News 21/07/2002

Alfred Mifsud tight-lipped after ordeal

By Kurt Sansone

Labour Party candidate Alfred Mifsud was uncharacteristically tight-lipped when contacted by MaltaToday for his reaction to the controversy that erupted over recent declarations he made on VAT and the EU referendum.

"I am not giving any comments at all," he repeated more than once. Mr Mifsud would neither comment on the issue of diversity in political parties, something, which is common occurrence abroad.

Mr Mifsud’s differing views are creating anxiety in the Labour Party still wary of the problems created by Dom Mintoff and Lino Spiteri during the two-year stint in government.

The former Mid Med Bank chairman agrees with the retention of VAT, an issue, which the party has yet to decide upon. But party officials are stressing that a decision on the issue will be taken by means of a general conference to avoid the fiasco prior to the 1996 election when the decision to oppose VAT was taken by the Labour leader alone.

Pressure from various sectors of the economy is mounting on the Labour Party to take a decision on VAT. A survey carried out by the Chamber of Commerce recently found that a vast majority of business operators favour the retention of the VAT system. Many argue that the country cannot afford another economic shock by changing its taxation system once again – it would be the fourth change since 1995.

Mr Mifsud has consistently denied that he has set his eyes on the leadership of the party if the election is lost but people close to him insist that it is his ambition to lead the Labour Party. The financial adviser prides himself on a string of successes in his career including the successful fund-raising campaign to construct the new Labour headquarters and the increase in audience ratings for Super One under his chairmanship.