1 comment.‘Joseph Muscat as Gozo candidate would be Labour gimmick’
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The Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi speaking on Radio 101 during a visit to Gozo this morning commented about reports in some media that Labour Leader, Joseph Muscat may stand as a candidate for electoral district 13 – Gozo. He said that should this be confirmed as true, “then it would be yet another of the Labour gimmicks for this week.”
The Prime Minister said that PN in Government would put a tourism plan in place for Gozo, suck as incentives for investors and for the upgrade of tourist accommodation.
A new ferry service from Grand Harbour to Gozo would be started, Dr Gonzi said. “Should the tunnel project result in being feasible, then the Government would proceed with it.”
The Ministry for Gozo would be supplemented by a Gozo Regional Council. This Council would include the MPs elected in Gozo.
Dr Gonzi mentioned that further incentives for Gozitan SMEs would be given. These would include cuts in income tax for companies that opened local businesses, employing people. He also said that at least 10% of funds from the EU would be allocated to Gozo, as it is presently.
The Prime Minister said that Gozitans had been insulted in the past when Alfred Sant had demoted the Ministry for Gozo to a Secretariat.
Dr Gonzi followed the radio interview with a walk around Victoria meeting shopkeepers and talking to members of the press.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi together with Mrs Gonzi, visited several shops and commercial establishments in Victoria, the Prime Minister talked about a permanent link between the two islands. The Prime Minister also reiterated the current Government’s determination to create more jobs in Gozo for the Gozitans.
When commenting to reporters, Lawrence Gonzi stressed on the importance of continuos investment in Gozo, the strengthening of the Gozo Regional Council, the introduction of tax incentives for businesses in Gozo, and help for small enterprises to find a place to carry out their trade. These tailor made schemes will ensure Gozo is given all the tools to prosper.
The Prime Minister said that the island has always been at the heart of the PN, and the recent investments made have already started yielding positive results.
According to Gonzi everything the Labour party does or suggests is a gimmick. It shows just how afraid Gonzi is when all he can counter with is the word gimmick. Yet here we have Gonzi promising a new ferry service, a tunnel, tourist accommodation upgrades, a Gozo Regional Council, cuts in income tax, more jobs, more funds etc. What are these Dr Gonzi if not gimmicks? Given the number of years you have been in office now I’m surprised you didn’t do any of these things for the Gozitan people you care so much about sooner. But then we all know what your number one priority would really be if the people were stupid enough to vote you back in, re-instating your pay rise!