Simon Busuttil offers guarantee for the future

PN deputy leader presents himself as ‘guarantee’ that a new Nationalist government will not repeat the same mistakes

PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil
PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil

In case you tuned in late and missed the subliminal message that underscored Simon Busuttil's opening comments in tonight's PBS conference, don't worry - he would repeat the same general thrust with practically every subsequent declaration.

The Nationalist Party has made mistakes in the past five years, he freely admitted (several times over, in fact). But Busuttil himself was not around to do anything about those mistakes at the time when they occurred.

Now, however, things are different. Now he is the party's deputy leader... so if the PN is returned to power next Saturday, there will be Simon Busuttil in its ranks to personally see to it that the PN does live up to its promises of putting on a more humane face, etc.

That, at any rate, was the innuendo that accompanied nearly all his contributions to this evening's debate... which otherwise comprised the usual mantra of how (in spite of all these mistakes) the PN has nonetheless succeeded in weathering the economic storm, and has defied the European pattern by creating jobs and presiding over a period of economic growth... unlike Spain, Cyprus, and so forth... and therefore remains the safe choice for people who valued the important things in life: i.e., work, education and health.

With hindsight, it remains unclear whether this apparent over-reliance on Simon Busuttil - a campaign strategy which was heavily underscored even by the mere fact that the PN chose to send its deputy leader (and not Gonzi himself) to speak on its behalf - forms part of a bid to somehow distance the party from its own leader: who, in a curious reversal of the 2008 campaign, may no longer be considered an electoral asset for the PN.

If so, it is a strange message to put forward so late in the campaign - and in fact journalists present could hardly mask their own surprise, when Simon Busuttil very nonchalantly gave the impression that he was attributing all the PN's present unpopularity to mistakes made in the past by an invisible Lawrence Gonzi... mistakes which he himself would soon rectify.

Yet Busuttil stuck to this line repeatedly throughout the programme. Asked by my colleague Jurgen Balzan why the PN had failed to implement so many promises contained in its 2008 manifesto - a manifesto that he himself had authored - Busuttil simply stated that while he had indeed authored the manifesto, he was not part of the government that was subsequently entrusted to translate its contents into action.

"So I cannot comment on the government's failure to keep those promises," was his rather revealing reply.

Oddly enough, the same consideration did not stop Busuttil from loudly singing the same government's praises over a number of successes in the fields of work, education and health... despite the fact that he wasn't part of the government that had registered those successes, either.

But it was the extreme confidence in his own abilities to succeed - where Gonzi and everyone else has so far failed - that would ultimately emerge as the single clearest leitmotif of his performance tonight.

Occasionally, this same self-assurance would translate into a number of truly remarkable claims, such as: "it's not true that the PN has been in power for 25 years - it's only been five years, since that was when the PN last won an election."

Over to the questions now, and it was veteran journalist Noel Grima who opened fire with a query on Busuttil's own role as the Prime Minister's 'special delegate' to civil society over the last two years.

In that capacity, Busuttil has already had plenty of time to build bridges to the aggrieved and the disillusioned. So why are so many still clearly aggrieved?

Busuttil instantly deflected the inherent suggestion that the scope of this position was to 'accommodate' demands through clientelism. But he broadly acknowledged that the PN had indeed been less than successful in its efforts to 'focus on people'.

His proposed solution? "My personal commitment in this campaign is to do my best to address this defect once and for all."

Meanwhile, if Malta experienced a slight tremor at around 8.45pm last night, it may well have had something to do with the collective reactions of the local hunting community to what Busuttil said next.

Referring to his earlier days (before 2003) as the head of the Malta-EU Information Centre, Busuttil said that "my job was to explain to the people how Malta's accession to the EU would affect them. People know that I did this honestly..."

It fell to One TV's Jonathan Attard to raise one aspect of the PN's performance that did not exactly shine with honesty... the honoraria issue.

Asked the rather blunt question of how much of this weekly increase was actually returned by MPs, Busuttil returned the equally blunt answer that: "I was not an MP, so I did not receive any salary increase."

OK, but how much money was returned? Again, Busuttil stuck to his earlier line that 'the PN had made mistakes' - the honoraria being one such example - but the moment it realised this mistake, it took action to rectify the matter.

Nonetheless, Busuttil stopped short of supplying figures: insisting that, because he was not himself involved, he did not know the precise sum that had to be returned (which incidentally raises the separate question of why the PN would send a representative who had no answers to specific questions about the PN government's own record.)

Nor was this the only question to remain conspicuously unanswered. Asked why the PN became the only party to ignore a questionnaire sent by the Malta Gay Rights Movement, Busuttil frankly admitted that... he hadn't the faintest idea.

"I don't know. I might have received the email, but simply didn't notice it in the deluge of emails. It might have ended up my desk, but I can't say for sure."

Paradoxically (given how shakily this reply began) Busuttil somehow managed to turn this admission into perhaps his strongest moment of the entire evening.

"Our commitment is to pass the law against discrimination - and all other pending laws, including the whistleblowers' act and party financing - in our first 100 days in office. So in 100 days' time, you will be able to challenge us on whether he have lived up to this promise."

On the issue of gay rights alone, Busuttil reminded viewers that his work as an MEP had involved drawing up a powerful statement against homophobia which would be endorsed by the European parliament.

Elsewhere, a rather bland question about the PN's energy proposal provided Busuttil with a platform on which to bash Labour's equivalent proposal on all the perceived flaws that have been repeated throughout this campaign. Malta does not need a new power station; the timeframes are unrealistic; Labour proposals will not decrease tariffs by 25% but rather increase them by 5%; and of course, the inevitable reference to 'two gas tanks the size of Mosta Dome each'.

Busuttil also mounted a spirited defence of the PN's choice to wage a 'dirty campaign'. Pointing out how a court case halfway through the election had revealed recordings in which Toni Abela (PL deputy leader) had admitted failing to report a suspected case of drug trafficking to the police, Busuttil insisted that this marked the real difference between the two parties: the PN took action against illegality; Labour did not.

But while he did at moments hit the right tone of sincerity - certainly, his admissions of past mistakes makes a welcome change from the self-aggrandisement we have come to expect from the PN these days - my gut feeling is that Busuttil's remarkably self-reliant performance tonight will be seized on by political opponents as a display of typical Nationalist 'arrogance'.

And who knows? Perhaps that's all part of the plan...

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Simon Busuttil is placing himself as a guarantee that things will change. So then he admits that things are not right! ... If the GO-nzi needs the Busullotta as a guarantee, then he is saying in other words he is saying that GO-nzi cannot be trusted! ... What a duo! ... Busullotta aka the Gimmick also claims to have written the PN manifesto for 2008, but then he was not around to ensure that it would be implemented. It was not his fault that most of it was not implemented since he was not even part of the government team ... So why did he write the manifesto in the first place? This is an admittance that for the PN the manifesto is simply a fairy tale and not a serious commitment that it makes with the votes of a programme it will deliver! ... So why should we trust you now Busuttil? ... You are not even the party leader - or are you?! What guarantee do we have that YOU will be still around after the election and that the Gonz is not using you like he's already used so many others before you? ... Who would be really getting if we vote pn? ... Sorry Mister but the more I hear from and about you and your ilk the more I am convinced that the solution is Joseph Muscat.
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Dear Simon, I am on a pension and looking forward that this whole show will be over soon, it is just too much, maybe we soon get to know the meaning of the new budget what it will have instal for us pensioners. I guess to what I hear Labour will win this one, you do not have to worry, you can always go back to Brussels back to your friends after all your income in the thousands of euros a month or pension is still coming. That's not bad Dr. Simon, can you advise us how we can be in your shoe financially that is?
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Zomma ghalik il garanzija grazzi hafna specjalment issa li wasal iz zmien li nehilsu minkomm darba ghal dejjem
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Simon Busuttil confessed last night on TVM that MGRM's questionnaire might have been misplaced somewhere amongst the pile of mail he had received recently. Is this the sort of importance and priority the PN's second in command gives to LGBT issues? Surely Simon Busuttil should be aware of MGRM's recent statement to the press. However even if we were to give him the benefit of the doubt that he genuinely did not know about the questionnaire, surely in his answer to the journalist he should have declared that he will make sure that MGRM's questionnaire will be answered soon. But Simon Busuttil is not real about LGBT issues and what's on the PN electoral program on the issue equals to a load of baloney. Simon once again came up with his usual fairy tale rhetoric. This is the person, who according to Laurence Gonzi's promise, should the PN win next Saturday's elections, will be spear heading a project that will keep the PN in touch with the people. Indeed Simon himself said that if the PN is returned to power next Saturday, there will be Simon Busuttil in its ranks to personally see to it that the PN does live up to its promises of putting on a more humane face. Words are cheap for these people. MGRM must take a clear stand and spell out the position of each political party if they are to retain their position as a serious political lobby group that means business.
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Dear Simon, It's all a matter of CREDIBILITY..a precious thing that you and your GonziPaNic lost especially during these last five years!!!!No matter what you say or try to impliment..you and your clique will not be taken seriously. You have been fooling us for a long time now and the majority of us Maltese and Gozitans are sick and tired of your Gonzipn tatics and broken promises. It's time up Simon....we are very much looking forward for a new Labour Government and an end of your Gonzipn clique!!! We deserve much better than your pathetic speeches!!!
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SB = Simon Busuttil TF = Total Failure TD = Total Disaster SB=TF=TD
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We do not believe you Simon: You have washed your hands in the blood of the Nationalist Party. The same of the same.
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I think SB thinks he is the second coming, what a joke, This man thinks we are stupid, Sorry Simon you have shown what you are since the election run started, you are two faced..
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My oh my . Look who's guaranteeing us that gonzipn would not repeat the same mistakes. I wish that I could believe you but your gonzipn and Clyde Puli have stuck to separate this country in tow. Not only that, Puli said that if relected it would be of the same PLUS. AS regards yourself you have complies with your friends when you openly said that Deborah Schembri had the face of a Nationalist. So please stop taking the people for a ride and go back to Brussels, dear Busullotti.
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F kaz li ifallu meta ser jirrizernja ... per ezempju wara sena????
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I am not convinced. How can one man be effective in controlling the shenanigans of a whole party of ministers and ministries when he is not even the leader, even in the case of an unlikely return to power? In the more likely case of a defeat the situation then becomes even more interesting for this relatively new front man untainted by his parties' past misdemeanours having to co-exist with Gonzi who has already said he will not resign in case of defeat. I do not see them co-existing for long.
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Legalities Mr Busuttil!! ...Your sister knows all about legalities in Mayfair London .. Doesnt she Sir !
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Legalities Mr Busuttil!! ...Your sister knows all about legalities in Mayfair London .. Doesnt she Sir !
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Ad nauseam. What's the fear? Didn't SB say he will celebrate victory on 10th March?
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"GUARANTEE MY FOOT".Dear Mr Busuttil I know that you are honest, but you came to late. We are fed up of corruption and illegalities from MEPA.I pity all in this country of ours,the double face politictions have been lying constant since St Paul's came to Malta.
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Anette B Cassar
Busuttil offers more of the same.
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simon, fejn jaqbilu wiehed min ta gewwa, u fejn ma jaqbilux mandux xjaqsam, imma dan il prcinel wiehed milli issaqsi lil JOSEPH MUSCAT biex jerfa risponsabilta ta xamel il partit laburista 20,30 sena ilu.Qabilek tipqa MEP, ghax sirt imbaraz bhal kumplament tal pn.
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Oh yes! Leave it to beaver! Hallina Xmun! Your place is in a legal office advising people how to dreg the rich EU hopelessly bureaucratic gravy train.
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David Bongailas
"a new Nationalist government will not repeat the same mistakes"............now when did i hear this one before ?? oh yes march the 5th 2008!!!! The problem with Simon Busutill is that he honestly believes we are a bunch of idiots.
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Simon must be confused, as once he declared that all 2008 election promises were kept and today he is stating that many were not kept and that it was not his fault as he was not part of the government. Confusion, ignorance, misleading people or just not being truthful.
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Garanzija falza u skaduta.
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Yeah, the tribalism guarantee! I wonder if he will be jodging us by our faces to see if we are worthy of getting our rights or not! Hallina minnek Simon! Unfortunatly you have proved that you are no different from the rest of GonziPN. If we had any doubts your negativity and arrogance during this debate put them at rest.
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Dejjem l-istess skuża...ma kontx hemm...Mela għalfrjn intħalt biex issir viċi kap tal-partit nazzjonalista Simon? Qabel kont f'karigi oħra u messek kont taf.
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Emmanuel Mallia
Dear Simon, Your charisma has faded. You have not made any radical changes since you were appointed as deputy ! You are young, but your politics are old ,outdated, not convincing, like Gonzi's. We are still waiting to know, what you intend to do , if elected. The bla bla bla about yester years is not doing the party any good.
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kliem sabih..imma lghada jergaw ikunu arroganti..le tafdawhx
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By assuming the deputy leadership of your GONZIPN you accepted the post in sickness and in health and you have to assume all the responsibility of the massive failures and corruption pervalent in your party. You have persistently insisted that your Government did no wrong and it is only now in the 9th week that you, Simon, are admitting that your GONZIPN wronged the Maltese People in a very bad way. By not accepting this fact 9 weeks ago, your plea for forgiveness is only a plea for votes and as your leader says, by voting for the PN you get a whole lot of the same. Enough is enough.
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Simon please keep me and my like in mind just in case the referendum issue rises from the ashes. Good luck Mark
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Dr. Busuttil is no guarantee at all. If he believes that he s capable of guaranteeing anything, then he's delusional! Always unable to answer questions......."because that happened before my time". Why do they bother to send him to answer questions? Or maybe that's the whole point, not to have to answer questions?
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Fabian Psaila
Min irrid jithaq b'min? Issa qedin jammettghu li saru l'izbalji.... X'INHUMA DAWN L'IZBALJI LI L-PN U SIMON qieghed jghati garanzija li mhux sejrin jergghu jsiru? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ U AKTAR IMPORTANTI MIN GHAMILHOM DAWNL'IZBALJI , il-Pn? GonziPN? jew it-tmexxija ta Lawrence Gonzi? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ U fil konfront ta' min saru dwn l'izbalji??????