Labour can afford it
August started with an increase in the price of fuel, a 5c rise across the board for unleaded petrol, diesel and petrol super. Ironically the announcement of the upward change came on the same day that the National Statistics Office said that more people are at risk of poverty. The increase in fuel prices will not be good news for them.
There was no press conference to proclaim that unleaded petrol will now cost €1.36 per litre, that the price of diesel has gone up to €1.23 per litre, and that of super fuel has reached €1.51. Remember what happened in 2014, when Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and then Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi summoned the press for an urgent press conference with what promised to be “good news” – and all it turned out to be was a 2c reduction in the price of fuel.
But, no, this time the presence of journalists was not requested.
Maybe because it was difficult for the
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government to explain why, at a time when there is no oil crisis and at a time when the price of oil is less than $70 dollars per barrel, a decision was taken for the increase in the price of this commodity. Again, remember the fuss Labour, then in Opposition, used to make when the price of fuel increased – at a time when the price of oil was nearing €150 per barrel, more than double of what it is today.
Or, perhaps, the government just does not care to give an explanation, knowing that it is riding high in terms of popularity and it could afford a dip, if there will be one.
The publication of the conclusions of the Egrant inquiry has given the government, in particular the Prime Minister, a big boost. Joseph Muscat’s public tears have gone a long way to persuade the floating voters to believe in his innocence and would be ready, if an election be held today, to give his party the first preference. And the internal mess that these conclusions have created in the Nationalist Party continue to show that the government has a weak opposition to contend with.
And so, in the current circumstances, Labour can afford to cause a little upset by way of an increase in the price of fuel. It knows that any signs of discontent because petrol and diesel will cost more will not outweigh the increase in support it has garnered with the Egrant inquiry conclusions.
But, in spite of the insignificant political backlash that this measure will bring about, Labour should not under-estimate its effect on the less fortunate.
A 5c increase in the price of fuel might not affect the higher wage earners that much. It will not stop them from using their cars. But it will be a blow for the lower classes of our society, those who in spite of the economic boom are still struggling to make ends meet.