From Mr E. Privitera

It was simply hilarious to read how the PN described Dr Sant’s speech at the annual general conference last Sunday. According to the PN’s spin-doctors, Dr Sant’s speech “failed to provide citizens with any form of vision”, when Dr Sant spent two-thirds or a good 40 minutes of his speech outlining Labour’s plans and vision for the future under a Labour government!

Unfortunately for the PN’s spin-doctors, Dr Sant’s speech could be followed live on ONE TV, and must have been watched by many thousands due to the fact that this was Dr Sant’s first public speech since his illness. All those who listened attentively to what Dr Sant said – and wearing no blinkers – can only have been greatly impressed by the contents of his speech. Those who failed to listen to his speech had the opportunity to read extensive and fair reports of the Labour leader’s speech in all the newspapers, except on the PN’s In-Nazzjon, which chose to focus on the few instances when Dr Sant criticised the PN government’s performance.

Important points made in Dr Sant’s speech referred to Malta’s need to catch up with other European countries as regards the standard of living, the need to increase economic growth to four per cent to six per cent per annum and Labour’s commitment “to make sure that funds allocated to Malta are obtained on time and used wisely without any wastage and corruption”.

A very important point – and vision – was when he said: “We will be vigilant to make sure that measures that put everyone in the same boat will not be applied in the EU. Rather, every country and region should have their own special conditions.” This is an extremely important vision considering the EU’s supposed policy of “proportionality”, which is not being applied! We never hear Dr Gonzi say anything in this regard!

Another statement by the Labour leader, which must have struck a chord with the vast majority of voters, was when he said that a Labour government “will insist on the need for Malta to be given a fair deal in the area of illegal immigration when it comes to burden sharing and security, a fair balance has to be kept between EU member States”.

Labour’s plans for Gozo, the south of Malta, the Bugibba and Grand Harbour areas were also highlighted in Dr Sant’s speech. Education and a framework that encourages the use of alternative sources of energy, added to his emphasis on the need to address poverty and to ensure the well being of the elderly and the protection of children and their rights, were other important points made by Dr Sant.

And yet, to the PN’s spin-doctors, Dr Sant’s speech “has no new ideas and lacks vision”! Any further comment on my part would be superfluous!

Eddy Privitera

MOSTA