
Monday, 12th May 2008 - 21:17CET
Sant in fighting speech as Parliament returns to business
Opposition leader Alfred Sant made a fighting speech as Parliament settled down to ordinary business this evening, accusing the government of having exceeded the limits of the power of incumbency to win the general election and saying that the President’s address at the State Opening of Parliament lacked substance.
Dr Sant said the Nationalist Party had been turned into a brand and a tool in the hands of a hidden few who controlled all major decision-making in the country. He expressed fears that this network may also try to manipulate the Labour Party but he expressed confidence in the inner strength of the MLP which would not fall into the temptation of becoming a tool in other people’s hands. Indeed, he said, he was confident that the MLP would continue to show its commitment to democracy.
In an hour-long speech in Parliament during the debate on an address to reply to the President’s address, Dr Sant made clear at the start that he would only serve as Leader of the Opposition until Labour elected a new leadership.
He said the government programme as outlined in the President’s address was vague and confused with no new ideas.
“There were many nice words, but where’s the beef?,” he asked.
The government had reiterated its commitment to a balanced budget and also to cutting taxes. During the elections Dr Gonzi had made tax cut commitments which would cost the country up to Lm25 million. How would that be reconciled with balancing the budget?
The President’s speech gave a very negative outlook of the world economy, with grim warnings about its possible impact on Malta. Was the government laying the ground to back pedal on its electoral commitments?
The MLP, he said, was ridiculed before the election for promising to boost the economy by halving the surcharge and removing income tax from overtime, but this government had now not said what it would do.
Rather,
Malta’s best paid banker was advocating wage moderation, even though the value
of wages in Malta had actually declined over the past few years.
Without
actually mentioning ST Microelectronics, the President in his address had
warned on the impact on Malta of a weakening dollar exchange rate against the
euro. The strong euro would also have a negative impact on tourism.
Labour, Dr Sant recalled, had been heavily criticized when it cautioned against Malta rushing to euro adoption. The government, however, had carried on regardless. It, therefore, now had a duty to protect the workers from the consequences of that decision.
This government was also failing to act over a rate of inflation which was rising faster than in the rest of the EU.
Dr Sant spoke at length on Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s involvement in plans to build a disco at Mistra and wondered how the government could feel it had the authority to fight abuse when it was doing its utmost to hide this scandal. How could it fight abuse when its vote majority was three times smaller than the number of votes won by Dr Pullicino Orlando thanks to the PN’s deception before the election?
Dr Sant said the way the government and the PN worked together before the election was shocking. For example, an Air Malta Unit formed of six Nationalists had a prime role to identify and bring to Malta Nationalists living abroad, ignoring the Constitutional provisions on residence for eligibility to vote. In contrast, many Labourites found difficulties to find an Air Malta flight to come here to vote. The PN election office had direct access to this Air Malta unit, which brought some 2,226 people to vote to Malta. Only 23 percent of these were Labour.
The same forces were also employed in the granting of permits at Mepa, in the manipulation of PBS and in the way more than €2 million owed by taxpayers were forgiven in the run-up to the election.
Malta, Dr Sant said, deserved a government that
was truly representative of the Maltese. He was convinced that the majority of
the Maltese ordinarily resident in Malta backed labour. But this majority was
suffering the consequences of the decisions taken by the powerful network which
controlled the PN and the government. These forces were a new threat to dmeocracy.
The Labour Party, however, would continue to bear witness to democracy, good governance, justice and accountability, Dr Sant concluded.




RSS
Comments
For the simple reason that we've learnt not to believe a word Sant says. For many many reasons which I find tiresome to repeat after everyone else has done so for like the past six months. And yet you're still oblivious to them all.
Were you talking about who's out of touch with reality?
Think again
I can't explain his two million euros just as you or Sant won't be able to explain the 1.5 million euros the EU was supposed to give us (which turned out to be hundreds of millions) or the partnership winners' vote or the fact that Sant resigned and is still head of the opposition.
Start thinking with your brains and don't be dangled by the nose by whatever your Sa(i)nt(ly) hero says.
1) Tell Alfred Sant to take them to the Bank
2) I honestly do not believe that you watch NET. That could be a little to much for your intelligence.
3) Both
4) I let Albert Gauci Cunningham to answer, he is more than capable.
Also, give my regards to your Friend Anglu Farrugia.
Since you are so keen with figures, you must know that Dr Sant got the most number of votes, even more than Dr Gonzi himself! Altro che zero!
@Jurgen Cassar
Funny the same thing happens to me when switching on NET TV........
@Andrew Camilleri
quote: It's not Labour that's the problem, it's Sant, his ideas and his clique. I'd vote Labour if they came up with any decent proposals that make actual sense. The thing is they don't. I'm no apologist, but Labour do not really have an idea about how to govern a country.
I think you've got your ideas mixed up a bit, first you say that Labour is not the problem, then ..... I'd vote Labour if THEY came up......THEY don't.......but LABOUR do not.........
Is it Sant or Labour???
@Albert Gauci Cunningham
Still harping about JPO?
I wrote "selective taxpayers" to refer to Alfred Sant's statement about 1,031 people pardoned from income tax dues amounting to €2.6 million in the last few weeks before the elections. Selective, because it's 1,031 people who benefited. Why those 1,031? No I don't know who they are and I DON'T CARE who they are. I hope someone shows law abiding taxpayers that there's nothing to worry about getting €2.6 million in money owed to the state pardoned in the weeks before the election.
Since you make reference to selective taxpayers, I presume you know who they are. Why don't you name them then and get this over with.
In his inimitable style, Dr. Sant lectured parliament and throwing one unexpected surprise, he stated that the MLP is being infiltrated by Nationalists! Wishful thinking Dr. Sant. If you and your circle just crack open the door a bit and let a few Nationalists in, chances are things will be run a bit better behind the glass doors.
Good governance - power of incumbency - are but two favourite phrases popularized by Dr. Sant before the elections and they still echo endlessly in his mind but only if they suit his fantasies. The first one does not apply within the confines of the Labour Party itself but the second one certainly does.
Dr. Sant spent 16 years crying wolf. The effect earned him 22 months in government but repeating the same concerns over and over again and being anti-everything the government does, landed him 14 years in opposition.
Soon the Nationalist Party should compose a sequel to the song 'Flimkien kollox possibbli' and name it (in English this time) "No regrets" to be released when the 'anointed one' takes Dr. Sant's seat in Parliament.
Makes me wonder why the other four are wasting their time! Maybe so that the Nationalists can never accuse the MLP of not being 'democratic'?
Since you seem to be more in touch with reality than us, what is your opinion about more than two million euros in taxes written off for select taxpayers before the general elections, as mentioned by Alfred Sant??
1) Does Dr.Sant believe that Maltese living abroad shouldn't vote? Why didn't he stop them from voting before the elections?
2) Why did Dr.Sant not confront JPO when he had all the opportunity to do it.....and practically nail him to the ground? Why didn't he speak up as soon as he knew the information??
3) Who are these 'powers" that are dictating this island?? Names please!!!! THE TIMES which publishes tens of MLP supporting blogs ( rightly so) on a daily basis???? the Independent?? Xarabank?? The programme which every now and then is full of MLP supporters booing and hissing?? Conspiracies come cheap.........proof doesn't!!!!
4) Does Dr.Sant think that calling Uni sts "faxxisti" , coming up with a half baked, last minute Reception class idea, surcharge bin-nofs while the prices of oil where going up and his pathetic, hysterical speeches did not effect?
4) Is it true DR.Sant and all his "admirers" (???!!!???) that the MLP started the electoral campaign with a 15,000 majority only to be 4,000 votes behind the PN a week before the elections?
5) What has Dr.Sant done which is wrong? Does he still have no regrets?? Or is he regretting his resignation?? Does he regret sending the MLP supporters out to vote on the morrow of a referendum he lost??
6) Is Dr.Sant planning to stick to his chair longer?? Does he not consider his "fighting speech" a direct interference and "paving" the way to the new Leader??
7) Do you MLP bloggers realise that this man is manipulating you for the umpteenth time into believing that he was the MLP's best asset when he actually led you to one defeat after another and to the mess you are in right now??
8) Are we to expect more of the same for the coming 5 years?? Are we to expect an MLP which follows Dr.Sant blindly because the status quo is more comfortable and because some supporters have been made to believe that the PN's days are numbered???
...........failure breeds more failure and if thats what we are to expect after June 5 than this country will really become a democratic dictatorship with too many people afraid to be seen and associated with the MLP! and who's to blame??............sorry Fred!!!!!!!!!
I also fail to understand why some Labour supporters say PN won because they forgave some taxes. It's absolute rubbish. Like saying that PN bought votes. These statements are utterly ridiculous and render the Labour Party uncredible to say the least.
Is this the new way to do politics as Dr Gonzi has promised us as soon as he was elected leader of the PN?
@ All those who again (ad nausea) are mentioning the fiasco at PBS by JPO, Dr Sant was not answerable to JPO because the latter had no right to be there! Punto e basta! It amazes me how some people still remember this fiasco but do not remember the blatant untruths by JPO himself!
But to keep on lapping up to Alfred Sant is just plain INCREDIBLE.
This man has proven time and again that he's just, wait let me be kind, not up to the job! This guy has made the MLP the laughing stock of the islands, if not Europe! He opposed all the strides forward that we have made!
And you STILL stick up to him?
When probably what he's saying is as true as his claim that partnership won and that the 2008 elections were to be won by labour with a 16,000 vote majority??
tsk tsk tsk
No Mr Mizzi. I have not benefited at all. I am more labourite than you can ever hope to be and will accept no favours from GonziPN.
You are missing the point. the issue is not whether the PN used their power of incumbency. Of course they did. All governments do but in 1971, 1981, 1987, 1996 this was not enough to overcome the wave of desire for change. Labour and Dr Sant in particular failed to inspire this wave of desire for change and that's why Labour lost. Power of incumbency is a convenient excuse to justify Sant's failings.
Of course Labour should be in favour of good governance. But what are a million brilliant parliamentary speeches worth if we remain in opposition? From the opposition we cannot deliver our agenda. We can only criticise and make shameless oratory. Meanwhile how about good governance within the party? Is the the way Dr Sant is shamelessly interfereing to favour his protege good governance? Is Dr sant remaining leader of the Oppositon in breach of the constitution good governance? Was his re-election in 2003 before analysing why we lost the election good governance?
Dr Sant is not credible as he does not practice what he preaches!!
maybe Mr. Muscat can enlighten us and state if he was one who benefited EUR2.6 million in tax pardons on the eve of elections. a simple yes or no would suffice.
Who is against Dr. Sant is just against, and I quote from his formidable speech , “good governance”, serious administration which leads to justice, efficiency and accountability of public administration, which a modern democracy deserves,”
Well Done Dr. Sant, A Speech that will certainly go down in history, more than the optuse proposal for a Speaker's seat from The labour side to increase the majority on the N.P. side.
ALL HARD WORKING LAW ABIDING TAXPAYERS PLEASE TAKE NOTE.
Those are the only words that describe all his political career....one of shame, no's and failure...I can't wait for the day when we'll all be seeing gladfully Dr. Sant exiting Parliament for good!
AS speech in parliament yesterday is an insult to the intelligence of true labourites.
Basically he had two messages.
1. Labour lost but it was not his fault - it was the PN's overuse of the power of incumbency
2. Labour should not elect GA as leader as he will bring Nationalists inside Labour's fort.
Both messages are indecent to say the least.
1. Every government uses the power of incumbency. This time is was not at a level superior to that of 1971, 1981, 1987 or 1996 when the wave of change overcome all power of incumbency. One should not forget that a long serving government carries also liabilities of incumbency which is often greater. AS argument is as if Moratti complains that INTER did not win the league last Sunday because of Roma's winning over Atalanta.
These are all excuses Dr Sant. We lost because of your lack of credibility, period. You are the only leader in the world whose party were afraid of pasting up his image on the billboards knowing that AS portrait would scare rather than attract voters.
If anyone is using the power of incumbency it is AS in the way he was re-elected in 2003 before he gave time for the party analysis of the electoral loss to be performed. He is re-using it now in staying on a leader of the oppositon in breach of article 90 of the constitution which says that the Leader of the Oppositon shall be the leader of the main opposition party. The acting leader is Charles Mangion and he should also be acting leader of the Opposition. But the Nats are very happy with AS continuing as Opposition leader as he is surely to sabotage the man they fear most i.e. GA. Who is this crazy who believes that the PN would prefer GA as leader?
2. AS holds a record of three consecutive losses. Stop influencing the leadership race to elect your protege who will protect your own clan within the party. We saw last Friday who this clan is. Michael Cohen and Pawlu Farrugia were there opposing all sorts of change.
It is time for Labour to tackle its problems and distinguish between those in the party who give and those in the party who take and are resisting all change.
Sant should stop insulting our intelligence
But not in Malta. In Malta you must bow to your government masters like slaves on a leash and serve them blindly no matter what they say or do.
Here is the greatest hypocrisy. George Orwell's doublethink at its best. These people want a one-party state (Labour should just shut up about everything and never open its mouth again) and a strong opposition at the same time because they say it is good for democracy. Alfred Sant destroyed all of Malta (in 2 years) yet Dr. EFA and Dr.Gonzi saved it and made it the best (even though Eurostat figures beg to differ and we are free-falling down as one of the most corrupt nations in Europe and press freedoms are dwindling). Then they also say that a political party's sole aim is to win an election. If Labour had to praise everything and anything the PN does then there wouldn't be any reason to choose Labour. If Labour shut its mouth and never said anything than why elect deaf-mutes? In Malta it goes a step further. If Labour holds the government accountable it is branded as a 'no' party, a 'negative' party, a 'mud-slingers' party.
Keep on dismantling democracy. Thats the only way for the NP to win.
Sant again defended his idea of halving the surcharge. But he forgot to mention that since the election, the oil price climbed to $ 124. Imagine Dr. Sant elected as prime minister, addressing a press conference announces that he will reduce the surcharge, while the price is out of control.
I think that Dr. Sant didn't learn the lesson and he is not giving an example to his successor. Whilst in the country there is a sense of "working together" for the best of the country, Sant is still confrontational.
Sant's main accusations are more serious then anyone can imagine.Of course, we are used to the PN's deceitful ways in winning votes. The PN are masters in that . Deceit, lies, half truths, empty promises and twisting truths have been the PN's Trade mark through our political history. However during the last 65 years two other main important traits were added to the PN's trade mark:"back scratchinng at all levels" and "character killing".
Some comments here are just 'a copy and paste' of phrases used by the PN in character killing and in others give a strong smell of back scratching.
The fact is that Sant made more serious accusations yesterday, then the usual deceit of the PN or the PN's famous back scratching policies. He made accusations and alleged that a good number of voters had no "CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE". If this can be confirmed then its effects can be serious too.
But it is worrying to have the Leader of the Opposition take sides against the Maltese people in the looming ST crisis. Alfred Sant yesterday, without referring to ST, implied that what’s happening at ST is Government’s fault. He knows, and everyone knows, that this is not the case. No non-Euro, no devaluation, no wage freeze, no hour-by-hour pay for overtime, none of Hon Alfred Sant’s policies will change the fact that ST pays its employees in China and Malaysia a small fraction of what it pays its employees in Malta.
Maltese people expect the Leader of the Opposition to present a united front with Government in its efforts to secure what is best for the country in the face of a multinational whose sole aim is to maximise its profits. Otherwise people will rightly ask: “Whose interests is Hon Alfred Sant serving?”
Lets not draw Dr.Sant as the example of good citizen for if he knew what JPO was doing he should have made it known before March....Maybe JPO did something and that is wrong but Dr.Sant had the opportunity and he lost it. If MLP will change is in the hands of 900 delegates now...I hope that these persons wants the New Labour to arise for we need an alternative to PN in the country which with the old MLP leadership there was no hope....Tuna raguni biex nivvuttaw Labour....bil-MALTI
In answer to your comments regarding the number of 1st count votes to JPO. Had Dr. Sant been able to challenge JPO at every opportunity that presented itself prior to the election, he would have surely swayed many Nationalists voters from voting for him. He has only himself to blame. Remember prior elections when he threw endless mud at other Nationalists, like Michael Frendo. Unfortunately JPO gathered many sympathy votes because of this.
So Dr. Sant, do the country a favour especially to Labour supporters. Belt up and shut up. Your time is up. Take up reading and writing and have an endless holiday like you once suggested to your previous leader Dom Mintoff who with all his faults, was the most successful Labour Leade todate.
@ The Times. Insulting and degrading comments like those of poor frustrated Bill Millam are always published. Many of the posts I write they are not published in here. Welcome to Indepence and Democracy.
@all PN convulsive insulters let's bet that the next Labour Leader will be shot down by you as soon s/he opens his/her mouth!! I have no doubt on that. The way you express yourselves is simply degrading and clearly shows that you live your lives with hate and regrets.
Is this the good practice to be a good politician?
Dr Sant. take my advice and take up gardening and stay out of politics. Us nationalists are really going to miss your brilliant proposals.
Looking ahead, yes, the Nationalist Party was once more re-elected to Government on a ticket of deceptions and false promises, a number of which have already been unashamedly broken. Hard times lie ahead for the people of Malta and for the Maltese economy. Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and his clique have continually portrayed themselves as the "ideal" and "only" persons capable of guiding Malta through the coming storm clouds. We will now see whether their capability is where their big mouth is.
Yours is the greatest blame if this is the state of affairs. You had enough time to organize yourself. Why didn't you do it? Why did you allow amateurs to steer the helm? It is futile being in fighting mood now. Unfortunately, you are losing support not gaining it. Cliques do more harm than good wherever they are installed.Each politician,whatever his colour,owes it to this nation to deliver the goods and stop the antics. We ordinary people are fed up!
What a freaking sore loser you are!
billumillamerika@yahoo.com
The same old game was used by the PN on the eve of the elections to win it at all cost!
This old game had aid from various government entities like MEPA, the media and so on.
Sant can complain as much as he likes.
He managed again to lose an election
The 3 in a row and yes he is the only person who managed to lose an election even if there was the introduction of the Euro in our country.
He should call it a day in politics
Malta and the laburisit deserve much better then him.
He has been a complete failure unlike Dr Fenech Adami, Mintoff and Gonzi who managed to succeed
He managed also to make worse then KMB.
PN Supporters are playing this new game that whenever the MLP criticizes the government, they accuse the MLP of "playing the old game". What is it that you want? Have a silent opposition who hides the truth from the people? No Way! We will keep preaching the truth just like we did with the JPO case and many others. In the meantime I suggest you think twice before you comment and see who is lying to the people.
As to what Mr Caruana has commented, i would only say that the old Labour games is evidenced in the election result. Formerly the PN majority was five, not it is only one MP. Is this the old game you refer to? Why not say that PN is back to its arrogant style of goverment and as Sant said they used every means at their disposal to cheat the electors. That is the power of incumbency Sant has made reference to twice since the election.
Give us a break and accept that the MLP is a serial loser.
Hardly a surprise. Travelling really does broaden the mind !