I do not know what made Dr Alfred Sant declare that the Malta Labour Party is against the introduction of local taxes. This is what he was reported to have said (TMID, 21 February): Taxes should only be introduced by the national government, after being debated in Parliament. Maybe Dr Sant knows of something that is being discussed behind closed doors.

I do not believe much of whatever Dr Sant says because to me he is a great opportunist and is ready to go to great lengths to reach his objective; on the other hand, I do not have confidence in the Finance Ministry. I will not be surprised if such ministry invents something to save a million or two from the national coffers and collect them from local councils. If the Nationalist government does something like that; it will be hammering the biggest nail in its coffin and it will take decades to remove it.

It’s about time that the Labour Party says something about the local warden system. In my opinion, local wardens were introduced so that in the absence of employment through investment, at least the government could show some increase in employment. There were also instances of robbing Peter to pay Paul, and here I mention the same locality which Dr Sant mentioned – Birkirkara.

Birkirkara was notorious for the amount of fines handed out. Every street and road is infested by local wardens. Maybe, today, the situation has changed. I remember what Dr Sant said when the local council wanted to tax residents for parking. Why it was never introduced I do not know; maybe because there was a change in the composition of the council or perhaps somebody told the tax hungry council that it is unconstitutional.

I am very sorry to say that it seems the present government has decided for one reason or another, to distance itself from the people. If that is so, then it will be the people’s turn to do the same. Maybe it will be against their will, but they are being forced to do it because of the current policies.

Joseph Muscat

MOSTA