‘Ban donations from big business’, Richard Cachia Caruana says
Fenech Adami's former head of secretariat and others were asked what Alex Borg should focus on to move the PN forward
Political parties should prioritise rebuilding their finances while banning donations from big business, Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta’s former permanent representative to the EU, has said.
Asked by Times of Malta what areas newly elected PN leader Alex Borg should focus on to move the party forward, Cachia Caruana, who was also former prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami’s head of secretariat, said another of the party’s priorities should be building from scratch the volunteer networks that always ran political parties in Malta.
He said these priorities apply not only to the Nationalist Party but indeed all parties in Malta.
Cachia Caruana said there should also be a place for everyone within the PN and other parties for those who have not brought politics or their party into disrepute.
Party media must move into the 21st century without leaving behind those who cannot keep up, Cachia Caruana said.
Another point raised by Cachia Caruana was that loyalty to colleagues and party members will ensure loyalty of both to the leadership.
On a national level, Cachia Caruana said there should be no sacred cows – economic policies must reflect reality and sustainability.
“Those who make the profits must pay all the costs that allow these profits to be made. Today, many of these costs are paid by ordinary citizens not the ‘investor’. Incentives yes, where required, but properly costed and subsidies only to those individuals who need them,” he said.
Cachia Caruana said that, where possible, priority should be given to EU states and candidate countries as a source of labour.
Other imported labour should only be for reasons of health and international competitiveness.
Cachia Caruana said priority should be given to health and education where government expenditure is concerned, and there should be control on competition by foreigners for affordable housing.
He said the environment, infrastructure and sustainable infrastructure must look 20 years ahead. On a final note, Cachia Caruana said a stop must be put to those who “laugh” at law-abiding citizens, be it on the roads, in business or in taxation.
The party of the workers
In his comments to Times of Malta about the PN leadership election, broadcaster Peppi Azzopardi warned against the new PN leader taking the party to the right of the political spectrum.
Doing so would leave a void on the left, a space that has been left unoccupied by the “capitalist” Labour Party.
Peppi Azzopardi“The PN needs to become the party of the workers. When Eddie Fenech Adami first became opposition leader, he declared that his heart is with the workers. In doing so, he pulled the rug from underneath Labour.”
Azzopardi said the PN needs to tackle issues plaguing people’s lives, like drugs, usury and alcoholism. He said millionaires do not need help from politicians, rather they must be kept in check, so they do not exploit others.
He said Alex Borg should not use up precious time on ideas like setting up a podcast but, instead, train others on how to convey the party’s message in the media. “From 8am till 8pm, he needs to meet people on the ground or phone them. It is personal contact that people want.”
Azzopardi said if Borg’s opponent, Adrian Delia had made just 10 more phone calls, he would have won the leadership contest. The broadcaster also reminded how ex-prime minister Joseph Muscat systematically met people daily, for years on end, while in opposition.
Finding a raison d’être
Graffitti activist Andre Callus said the Nationalist Party needs to rediscover its battle cry and reason for existing.
Callus said that, without this raison d’être, the PN has struggled to come across as relatable to people.
In order to have a chance at electoral success, the party must tackle the issues that are negatively impacting people, like Malta’s economic model, working conditions, unaffordable housing and the exploitation of thousands of foreign workers.
To do this, the PN must not be afraid to step on certain toes, particularly those of big business interests that have been empowered.
Andre' Callus.“The PN needs to have the strength to take these people on,” Callus said.
He questioned whether the PN under its new leader will be able to do this, given Borg’s history of kowtowing to developers. Callus also expressed concern about Borg’s apparent admiration for right-wing politicians like Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni.