A new Labour government after the next general election would be more than a simple change of faces at the top of Malta’s political spectrum, but rather a fundamental shift in the way in which the country is led, Malta Labour Party deputy leader Michael Falzon declared at a party gathering in Rabat yesterday.

Addressing the event, entitled Plan for a New Change, Dr Falzon added that a new Labour administration would represent not an alternative government but instead a government that delivers not only what the people wanted but also what they needed.

The Maltese and Gozitan population has had enough of abuse, corruption, taxes and incompetence – citing the Manwel Dimech Bridge, the Merchants’ Street project and the Lm70,000 compensation awarded recently to a Nationalist minister – while other citizens were still awaiting Lm23 million in similar compensation – as prime examples.

Dr Falzon called on the people to lend their support to the MLP’s electoral fundraising drives scheduled for 20 and 21 September.

Also speaking yesterday, MLP deputy leader Charles Mangion said Maltese and Gozitan families could expect to find themselves with more cash in their pockets through the MLP plans for the economy. Labour’s plans are aimed at striking a balance between strong economic growth and social consciousness, Dr Mangion added.

While the Nationalist Party has been speaking of developing Malta into a centre of excellence in a number of areas, Dr Mangion said yesterday that if one were to review the PN’s track record over the last 20 years the results would prove embarrassing for the current government.

The government has been riddled with corruption and incompetence, Dr Mangion said, ranging from licensing scandals at the Malta Transport Authority and the Maritime Authority to the cutting of disability allowances and the issuing of false work papers in Gozo.

Now, he added, a conflict of interest had arisen with regard to former Nationalist minister and Water Services Corporation chairman Michael Falzon.

Costs had also been overrun on practically every government project, Dr Mangion added, citing the examples of Cirkewwa and Mgarr quays, the waste water treatment plant in Gozo, the Mater Dei hospital and road construction under the Italian Protocol – all of which have resulted in cost overruns going into the millions.

Economic sectors that were performing well, such as banking, financial services and the internet, Dr Mangion added, did not leave a marked impact on the majority of families, although they were being taxed to promote such sectors.

The MLP, meanwhile, was adamant that such sectors that are doing well should continue to prosper, but that the effect of economic growth needed to trickle down to all levels, where taxes were being paid to foster growth in such sectors.

A new Labour government, Dr Mangion said, would oblige regulators to look after consumer interests and draw up reports, every six months, for both the government and the opposition on the changing prices of products such as food, medicines and educational services.

Such a report would also determine whether such price fluctuations were transparent, whether there was any pricing abuse and suggest action to be taken where necessary.

Dr Mangion also reaffirmed the MLP’s intention, should it come to power after the next general elections, of halving the surcharge on water and electricity.

The MLP, Dr Mangion added, aims to create a clean, transparent, accountable, and efficient public service in which all involved are responsible for their own actions.

Wrapping up his address, Dr Mangion congratulated the Maltese national side for its favourable result against Turkey yesterday, as well as the thousands of Maltese who turned up yesterday at Ta’ Qali to lend their support to the Maltese side.

Also speaking yesterday, MLP spokesperson for youth, sport and culture Justyne Caruana referred to the MLP’s 70 proposals in the areas of sports and culture – sectors she said the government had all but abandoned. Labour proposals for sports had been left on the table for the last five years, while the MLP has also proposed meaningful measures in the area of culture, such as Value Added Tax exemptions for cultural activities and art students.