Alex Borg urges people to ‘write a new chapter for Malta’ and vote PN

Alex Borg urged people not to be intimidated by government propaganda and vote for change by choosing the Nationalist Party, at the final mass meeting of the election campaign.

The PN leader told thousands of Nationalist supporters gathered at the Luxol Grounds that the time for change was now.

“We started this campaign as underdogs but truth is bigger than propaganda; courage is bigger than intimidation; you are bigger than the government,” Borg said. “We can give Malta a new spring next Saturday,” he insisted in a phrase first used by Eddie Fenech Adami during the EU membership referendum campaign.

“The story of a nation is written when people stand up and say they want to be part of change,” Borg said in poetic terms, even citing phrases from the national anthem.

“This is our moment. This is the chance for young people, workers, pensioners, self-employed, to write a new chapter,” he said.

In an energetic speech interrupted several times by chants of “Nazzjonalisti, Nazzjonalisti”, Borg urged people to believe change is possible.

Middle class

In a nod to the “hardworking middle class”, Borg said that the PN wants to give these people a fresh start. “These people work, pay taxes, do sacrifices but felt squeezed over the past years,” he said, adding the PN wanted to make “their dream, our vision”.

Borg also referenced low-income earners and vulnerable people. “We want to be there for these people and walk side by side with them and I do not want to fail even one person,” he said.

“My pledge to stand by these people is not written in the electoral programme but etched in my heart because I want low-income earners, vulnerable people, the disabled, to enjoy dignity,” Borg said.

He then hit out at the power of incumbency used by the government, citing cheques being posted during the electoral campaign as an example. “Do not boo,” he told supporters. “Do not boo; on 30 May go out and vote.”

Nobody can dictate how you vote

Borg said people should keep what they have been given but insisted that in the polling booth no one can dictate how people vote.

“No party, no candidate, no employer can tell you how to vote. In the polling booth you will be alone; alone with your conscience,” he said.

Alex Borg and Sarah Bajada greeting supporters just before the PN leader started his speech (Photo: PN)

It is only a vote for the PN that can solve the “chaos” created by the government, he said. “Those who created chaos, cannot solve chaos. This country needs a fresh start,” he insisted, adding that under a Labour government the country lost its sense of good and bad.

“We have a prime minister who admits meeting criminals and fuel smugglers. We have a government that abandoned the standards of transparency and accountability. A Nationalist government will ensure that every minister and their partners will declare their assets,” Borg said, drawing a difference between Abela’s government and a new Nationalist administration.

‘Watch over me pa’

In an emotional moment, Borg thanked his family for their support and then addressed his deceased father. “Pa, I hope I have made you proud, keep watching over me to be of service to the Malta and Gozo I truly love,” Borg said as he looked up to the heavens with tears in his eyes.

Hurt Nationalists, disgruntled Labourites

Like he did on several other occasions, Borg addressed Nationalists who were hurt by decisions taken in the past by previous PN administrations. “I apologise, even if I was not there, but my friends today we have a golden opportunity to vote for change. This is a onetime opportunity for our country to start a fresh page, a new chapter, and the architects of this chapter will be young people, the elderly, Maltese and Gozitans, people of goodwill,” he said.

Borg also addressed Labour supporters, who feel betrayed by their own party. “Join us, you have a chance to bring about change,” he said.

‘No time to experiment’

Borg than addressed people who will vote to third parties, insisting this was not the time to experiment. “The future of the country is at stake. Voting for another party will be helping the Labour Party to stay in power. Only a vote for the PN will bring about change,” Borg insisted. It was a déjà vu of a similar message delivered by Fenech Adami 23 years ago in the final meeting of the 2003 election campaign, also at the Luxol Grounds, as Malta had to choose whether to join the EU or not.

“Our system means that who gets the most first preference votes will govern. Every vote counts,” Borg said.

Electoral programme for change

Throughout his speech, Borg recalled several proposals from the electoral programme, which he said will bring about change.

Borg mentioned among others, investment in new hospitals, free cancer medication, more efficient transport, income tax cuts and the removal of inheritance taxes.