Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1379276
9 NEWS CONTACT Adriana Farrugia or Erika Arrigo on 21382741 for sponsorship opportunities SCAN THIS CODE USING A QR SCANNER APP TO WATCH THE LATEST EPISODE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE WEDNESDAY • 2 JUNE 2021 ANALYSIS ing money which should have never ended up in the gov- ernment's coffers in the first place. But the money would still be taken away from other priorities. Indeed, in 2010, then finance minister Tonio Fenech asked: "Will Labour tax everyone in order to give this refund to a few when they are not entitled to it?" And while record economic growth ensured that Labour felt no need to raise taxes to honour its commitments, it still had to stagger the refund over three budgets to avoid a negative impact on the country's finances. Grech renews the PN's populist appeal Another striking difference between Labour's commit- ment in 2009 and that of the PN now was the response of the public. While 18,000 registered for Labour's class action, the PN has not published any numbers. Although the crowd was sizeable at least by PN standards in more recent times, it looks like a far cry from Labour's. One reason is that even back in 2009, surveys were already showing Labour making electoral inroads, which made it the probable winner of the forthcoming general elec- tions. In short, while 12 years ago Labour was already seen as an alternative government with a strong chance of being elected to power, the PN is still a long way from being perceived as a government in waiting. But while it is highly unlikely for the PN to win an election on the basis of such a campaign, it may well help Grech renew the party's populist appeal. utilities campaign PN leader Bernard Grech discussing utility bills with people who turned up on Saturday at party headquarters to register their complaints on overcharging by ARMS