A new sixth form in the north of Malta, the removal of VAT on maintenance repairs, the construction of new government, private and Church schools and the reduction of hospital waiting lists by 15 per cent a year were among the promises made by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday during the first Labour mass meeting.

A sea of red flags and cheers in Cottonera greeted Dr Sant who told supporters that under a Nationalist government, the cost of living increased, people paid more taxes and the quality of life had deteriorated.

He went on to say that Malta failed to make full use of EU funds simply because submission deadlines were missed by just half an hour.

“Apart from that, during the past five years, government projects had overruns of over e442 million/Lm190 million,” he said.

Dr Sant also said that this government is corrupt and many jobs will be lost because of its arrogance.

He repeated that children and their upbringing will be at the centre of Labour’s social policy.

“A Labour government will implement measures that will improve people’s quality of life – in our first week as government we will reduce your burden by half when we reduce the surcharge,” said the Opposition Leader.

He touched upon various issues that had already been mentioned in discussion meetings such as increasing the country’s economic growth to four per cent, decreasing taxes and giving the people more spending power.

Removing income tax on overtime – “something that the government wanted to include in the social pact,” is also a promise that Dr Sant said he will keep when Labour is in government.

A Labour government will also improve education so that children will be able to keep up with their European peers, said Dr Sant.

He promised to build a new sixth form in the north of Malta, similar to Junior College – “an institution that will have smaller classes allowing for more individual attention.”

Furthermore, he added, the Malta College for Arts, Science and Education (MCAST), will be given more resources for vocational training to allow youths who are not academically focused to have a future.

Dr Sant then spoke about the reception class.

“This is not a repetition class as the PN are saying – this is something that countries such as the UK, Finland and France already have – the government is lying,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said that the government is trying to frighten the people so that their children will not compete with those from other European countries.

“This reform will take place following a well-thought out plan. Yes, it will need resources but we will not be stingy as it involves our children’s education,” said Dr Sant.

He also repeated his promises to remove VAT on education – VAT spent on school items will be refunded with the children’s allowance.

Furthermore, said Dr Sant, “parents of University students who also have a child below 16 years of age, can buy a computer and receive a VAT refund with the children’s allowance.”

He also said that VAT will be removed on maintenance repairs and the construction of new government, private and Church schools.

A Labour government will also give importance to the primary health sector – “unlike the Nationalist government who has been dismantling and closing health centres while claiming that primary health care is important to them.”

Dr Sant solemnly promised to reduce the waiting list at hospital by 15 per cent a year.

He told the crowd about a woman who told him that she could not wait two months for an operation after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and decided that she would do it privately, at her own expense.

“This is unacceptable – this is something that is very close to me, I know what it means to have cancer,” he said to a crowd that fell silent and then broke out into a loud cheer.

Dr Sant condemned the government for announcing a national screening programme for breast cancer without having sufficient resources during the budget.

“It is immoral to trick people and lead them on in this way,” he said.

He stated that the health service will always remain free of charge under a Labour government, unlike the Nationalists who are planning to start imposing fees.

He also mentioned corruption and bad governance and mentioned the case of parliamentary secretary Tonio Fenech.

“Not only did he give money to a private company owned by the son of the Speaker but he also gave money to another private company called Red Ads – owned by Nationalists,” he said.

Deputy leaders Charles Mangion and Michael Falzon also addressed the crowd.