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The fourth day of the electoral campaign
By MaltaMedia News
Feb 7, 2008 - 8:14:20 PM
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On the fourth day of the electoral campaign, the Malta Labour Party's general conference approved its
electoral programme for the general elections.
The Leader of the Opposition and the Malta Labour Party Dr Alfred Sant
said the family will be central to the Plan for a New Beginning both on
a local and on the national context and promised removing VAT from educational items.
During a visit to Zejtun, on Thursday morning, he praised the Labour-led local council’s work, which Dr Sant said, has improved the quality of life of families. He said that Zejtun council’s social work is a witness of what the Labour party can offer on a national level.
Under a Labour administration, local councils would be supported by government to implement two projects which would at origin be beyond the council’s resources. In the case of Zejtun these would be the finishing of the ring road and the upgrading of the housing estate of Hal Tmiem.
Dr Sant also said that when the MLP is in government, the fight against illiteracy would be strengthened in every locality with the aim of offering children a better education.
On Thursday evening MLP published its draft electoral programme for discussion by its delegates at an extraordinary general conference meeting between Thursday and Friday.
The programme includes proposals such as the reduction of the power surcharge by half, the removal of income tax on overtime work and the introduction of a new reception class before primary school amongst others.
On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi met the Malta Employers Association (MEA) as part of the Nationalist Party’s consultation process in drafting the electoral programme.
Dr Gonzi stated that the financial package being proposed by the PN addresses mothers, workers, families, the self-employed sector and small businesses. He said that past incentives, including tax cuts, have yielded positive results and the newly proposed package will do the same in stimulating economic growth beyond the 4% that has already been reached over 2007.
Dr Gonzi said that the proposed package reveals the difference between the Nationalist and the Labour parties, especially in policies related to employment, work, economic incentive and privatization policies.
The Prime Minister emphasized the fact that the culture of open dialogue and consultation which the Nationalist Party introduced throughout its legislature will characterize the PN in the years to come.
In another meeting, called by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) on Thursday afternoon, the union grouped the leaders of all four contesting parties to explain its proposals for the general elections.
Union General Secretary, Mr Gejtu Vella, told Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Dr Alfred Sant, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo and Azzjoni Nazzjonali deputy leader Mr Anglu Xuereb that the union had prepared a wide-ranging memorandum covering all aspects of society.
Amongst these Mr Vella, mentioned the need of a Consumer Affairs' Authority which would effectively perform the role of protecting and informing consumers. Higher efficiency and coordination by the other regulatory authorities is another need, amongst others, outlined by UHM.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali backed ideas to improve workers' conditions said Mr Xuereb , especially the need for flexitime in sectors like tourism because of seasonality issues.
Dr Vassallo said he was disappointed that many of the UHM's ideas had not been implemented already. Having either of the big parties in government without a coalition with AD would not improve the situation, the chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika said.
On the other hand, Dr Sant said many of UHM’s proposals were already incorporated in Labour's Plan for a New Beginning.
Similarly, Dr Gonzi claimed many of the ideas the UHM was proposing were already being considered for the PN's programme.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Latest update:
Feb 8, 2008 - 6:25:00 PM CET
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