In one of her recent Sunday-morning hysterical outbursts against the Nationalist Party in another section of the press, Claire Bonello sarcastically dubbed the members on the government side as “delicate flowers”, the reason being “they voted in favour of hiking the utility tariffs”.

She purposely tried to hide from her readers the fact that at least 21 out of the 34 Labour members sitting on the Opposition benches last week were the same people who formed part of the short-lived socialist government under Alfred Sant 12 years ago. That time it was they who voted in favour of exorbitant hikes in utility tariffs, just one of 33 were taxes making up the 1998 budget burden in the wake of the previous year’s, huge deficit of Lm150 million (€345 million). The only difference between then and now is the price of crude oil; 12 years ago it was at the rock-bottom price of $12 a barrel while now it stands at $82 and rising.

Perhaps Dr Bonello must now conjure a name consonant with this group of 21. For me “weeping crocodiles” will fit them fine.

I am not an ‘opinionist’. I base my arguments on simple documented facts and personal experiences. I invite Dr Bonello to read a letter of mine published in Il-Mument on 14 December 2008 on energy bills complete with my workings and supported by Enemalta documentation and she will be in for some surprises.

Yes, Ms Bonello it is a matter of “that was then, this is now”. That time the hikes were sheer robbery of the people’s earnings while now it is the unfortunate situation created by the astronomical rise in the price of crude oil.

Alfred Spiteri

ATTARD