It was evident that something changed last night. The Nationalist Party crowd that gathered in Swieqi to watch Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi take part in a live television programme hosted by Pierre Portelli were louder and more expectant than they usually are. Granted, Swieqi is a traditional PN power base, but the events which have unfolded on the political scene in the past days seems to have galvanised the crowd and the atmosphere was heavy with expectation.

As Dr Gonzi walked in, the welcome he was given was bigger than usual, with the crowd vying to touch him, speak to him and even just past on their best wishes.

The theme of last night’s discussion was work and Dr Gonzi, although tired, did not disappoint the sizeable crowd which had gathered. Dr Gonzi was quick to notice former Finance Minister George Bonello du Puis in the crowd and addressed him directly from the podium while answering a question and said that as Finance Minister, he had always drawn on his (Bonello du Puis’) strategies for inspiration.

Dr Gonzi said that it was Mr Bonello du Puis who had started to reform Malta’s income tax system, with the theory that the more you put into people’s pockets, the more they spend. “It is a theory that works. It has worked in the past and it is still working today. I drew inspiration from this man’s policies and it still works,” said Dr Gonzi. Mr Bonello du Puis, not hampered at all by age, made his way to the podium and confirmed what Dr Gonzi had said, the crowd lapping it up and chanting for both men and their party.

Dr Gonzi said that the country did not need a new beginning, and simply needed to follow on the route which it had already chosen, focusing on stimulating the economy, improving education and safeguarding and improving the environment. He said that Malta was faring well in the world, with various credit agencies bumping Malta up the rankings ladder, as well as the World Tourism Organisation saying that the country’s performance last year was “brilliant”.

He said that the PN had a good solid programme for the next five years, all based on the capabilities of the Maltese worker and faith in the ability of the people as a whole.

Dr Gonzi questioned the MLP’s proposals, saying that while the PN was committed to finding work for people and securing a stable economy, the MLP simply embarked on a smear campaign. He said that during the next legislature, a PN government would ensure more and better work for all concerned.