Dr Sant was speaking at a public meeting as part of the local council election campaign entitled Strengthening Our Success in Local Governance (Insahhu s-Success fit-Tmexxija Lokali).

During the meeting, Dr Sant quoted admission prices for the Domus Romana from a brochure published by Heritage Malta.

“According to the brochure, adults are charged Lm2.50 or EURO 6.25 – when it should be EURO 5.82,” he said.

Furthermore, students and senior citizens are charged Lm1.25 or EURO 3 – when it should be EURO 2.90. “If government institutions are overcharging, can you imagine what will happen in other establishments?” he queried.

He pointed out that the Labour Party put forward a motion in parliament last week to protect consumers during the euro changeover.

“However, the Nationalist Party voted against this motion. I still believe that since the government is introducing the euro, it should absorb any expenses faced by businesses,” said Dr Sant.

The Opposition Leader said the Labour party took the local council elections very seriously and made an effort to visit all the localities that will go to the polling booth next month.

He mentioned a recent visit to the Ta’ Mlit area in Mosta. “The roads in that area are a mess and still not done. A Labour-led council will give it full priority and make sure it is done,” said Dr Sant.

The Opposition Leader also recounted the story of the so-called spring in Zebbug, Gozo, much to the amusement of the audience.

“Soon after they set up a monument and inaugurated the ‘fountain’, which dried up as soon as the Water Services Corporation repaired a water leak nearby,” said Dr Sant.

He pointed out that Labour-led councils had a higher percentage of fulfilled promises simply because the Labour Party only made promises it could keep – unlike the Nationalists.

“Certain Nationalist-led councils promise to start and complete projects which cannot be done due to a lack of resources,” he said.

However, added Dr Sant, the Labour Party is very proud of the results it achieved.

“The Maltese and Gozitans want a change in government – a government that is close to their needs,” he said.

Dr Sant referred to recent statements made by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on a television programme where he said that the increasing taxes are a result of Malta’s growing economy.

“I was surprised at this statement as the taxes imposed on the Maltese are much higher than the economic growth of the country.”

Since Dr Gonzi was appointed prime minister in 2004, the burden of direct and indirect taxes increased from Lm702 million to Lm851 million – an increase of Lm150 million, Dr Sant pointed out.

“These taxes are burdening and stifling the country’s economic growth – especially if one keeps in mind the useless expenditure by the government,” he said.

Furthermore, he said, the government has not yet given an explanation how the final cost of certain projects increased by a total of Lm191 million.

Dr Sant said that only 54 per cent of the Maltese workforce is employed – the lowest rate among all EU countries.

“As opposed to what Dr Gonzi is saying, people are not living a better life and the government is not taking up this challenge,” he said.

Prices are going up and nothing is being done about it. For example, said Dr Sant, the price of food increased by three per cent between January 2006 and January 2007 – the highest increase in the EU. Housing increased by 3.3 per cent, and water and electricity by 3.6 per cent.

Labour spokesperson Chris Cardona mentioned the handyman employed by the Mosta local council who earns Lm12,000 a year.

“The Mosta local council will be remembered for this waste of resources – money that could have been used to improve the quality of life of its residents,” said Dr Cardona.

He encouraged the residents to vote for the Labour Party in the upcoming local elections.

“We will win these local council elections and start working on the general elections soon after,” he said.

Deputy Leader Michael Falzon said the Labour Party’s local council election campaign is close to the people’s needs.

“Even when the Labour Party will be in government, we will be committed to remain close to the people and listen to their needs and wants,” said Dr Falzon.

Dr Falzon explained that all three slogans used by the Labour Party since 1999 looked forward to the future.

“The Labour Party has fulfilled the slogans it used – we made a difference for the better,” he said.

The deputy leader pointed out that in last year’s local council elections, the Labour Party won a majority in five new localities: Mqabba, St Venera, Pieta, Msida and San Gwann.

Dr Falzon criticised members of the Nationalist Party who are involved in the locality of Birzebbuga.

“There are certain ministers who did not find the time to visit Birzebbuga in the past three years,” he said. “It is a shame that this town still does not have a recreational area.”

Dr Falzon also pointed out that Marsaxlokk residents had been promised that Xatt is-Sajjieda would be arranged.

“However, nothing has been done and it is shameful. We promise to help all local councils – regardless of the locality in Malta or Gozo,” said Dr Falzon.

The Labour Party always made promises that it could keep – and it always did, he added.

Dr Falzon said that when the Labour Party is in government, local councils will not further burden its residents with more taxes and said that the local guardian system will be reformed.

“The hardest battle was to win over localities that were previously Nationalist but we still managed- we will not give up,” said Dr Falzon.