Tell us something about yourself. How old are you? Where you were born? Your family? Your hobbies? What attracted you to politics?
They say “Life begins at 40” and I have just turned 40! Well, I’m from Sliema. I spent the first few years of my life at the Fra Diegu Bonanno Institute, at Hamrun, with Sister Onorina Gatt. My mother was very ill when I was young. Today she is no longer with us. There are days when I miss her very much. On other days, I’m sure she’s praying for me from where she is right now. My father is a quiet man. He’s a pensioner, and he loves going for long walks. I have three other siblings: Manuel, the eldest, who is also involved in politics; Carmen, who is married with two children; and the youngest, Tonio. My hobbies include surfing the Internet and football. I’m a staunch Sliema and Juventus supporter. My desire to be of service to others and to help the needy drove me to become politically active.
What would your role be in a forthcoming Labour government?
I trust Alfred Sant blindly, and I know I enjoy his complete trust. I am ready to serve my country and the people to the best of my abilities, whatever the new Prime Minister will ask of me.
You have been at the centre of a controversy when you wrote in a newspaper article about justice for Labourites. Does it mean a new Labour government will discriminate in favour of its boys?
Not at all. My reply is succinct and to the point. Yes to Justice, No to Revenge. All those who suffered injustices under the Fenech Adami and Gonzi administrations need to have remedies for the torts they suffered. This does not mean we have to revenge ourselves on those who hold a different political opinion. It means righting wrongs, not committing new ones. I believe strongly that a Labour administration has to have trusted Labourites in politically sensitive positions. This is normal in every democratic country. Even the PN followed this policy.
What are the special needs of your district? What relationship do you see between district and national priorities?
It is important to allow the community to breathe anew. In commercial localities such as Sliema, St Julian’s, Pembroke, Gzira, San Gwann, Msida and even Swieqi, we have to strike a balance that safeguards and respects the normality of residents’ lives. I can understand why the situation cannot remain as it is today, because I too live in this environment. The Nationalists have allowed the situation to degenerate and we now have a jungle-like situation. National politics by itself cannot achieve all the aspirations and needs of the citizens. In this situation, we have to combine local and national politics in a joint effort to protect the rights of residents.
Why should the electorate choose Labour this time round?
A straightforward answer: It is a fresh party with the best policies and the best vision for Malta. It is made up of capable and enthusiastic people. The PN has aged and has outdated ideas. It has fallen prey to corruption and arrogance. Injustice has become the order of the day. Malta needs change. We need a change to give this country a new beginning peacefully, to be able to give priority to work, care and dignity for our people. The present situation is no longer tolerable. We cannot go on having five families who have it all and the rest who do not stand a chance because they are not part of the inner circles. A vote for the PN will ensure that these five families keep on having it all, denying all others any possibility to succeed in life. A vote for the MLP means giving a chance to yourself and your family.
What is your opinion on the following?
The EU and Malta
Malta, as an EU member State, is a reality shared by everybody. We have to make sure to strengthen all the good there is in our relations with the EU. In the meantime, we have to strive to change what affects us negatively as a country and as a people. No matter what the bureaucrats say, this can be done. Because we are not talking on the administrative level here, but on the political level.
The family
The family is the lynchpin of society in our country. We have to have family-oriented measures as the centrepiece of government policies. It hurts to see more families breaking up and more children suffering. Healthy families translate into a healthy society and a healthy country. We shall be there for all children, regardless of their familial situation. After all, children do not choose the family they are born into.
Tourism
An important pillar of our country’s economy. Thousands depend on it for their and their families’ livelihood. I have been following this sector for quite some time now. The PN administration has failed abysmally in this sector over the last four years. We registered an increase only this year, after many hotels closed down. This happened thanks to the hoteliers themselves and MHRA who put pressure on the government for seven whole months to introduce low cost air travel to Malta. Dr Gonzi and Dr Austin Gatt were against the introduction of this vital service. They acceded only after numerous hoteliers threatened they would close down and fire their workers. To add insult to injury, the Nationalists are now trying to take the credit for the success achieved thanks to the hoteliers and MHRA. Shame on them!
Past Labour governments have a brilliant track record in this sector. We shall be ushering in a new beginning even for tourism, by ensuring the implementation of a national strategy agreed across the board. We don’t want this vital sector to keep on as it is today just surviving, with hiccups to boot.
MEPA
A veritable nightmare! I have heard stories that remind you of horror films! Persistent allegations of corruption, abuse and favouritism seem to be the order of the day. The situation has degenerated into chaos. Let me be clear. This will not go on under a new Labour government. I can understand Dr Gonzi’s wish to take personal responsibility for MEPA and that he didn’t think twice about the negative impact of his declaration on George Pullicino’s political record. But Dr Gonzi, it’s too late now. The electorate will judge you on what you did as a government, not on what you said and you’re saying now.
Electricity surcharge
The most anti-social and unjust measure taken by Gonzi’s government. I know of families who have been financially crippled because of the surcharge. During the first week in government, Labour will reduce it by half. Guaranteed! Then, over a reasonable period of time we shall phase it out completely. The self-employed and shop owners will also benefit from what we have in mind.
What do you think of the following people?
Dr Alfred Sant
Highly intelligent. Sound vision. A hard worker, if ever there was one. Serious and politically clean. Intolerant of abuse. I have always believed in his abilities, and I am proud of this. I wish him every success as Malta’s new Prime Minister. Above all, I wish him good health.
Dr Lawrence Gonzi
A believer in brainwashing. He does have his positive aspects, mind you, but on the whole I think he has failed during his term in office. He lost all control over his ministers.
He has hijacked the party, irking many Nationalists. The idea of gonzipn has irritated many Nationalists who have told me that the PN has become a one-man party.
Archbishop Pawl Cremona
I am a practising Catholic, and I have the Church at heart also because of my upbringing with nuns and friars. Many members of the clergy are my personal friends and I share ideas with them. Msgr Cremona was needed to bring a fresh attitude to the Church in Malta. I believe he is succeeding. I know he is respected by one and all and I admire him a lot.
H E Eddie Fenech Adami
A seasoned politician who has shown he can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He has been politically lucky. Having said that, the worst mistake he could have done was to accept the nomination of President of Malta. This was his greatest failure.
Your brother Manuel
We belong to the same party, but we are different personalities. Manuel is different from what people see during his radio broadcasts. He is a quiet man who loves keeping himself to himself. He is a traditionalist, and he has got a heart of gold. Those who know him personally know what I am talking about. He is the one who inspired me to join the political fray.
Diehard Nationalists
I have many friends who are diehard Nationalists. Coming from a traditionally Nationalist stronghold, it couldn’t be otherwise. I spent my childhood and adolescence with people coming from such backgrounds, and we have a mutual respect for each other. We avoid politics in our conversations. Ultimately, we are all Maltese.
Nationalists who will be voting Labour
I am meeting many of these, particularly in Sliema and St Julian’s. They are literally fed up with the corruption and arrogance of this government and they are looking to Labour as the best guarantee for their future and their families’ well being. There are many Nationalists who are approaching us because of their admiration for Dr Sant and among them are those who are being intimidated and harassed by PN officials. Others are keeping their new Labour sympathies to themselves, and ask not to be quoted – they are afraid of PN reprisal. That’s the PN for you! Labour’s doors are open to one and all, because this is the Party for all Maltese and Gozitans.
Labourites
People with a heart of gold who genuinely love the party and Malta. They help the party whole-heartedly. I admire the love, the respect, and the sincerity they display because you always know where you stand with them. They can’t wait for the moment Malta gets the government it deserves: a new Labour government under the able leadership of Dr Sant.
Why vote for you?
I leave it to the people to judge me. In these past years I have abandoned my private work to dedicate myself completely to politics, for the people. We have had to endure a PN Administration wrought with Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries who see no line of demarcation between their private activities and their political involvements. Labour is offering something new, something clean, which is above board.
I have always done my best to be sincere, honest and loyal to all those who needed my help. I have always based my work on the principle that I have to be close to the people, as much as possible, and not allow politics to change me from what I really am. I think I have managed to reach these objectives.
Politics has given me much satisfaction. I leave it to the people to judge whether I deserve their support. Everybody has the right to use their vote to express their choice according to their conscience and what they think is the best for them, their family and Malta.