Muscat promises ‘a new middle class’ and commitment towards social mobility

Addressing the party’s general conference Muscat said the Labour Party is “an inclusive movement, and not a party of the few and chosen.”

“We are establishing ourselves as the voice of common sense and moderation. This movement has regained ambition which aspires to higher and farther things.”

Muscat reiterated that the LP is filled with vibrant and positive energy which understands its responsibilities and does not underestimates the problems it might inherit if elected in government. “Currently, the economy, the social sectors and especially environment are worse than it had been in the 1970s,” he said. Muscat added the LP will focus on being the base of a movement far greater than simply a political party.

“We are now far closer to the general elections than we have ever been. We should not make the mistake of believing the win is ours,” Muscat stressed. He also said there is much more work the party should focus on as “the work of these last two years were aimed at showing our consistency more than anything else.”

The Opposition Leader claimed citizens’ complaints have now turned into anger. “Families are feeling betrayed, irrespective of whom and how they voted in the past,”  he said. “It is now time to open the doors to a new change.”

Claiming that people do not want change for the sake of change but because they need it, Muscat said at the heart of the LP’s plan for a new government laid big changes. “Our priority will be social mobility – a phrase we have long forgotten,” he said. “We will not be jealous of the successful but we will stand behind them, congratulating them and encouraging their work.”

Muscat said that Gonzi’s “bad-governance” emanates from the fact he lacks ambition and a concrete vision of Malta’s future.

“But we have that. Our aim will be placing Malta at the top post at EU level.”

Muscat said: "This government is lacking in ambition, direction, leadership, vision and principles,” he said. “Our citizens need and want to be able to understand a government’s aims and plans – something which Gonzi’s government is not delivering.”

Muscat said his party’s vision will be social mobility, a new and improved middle class and environmental sustainability: “our aims are clear, our politics have a direction.”

Describing it as a five-year roadmap, Muscat said this plan will be clearly stated in the electoral. He said it will clearly state what the LP’s projects will be and they will only “make promises which we fully know we can keep.”

“Our project goes father than winning an election, which after all is simply a day of crucial choice for the country.”

“A new Labour government would shoulder the burdens with you and distribute to you the country’s wealth we would generate,” Muscat stressed.

Recalling the 12,000 persons who between them are still waiting to receive €33 million in refunds, Muscat said “there is no politics of family without political economy since inefficiency in economy also leads to family breakdown.”

Muscat also promised “a fight” against red tape: “Those who come up with innovative ideas find before them a wall of red tape. But because we believe that a businessman’s place is within our movement we will be assuring a level playing field in all sectors, especially the private one.”

Muscat stressed a Labour government will not discriminate between big and small business: “As much as we esteem companies we esteem cooperatives.”

Referring to comments by the Nationalist party “accusing” Muscat of insensitivity when he said Malta should unleash a tourism publicity campaign in view of the unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, Muscat said “they can’t criticise me for never having said anything to bring investment to Malta.”

He said the education sector should also serve an economic function: “Our aim is to provide job opportunities to those four in every ten students who cannot find work. Through this we would also be creating social mobility.”

He also said that children will be at the heart of the Labour Party, and decisions will only be taken if they are good for them.

Muscat said that being the leader of a party which is “moderate and upholds common sense”, he has and always will pronounce himself in favour of divorce.

“However, as much as it is easy for me to impose my decision on my party, I will not do so. I believe in tolerance and thus I believe this decision should be put up to a free vote leaving MPs in the liberty to vote according to their conscience,” he said.

 Addressing the energy sector, Muscat referred to Gonzi’s announcement of Malta considering a natural gas pipeline.

“Just eight months ago government had said this choice was not feasible and now he is saying he is considering the idea. So why didn’t he work on it from the start?” Muscat asked, stressing this decision of operating the power station on heavy fuel oil will hold Malta back by 10 years.

Muscat claimed the energy sector is on the verge of crisis because of the lack of transparency and foresight by government when purchasing oil.

On Gozo, Muscat said a Labour government has a revamped perception of the sister island: “For us Gozo is the motor of economy. We will work on generating economy from within the island to its residents.”

Referring to the planned tunnel which will connect the two islands, Muscat said he is in favour of having the best permanent link which connects the two.

“But this decision should be taken by the Gozitans and not imposed on them,” he stressed.

Muscat questioned how government will be able to promise a tunnel built in 24 months when “already 15 years have passed and the building of the terminal in Xewkija is not yet finished?”

Speaking about the health sector in the country, Muscat criticised the stock mismanagement of medicine and the humiliating experience patients have to suffer when they are placed in corridors because there are no beds available.

Touching the subject of IVF, Muscat said IVF in Malta has been without any regulation since it was developed.

“Now, I cannot understand why government wants to reopen the package on a law which has already been approved by members of both sides of the House,” he said.

Muscat closed off his speech by referring to the Egyptian crisis, calling for the protection of journalists to be able to work without being threatened. He also called on to the EU to be strong against the mistreatment of Christians in these countries. But he stayed clear of repeating his mistake of 'taking advantage' of the Egyptian crisis.