From Mr J Cuschieri

Successive PN administrations have eroded the Maltese middle class. If one were to analyse in depth the policies adopted by the PN, one would find a continuous trend to destabilize the nascent middle class.

The reason for this is quite obvious. The PN is traditionally the party of the wealthy and the well connected. Much to his credit, Eddie Fenech Adami managed to rope in the support of other social classes so that his party’s appeal would be widened.

Dr Fenech Adami somehow managed to keep the balance between the needs of the wealthy classes and the aspirations of the social classes.

Lawrence Gonzi has not been able to follow his predecessor’s example and maintain that delicate balance between the wealthy and the rest. His policies have impoverished the middle classes: the introduction of the surcharge, which erodes the income of the middle class, is but one example.

The Maltese people have an appointment with social history on 8 March. They have to restore the balance, and inject new life into the middle classes.

With its mix of policies aimed at the middle and working classes, Labour offers the solutions required to allow the middle classes to cope with the stress and strain of being just what their name implies: being in the middle, between the working class and the wealthier class. The middle classes deserve more than what gonzipn has managed to give them.

On 8 March, middle class citizens should vote intelligently to put an end to the crippling policies of gonzipn and give birth to a new beginning.

Joseph Cuschieri MP (Labour)