Labour candidate admits electorate is concerned by unemployment

Former ONE journalist Charlon Gouder confident in garnering votes of non-traditional Labour supporters.

Labour MEP hopeful Charlon Gouder
Labour MEP hopeful Charlon Gouder

Labour MEP hopeful Charlon Gouder has conceded that unemployment and job creation tops the electorate’s list of concerns, Sunday newspaper Illum reveals.

Unemployment rates have seen the Opposition and the government engage in a tit-for-tat battle, with the PN faithful arguing that the government is ignoring the issue. On its part, the government, fresh from announcing Malta’s employment policy, has rebutted the Opposition’s declarations, instead claiming that more job opportunities are being created.

However, in an exclusive interview with Illum, Gouder – a former One Tv journalist – said he is “confident” in the government’s policies and its “vision” for job creation, but nevertheless admitted that unemployment tops the majority’s worries.

“The policy for job creation announced this week by the prime minister addresses the most essential issues. Additionally, the youth guarantee will address unemployment among youths,” Gouder told Illum.

According to the former One journalist, Malta would have been better off today if the previous administration had accepted Joseph Muscat’s advice on the youth guarantee programme two years ago.

Making his candidature bid, Gouder said he would always be at the disposal of the electorate.

“I have tried to use my position as a journalist to give a voice to those who needed it, to ask those questions that people wanted to be asked. I want my candidature to be the same: a useful tool in the hands of the electorate,” Gouder said.

During the interview, Gouder reiterated he would adopt the government’s positive energy if he were to be elected as member of the European Parliament, pledging his determination and absolute loyalty to the country.

Considering himself “close” to the Labour’s grassroots, Gouder feels confident he is attracting the votes of non-traditional Labour supporters.

“The Labour faithful know me well because I have long been militating within the party. But I am also meeting other persons who pledged their support even though they do not usually associate themselves with our movement, and may vote Labour for the first time,” a confident Gouder said.

Read more in today's issue of Illum.