Labour-led local councils suffer from discrimination - PL

The Nationalist government discriminated against Labour-led local councils, the Opposition MP Stefan Buontempo said.

He said it is clear that the GonziPN government is hindering the work of certain local councils such as the councils in St Paul's Bay, Kirkop and Msida, which are all led by Labour majorities.

Buontempo explained that due to this discrimination the councils "cannot carry out their duties."

"Instead of aiding the councils in the resident's best interests, the Gonzi PN government is hindering these councils."

The MP pointed out that the government is dragging its feet in appointing executive secretaries and stopping councils from implementing their programmes.

Buontempo said the St Paul's Bay local council executive secretary was transferred to the PN led Mosta council "just hours after" the Labour Party gained a majority in St Paul's Bay in the March elections.
He added that the government has not yet appointed an executive secretary for the St Paul's Bay council.
"The main objective of these moves is to hinder the Labour led councils from carrying out their duties and give an impression that they are incompetent," Buontempo said.

The Labour MP added that the Kirkop council is in a similar situation and currently does not have an executive secretary. 

"This is causing great distress to residents of these localities, in which families of different political creed reside. The Prime Minister is not being sensitive to the inconveniences caused in a number of localities," the MP said in his concluding remarks.