Bernard Grech challenges Labour over energy proposals criticism
'Why is Labour so keen to keep LNG tanker?' former PN leader says
Former PN leader Bernard Grech questioned the Labour Party’s criticism of the Nationalist Party’s energy proposals, as the party presented its candidates for the 11th district during a rally in Attard on Tuesday evening.
Referring to Labour’s reaction to the PN’s proposed fixed fuel hub and the party’s pledge to reduce energy bills by 30 per cent, Grech remarked the PL were more concerned about the fact that the PN would be removing the fixed LNG tanker moored outside Delimara.
“How much is this proposal worrying them? It seems to worry them more that we are getting rid of the tanker.”
He asked why the Labour Party was so interested in keeping the tanker in place in Marsaxlokk and questioned who was benefiting from it.
Grech also noted that former prime minister Joseph Muscat and Energy Minister Miriam Dalli had both commented on the PN’s energy proposals.
In a social media post, Muscat asked where the solar panels included in the PN’s plan to invest €60 million in solar energy would be placed. Dalli also questioned, on social media, how the PN would manage to reduce energy bills.
Later in the evening, PN Leader Alex Borg also addressed the issue, saying Robert Abela had not attacked the PN directly but got Muscat do so instead.
He described Dalli as “the least credible person” to speak about energy and reminded the crowd of the power cuts experienced in recent years.
Borg said the PN was offering a plan and a vision for the next five, 10 and 20 years, rather than relying on “gimmicks or propaganda”.
Grech was speaking alongside Borg and several candidates, including MPs Rebekah Borg and Ivan Bartolo (tal-Mosta). Newer candidates were also present, including former police officer turned lawyer Edmond Cuschieri, PN executive chairperson Joseph Grech and veteran PN journalist and previous MEP candidate Dione Borg.
Addressing the crowd, Grech reflected on the party’s change in leadership and his current role within the PN.
“Two years ago I was the leader and you were the deputy…. Now today you are the leader and I am the deputy because this country needed a breath of fresh air.”
Grech, who was replaced as party leader by Borg last year, said the PN had made significant gains during the last election it contested, the European Parliament election two years ago, when it narrowed the gap with Labour when compared with the previous election.