Poll figures show that changes to the party now needed more than ever – Delia

PN Leader Adrian Delia said yesterday morning that the latest survey results show that the changes he wants to make to the party are needed now more than ever.

He was referring to a Malta Today survey, which gave the PL a 94,000-vote majority, while also showing that PM Muscat stands 39 points clear of Delia.

Referring to the recent infighting within the party, stirred by his call for Simon Busuttil to suspend himself following the Egrant inquiry, which was later withdrawn, Delia said this was normal in a party that was going through change. He said the situation had been resolved, but this was just part of the process – not the beginning and not the end.

“Last year we kicked off a process of change, including in the party leadership, and it was natural that there would be hiccups and disagreements. This is the party’s renewal process.”

The survey numbers, Delia said, showed that the party was still losing and had evidently not changed enough.

“There will always be disagreements and opposition to change, but we will press ahead with the necessary changes.

“My duty is to give the party back to the people. Only then will people start believing us again, because we lost our credibility.”

Delia said one of the changes the party was going through was to stop using “politics of destruction and hate.” The PN now has the courage to admit when the government does something right, and gives constructive criticism.

The party, he said, spoke about subjects that affected people in their everyday lives.

He said the party wants to safeguard the environment but it would not come out against developers. The two can go hand in hand, he said. Issues that were of great concern included air pollution and waste disposal. Here he accused the government of just dumping waste at Maghtab instead of using it as a resource.

Delia said the government was only now speaking about a mass transport system – something the PN had been proposing for a while. A good transport system could eliminate pollution and traffic, he said.

Turning to the economy, Delia referred to the increase in the prices of bread and fuel. These, coupled with government theft on energy bills and a rising cost of living, was affecting many households.

He said recent statistics showed that some 70,000 people were at risk of poverty.

“These are people who cannot afford to buy healthy food, or the medicine they need. These are youths who cannot continue with their studies. How can the government boast of ‘l-Aqwa zmien’ (the best of times) when we are witnessing the worst poverty.”

Referring to another statistic about the decrease in retail trade in June, Delia said the government does not have a long-term plan. While certain sectors of the economy might be going into overdrive, this could have a negative effect on certain sectors of society.

The PN Leader also referred to the recent spate of crimes, claiming that the country had gone into a “black cloud of criminality that it cannot get out of.” Malta is no longer that “tranquil” island in the Mediterranean, he said.

Delia said the summer months should be a time for reflection. The PN should not only be a strong Opposition but also has to be in a position to offer an alternative government as soon as possible.

He also spoke about the recent downgrading from Standard and Poors, saying that the government could not ignore these stark warning signs. When such a damning report comes out, those responsible for the sector must resign, he said.