The Labour government was labelled as the “champagne socialist” type by Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech on Sunday, due to it leaving vulnerable sectors by the wayside due to Malta’s economic boom.

“Of course we call them champagne socialists,” Grech said, adding that the government had forgotten vulnerable sectors of society, such as the disabled. He continued that a good economy is no excuse to ignore the people who want to live better, and concluded that the PN’s socio-economic model will give the people capital whilst making the people’s quality of life an “absolute priority.” 

Following Malta’s Independence Day celebrations, Grech said that the people are “without a doubt” understanding that there are 2 parties: “one struggling with internal problems, stagnated by looking to the past and a party that understands what the people needs and one that sees a need for a change in the economy: a social economy.”

He continued that the PN’s vision is not just one in which the people will be economically better off but where they will also able to enjoy time with their loved ones in a clean country. He added that the concept of the economy of the person must also take into consideration people’s daily behaviour, and investments in infrastructure amongst others.

Grech said that the new PN slogan “ ’il Quddiem” is not just a theme but an obligation for the party to move forward to help the country be better in the short, medium and long-term. He said that the PN has a plan with fixed policies unlike the Prime Minister’s “weather vane” behaviour wherein he changes policies based on the results of a survey. “We uphold the values of respect and community. The individual is the centre of our policies, not just for the economy to move forward but so that the person can move forward as well,” he said.

Grech expressed solidarity with Police force for their invaluable work which he acknowledged is a risk to their own safety in order to keep the public safe. He pointed out however, that the attack is due to a climate of impunity and disrespect, saying, “It is inaudible and a shock for me to see a policeman attacked or even spoken to disrespectfully.”

Grech said that solidarity is not enough, “We need an ecosystem in the country in which if one breaks the law, there are consequences adding that this impunity and lack of consequences led to people to thinking they can do what they want.

Grech said that the Prime Minister’s weakness stems from a lot of shortcomings and the behaviour of people in public office who think that they can treat others however they want. He said that he never forgot how Prime Minister behaved towards Isabel Bonnici, when she was lobbying for an inquiry into her son Jean Paul Sofia’s death, when he told her many things to try and “break her.”

Grech said that the Prime Minister is being challenged because he “lost moral authority and his parliamentary group”, going on to give the example of Edward Scicluna who remained governor of the central bank, pointing out that the Prime Minister didn’t even tell him to leave, rather three ministers were sent to speak to Scicluna following a Cabinet meeting. He said that the Prime Minister cannot take necessary action for the sake of the Maltese population due to its internal problems which disallow it from focusing on the problems of the country. He illustrated his point by saying that Sunday’s It-Torca “mirrored” the PN’s Independence talks.

Grech said that the government fought with teachers and failed to invest in health as well as refusing the PN’s invitation to open proceedings in order to get the VGH money back. He pointed out that the Malta Chamber of Commerce telling the Prime Minister “time up” is a “strong message.”

Grech said that the government’s penchant for “strategies and PowerPoints is second to none” before pointing out that many strategies have remained on the shelf “gathering dust.” He said that in essence, the government tries to sell ideas to the people.

Grech reminded that two or three years ago, the government had the theme ‘the Malta we want to leave our children’ and pointed out that currently Malta is laden with corruption, overdevelopment amongst other issues. He said that “All this government did was load without foresight” and though the government can make many strategies action is left wanting.

Grech concluded by saying that a PN government will prioritise Malta’s problems reiterating the PN’s pledge to help better the country in the short, medium and long-term whilst giving importance to a holistic environment policy from the urban to countryside to immediate surroundings. He added that the PN will advance with prudence since, “The funds are not of the PN but the people.”