Who is Joe Debono Grech and what made you contest the European Parliament elections on the Labour ticket?

I have been involved in politics since 1959 when I joined the Labour Youth Movement. I was the party’s secretary general of the party in 1960. I remained active in the party and contested my first general election in 1966 in Gozo when the Labour Party found it difficult to field candidates due to its interdiction by the Church. We did very well in Gozo electing one candidate, an improvement on 1962 where we only garnered 800 votes. I also contested the Birkirkara district and obtained a few votes in both districts. I was elected in 1971 and served as minister in the early 1980s. I have always been elected in the past 30 years, always militating and serving the party and the nation.

I am contesting these elections as I feel that I can still contribute to the party and the country. I have been active in the Council of Europe since 1992 and have served in its various committees so this is the logical step forward for me.

What sort of campaign are you conducting?

I have been conducting campaigns since 1962 so I can modestly say that I know what this is all about. However I don’t believe in door to door visits and have only campaigned with a few flyers this time round. I am not really interested in my own election as I am contesting to get the Labour vote and to help my country.

What are the issues you believe are going to affect this campaign for the European Parliament?

The most important issue is the critical unemployment situation. Many families I visited told me that up to three members of their family are without a job. The health question is also affecting the population and the country is in the depths of a quagmire which is being felt by everyone. Can Europe solve our problems? I say there is no answer to this question – we have to stand on our own two feet and solve our problems ourselves. Education is also an important issue as is the health sector. The cost of medicines has spiralled and I am experiencing this personally due to my wife’s illness as I have to cope with huge expenses. So I believe that the economy, the health reforms and education are the key battlegrounds on which this election will be fought.

Labour Party was always against membership in the European Union and even now the party still maintains that partnership would have been the best option for Malta. Do you believe this situation will affect Labour voters in these elections?

We were never against the European Union but always said that this was not the right time for Malta to become a full EU member. I continue to maintain that partnership remains the best option for the country and we will continue to face the challenges of this new reality of EU membership. We had always said that we would accept the result of the general election, as we have done, and will continue working to convince the electorate of our ideas.

What is your feedback on the upcoming elections?

There are quite a few die-hards who will always vote on party lines but I am meeting quite a large number of Labour voters who voted for the EU but will return to the Labour fold this time. However, I have never believed in predictions and continue to maintain that the voter is king and all these polls and forecasts are not to be taken seriously. At least that has always been my belief.

What is your final message to the electorate?

This time round do not let anyone fool you – use your head when you vote. The Labour Party is the only party who can solve the situation in this country so it is imperative that you vote Labour. We have a strong team of candidates who want the best for this country. I know I am contesting for Malta and not for Europe and that it is the Labour Party who has always worked for the country’s improvement in the past so the choice is clear to all.