Labour deputy leader Charles Mangion said yesterday that the Malta Labour Party had put a lot of time and resources into drawing up a comprehensive plan to give Malta a much needed breath of fresh air and is now prepared to “hit the ground running”, once it returns to office

following the next general election.

Speaking during an interview on One Radio, Dr Mangion said the MLP has a plan that it will implement, once in government. Unlike the present Nationalist government, he said, the Labour Party in opposition has a plan for Malta.

He said the MLP has a plan to revive the tourism industry and improve and give the necessary help to hotels providing accommodation for the tourists who visit Malta.

Also being interviewed was Labour Leader Alfred Sant, who said that the MLP was going to show that there was a different way of governing the country. He said a new Labour administration will ensure no waste of resources and will prioritise work and protect people’s dignity.

He said the present Nationalist government does not know how to prioritise and was therefore not getting its priorities right. He said the economic growth is not being felt by the average family because this growth is not being distributed fairly.

On the contrary, he said, several Maltese families have to face the burden of an ever-increasing cost of living as well as the difficulties brought about by the water and electricity surcharge. On the latter, he said, the MLP is proposing to halve it.

He said the MLP is ready to govern the country because it has a plan to which it has dedicated most of its time during recent months and years. He said the consultation process had covered practically everyone who had any ideas to offer and as a result, everyone has had a share in this plan to regenerate the country.

Asked what a Labour government would do to reduce waiting lists for surgery, Dr Sant said that, following consultation meetings with all those involved, the MLP will reduce waiting lists by 15 per cent every year. He referred to a patient in need of a hip replacement who has been given an appointment for two-and-a-half years’ time. This, he said, is unacceptable.

On the subject of the shortage of nurses, Dr Sant said this was a result of a lack of planning. The government is planning to turn to other European Union countries to get the nurses it requires, he said, and he could not understand how the government plans to do this when there is already a problem over the lack of nurses within the EU.

On the subject of Gozo, Dr Sant said that the island has a great deal of potential but there is a lack of communication with Malta.

He pointed out that the upgrading of the Mgarr and Cirkewwa ferry terminals is still in progress. If this upgrading work has not been concluded by the time of the general election, he said, the new Labour government will ensure that the work is concluded as soon as possible.

Regarding the helicopter service between Malta and Gozo, Dr Sant said that the Labour Party agreed with this means of transportation but believed that it had to subsidised. He said the government also agrees with this so there is consent on the subject.

Also participating in yesterday’s interview was the Labour tourism spokesman Joe Cuschieri.