A Spin campaign and that’s all – Government

Malta Independent Monday, 23 July 2007, 00:00 Last update: about 18 years ago

In a statement issued in reaction to the speech by the Opposition Leader yesterday, the government said it seemed that he (Dr Sant) had taken the advice given to him by a British spin doctor to heart.

Quoting the British spin doctor, the government said that he had said to Dr Sant: “If you can’t act, spin.”

The statement said it was clear that Dr Sant was trying to distract people from the successes being registered in Malta. It said that one measure of success was the agreement reached with the Malta Union of Teachers signed last Tuesday. This agreement includes 70 measures that will do much to strengthen education in Malta in a partnership between teachers, students and parents.

Last week, the government also presented the Operational Programmes for Malta’s Cohesion Policy for the next six years that represents the country’s action plan for the use of structural funds and the European Cohesion Fund of the EU.

Among others, seven principal projects were submitted and these will be funded through the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund. These include improvement to the road infrastructure and a reduction in emissions from the Delimara power station. Also on the list are an urban waste treatment plant in the south of Malta, the rehabilitation of Malta and Gozo’s land-fills and an integrated storm water and water conservation system.

Last week, the government also registered the successful privatisation of Tug Malta as well as the publication of the Freedom of Information Bill of Law.

The statement also said that the MLP did not find anything to criticise in the pre-Budget document and therefore will say that the proposals were “taken” from a document the MLP has yet to publish.

The government said that Dr Sant’s strategy is amply clear. “If you cannot act, spin. Where things are good, hide them. If you cannot hide them, claim them as your own doing.”

The statement condemned the opposition’s tactics of trying to put spokes in the wheels of progress. It also said that the Opposition Leader’s intimidation campaign was clear to see. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said: “No one should allow themselves to be discouraged. If it was up to Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, Malta would still be a very small fish swimming in a very big Mediterranean Sea.”