Muscat’s appeal for 9 March: ‘vote early in the day’

Labour leader Joseph Muscat drove home the message that the remaining nine days were crucial for his movement to continue convincing more people that it was time to vote for a change in direction.

Muscat was taking part in One TV's TX programme hosted by One journalist Miriam Dalli in Haz-Zebbug. Muscat told the massive crowd who gathered under the tent that this election should not be taken for granted.

"These are nine days during which we have to work more. Nothing can be taken for granted and we must convince more people that a change in direction is needed," he said.

But Muscat had one 'important' message for his loyal supporters: "I want you to vote as early as possible. Please... I know it might sound like a small thing but in reality you would be doing a lot. Don't leave it for after the evening mass."

Muscat also warned that many had not yet collected their vote from localities known to be Labour sympathizers.

"I appeal for everyone to collect his vote... vote for change or else it would be useless lamenting if the same persons, the same face and the same excuses continue ruling the country after 9 March.

"This is the moment of truth... the moment to do away with the politics of the past and turn to politics which unite and to a new way of doing politics."

At one point, Muscat also turned to face the camera and make his appeal to the Gozitans: "I am convinced that Gozitans yearn for change too. Remember that in the voting booth you will be alone and if you feel the need for a change, you have a good pool of candidates from whom to choose."

A much confident Muscat insisted that he was convinced that the proposals his party was putting forward were doable because these were "concrete proposals".

"We know how these proposals would be financed and we know how much they cost. We are not promising everything to everyone... what you see is what you get," he said.

The socialist leader has already pledged that a Labour government would retain the Budget for 2013 as put forward by the PN administration in November. One of the Budget proposals includes the reduction of income tax for those earning between €19,501 and €60,000 from 35% to 25% over three years, starting at 32% in 2013, 29% in 2014 and 25% in 2015.

This evening, Muscat confirmed that this measure would be retained all out, until the high-earners would start paying 25%.

"On the other hand, we cannot forget those who earn less, and that is why we have chosen to reduce their utility bills by 30% and 35%," Muscat said, explaining that low-income earners including pensioners would see their bills reduced by 35% while the utility bills of some 105,000 families would be reduced by 30%.

Muscat capitalised on statistics issued by the National Statistics Office which for the eleventh consecutive month showed a rise in the unemployment rate.

"Yet, during yesterday's debate organised by The Times, the Prime Minister confirmed how much detached from reality he is. He insists that Malta has a full youth employment rate - in reality 15% of the youth are unemployed," Muscat said.

Referring to the press conference organised earlier today by PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil, Muscat insisted that it didn't make sense for the PN to compare the youth employment in Malta with that of Spain.

"Does this mean that by the same yardstick we should compare our wages with that of Germany? We shouldn't feel good because we compare ourselves with those whose situation is worse than ours.

"I want to be compared with countries who fare better than us. We want to create decent jobs and the private sector is the key to this."

Turning his attention towards the public transport reform, Muscat said that he will "surely not take any lessons from the PN government" on traffic management.

"The same persons responsible of the Arriva fiasco are now candidates with the Nationalist Party," he said.

Muscat was adamant that those responsible of the bus tariffs - which according to the EU discriminate between local and foreigners - would have to shoulder their responsibility. He also claimed that a political decision was taken to put the issue on the backburner despite the EU warning. 

"They are aware this is a hot potato. If there are any ministers or candidates who think they can wash their hands off this issue, they are wrong."

Fielding other questions related to yesterday's debate, Muscat said he hadn't been surprised by Lawrence Gonzi's declaration that he wouldn't resign as PN leader if his party loses this election.

"I can't understand why people are surprised by this declaration. It came from a person who latched on to power. And this only goes to confirm how latched on to power he is."