is distributed evenly. This included gradually increasing the minimum wage. If elected to the post, the PL would commission a study on the impact of such a measure and how it could be implemented and forward the results to the government.
The fifth and final point stresses on the need for clean open spaces to be enjoyed by families. In a society where people had a decent standard of living, a good quality of life was also important. “The environment and culture should also strengthen our identity.”
“In order to bring greater success to families and businesses we need to be prepared to win the next general election, like we did in 2013,” Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said.
The Chairman of the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation had already announced he would be a PL candidate in the next general election. Asked if he would withdraw his candidature were he to be elected deputy leader, Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said the PL would always be the first priority. Such a decision would have to be taken later on, he said, after evaluating the situation.