In an unlikely reference to former Labour Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, Nationalist Party Leader Simon Busuttil told those present at the political event in Cottonera to do what Mintoff would have done, and put Malta first in the coming elections.

Acknowledging that Cottonera is deeply-rooted with Labour Party supporters, Dr Busuttil said, "I know how many times Dom Mintoff has spoken here and has stated that Malta comes before everything, I know that you kept believing in Mintoff and supported him. You always believed that what he did was for Malta because for him, Malta become before everything."

Nationalist Party Leader Simon Busuttil was addressing party faithful in the Southern locality of Cospicua, as part of the party's electoral campaign titled 'I Choose Malta'.  

"I ask you to reflect on this only," he continued, "how would Dom Mintoff have acted to situations where the Government was doing things like selling Zonqor Point,  selling passports or  Enemalta?" he asked, listing others. Addressing those "who were always loyal to Mintoff and are now torn between the party and the  country," Dr Busuttil said ,"do like Mintoff, put Malta before everything." 

Dr Busuttil went on to mention party pledges which were announced earlier today, linked with the economy and persons with a disability.

The economy pledges include the creation of 30,000 new 'quality jobs' in the private sector, increasing the average wage in the industry by 25%-30% and to register a surplus in the budget every year in order to begin reducing national debt. Dr Busuttil also emphasized that a PN-government, if elected, would also begin immediately to re-build the country's reputation abroad.

The pledges linked with persons with a disability include  the creation of a scheme called 'Lifeplan', to increase the independence of people with a disability after the carers of the individual may pass away. Amongst others, the party is also pledging to support individuals with a disability financially by raising the pensions of those individuals with a severe disability who cannot work, by raising their pension to that of minimum wage.

"In the past four years Maltese people have been quiet in their homes, listening, and in these past days, these past weeks, I felt the Maltese population has risen, started to talk, and now is the time that our country is calling to me, and I am going to be there for my country," concluded Dr Busuttil, ending off with the campaign slogan "I choose Malta."

Candidates from the second district who spoke at the event were Malcolm Bezzina, Ivan Bartolo, Mary Bezzina, Charles Bonello, Doris Borg and Kevin Cassar, Errol Cutajar, Salvu Mallia, Angelo Micallef, Josie Muscat, Stephen Spiteri, Ruben Teeling and Jason Zammit.

Referring to the graffiti vandalism on Fort St Elmo's historic walls against Salvu Mallia repeated by media earlier today, Mr Mallia said "tomorrow I am going to put a bouquet of flowers in front of Fort St.Elmo," as a sign of mourning and to send a message against this type of vandalism.

Many of the candidates spoke about the the social situation in the south, which was criticized by the Labour Party last week, after Nationalist Party Leader Simon Busuttil highlighted the need for social housing and attention to social issues in the south.  

Referring to this situation, Mr Micallef said, "I am happy to be part of a party where the vulnerable are not forgotten." Nationalist MP Stephen Spiteri mentioned how from 20 families he spoke to "15 spoke about have a problem with housing," "therefore we ask the Government, what have you done in the past four years to help these people?" he said.