Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/176463
5 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2013 vision and direction' such mistakes are in fact doing the opposite of what was promised." Taking a dig at the Labour administration, Busuttil said that the government was "gorging" on dishing out favours and jobs. Despite promising meritocracy and transparency, the Labour government was acting fur- Former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi with his wife Kate tively and brushing off responsibility. "I do not want to be measured by the twisted measure of this government. We want to measure ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, competence and responsibility. This is what we have learnt." Busuttil pointed out that the party's responsibility was to expose the government's errors and failings. "Part of our responsibility as an opposition party is to uncover the government, which after six months is already slipping up." He went on to list a number of the government's shortcomings, including its decisions to part-privatise Enemalta, its failure to switch the Delimara power plant from heavy fuel oil to diesel and the controversial promotions within the Army. "There is no doubt about it: the 'Malta for all' slogan was deceitful. 'Malta for all' has become 'Malta for Labourites only'. But Mr Prime Minister, Malta does not only belong to Labour, it belongs to us too." However, Busuttil warned that the PN cannot rest on its laurels and expect to "regain the people's respect and trust just because the Labour government was stumbling from one gaffe to another. In order to regain the people's trust we must rely on our strengths and not on each other's weaknesses." The PN would only regain the people's trust if it appears honest, united and offers "better ideas than the government," he said. The opposition also needs to offer a "clear vision and direction" and show that it is better than Labour at managing the country's economy, Busuttil said, without delving into what the PN's vision consists of. Instead, Busuttil restricted himself to claiming that the PN would regain the electorate's respect by showing that it is capable of attracting invest- PN leader Simon Busuttil ment, creating jobs, fostering wealth and social justice. "We need to win the people's trust by showing them that we deserve it. We will regain their trust by showing that we do things the right way... because righteousness always wins (issewwa jirbah zgur). "I am in politics because I believe that politics is a tool to create pros- perity and not hunger for power at all costs. I am not in politics to promise everything to everyone, but to do my utmost for the common good." He added that he was not in politics to be a salesman "but to offer a vision". Moreover, Busuttil said that he wished this generation to be remembered for its selflessness and "intergenerational justice" to ensure that future generations enjoy a better country. The PN faithful were also addressed by the new secretary-general Chris Said, who expressed his satisfaction at the party's efforts to reorganise itself in recent months and conveyed a message of hope. "We can look ahead with optimism to continue strengthening the party for the sake of the party itself and the above all for the country," an energetic Said told the PN supporters who gathered at the Granaries in Floriana.