Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/589122
6 SIMON Busuttil has shown his best in denouncing the excesses of the Labour government. His jibe at former One TV journalists having 'one big party' as political appoint- ees may have resonated with the popular mood. But there is a snag. As he points fingers at one govern- ment member after the other, a re- peat of last year's Sheehan shooting incident that cost Manuel Mallia his job, he looks less of a statesman in this repeat of 2014's trick. Already Busuttil comes across as scholarly and legalistic. Does he risk appear- ing sanctimonious when pointing fingers at others given the PN's past record? Busuttil's problem is how far peo- ple will believe that he will act any differently if elected to power. The PN leader tells sceptics he is an ide- alist, a character trait that is met by even more scepticism at hearing that come from the leader of a party that once ruled the country for 25 years. Busuttil is capitalising on the growing distrust of Muscat's gov- ernment based on appointments and consultancies given to Labour party officials – including deputy leader Toni Abela – activists and even some of their relatives. Eve- rybody is for sale under Labour, it seems. Busuttil harps on the appoint- ments of former One TV journal- ists, the least dubious of political ap- pointments. Which minister would not appoint a politically loyal person for spokesperson? And herein lies the rub, for Busuttil came with no concrete and credible proposal on how to deal with these posts, which necessarily must go to persons of trust. Milking the transport blues Transport is another issue on which the PN is trying to capitalise on popular anger. MaltaToday surveys have shown that transport is topping the list of concerns of the Maltese and that Transport Minister Joe Mizzi is the least popular member of Muscat's cabinet. But on this point Busuttil made a colossal mistake of reminding people of the Arriva debacle, by ac- cusing this government of "having done everything to destroy Arriva". It's statements like these that expose one of Busuttil's major shortcom- ings, as he fails to distance him- self completely from Austin Gatt's legacy. It is true that in opposition Labour had done its utmost to undermine confidence in public transport. But present-day problems also have roots in the lack of vision of previ- ous governments which boasted on increased car ownership as a sign of prosperity, while dead-legging the bus reform as a simple act of re- duced government subsidies; it un- dermined Arriva from the start as it operated less buses than required to cater for people's real needs. We are yet to hear what Marthese Por- telli will be proposing. So this will be a major test on the PN's ability to come up with a plan on an issue where long-term solutions may be unpopular with some segments of the population. Indeed Busuttil finds it hard to disassociate himself from the past, but he brims with pride when refer- ring to past projects started under Lawrence Gonzi. One of Busuttil's best sound-bites in his budget speech was his chal- lenge to government to mention any one completed capital project by Labour, and those projects started under Lawrence Gonzi that had reached completion. "Where are the capital projects of this govern- ment? Renzo Piano? Fort St Elmo? Interconnector? Oncology centre? Coast road? Flood-relief project? There are all projects of the PN ad- ministration." And he's right. But Busuttil spent little time milking these successes. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2015 News Busuttil where's Simon Busuttil was composed, effective on the economy. Is the Opposition Busuttil harps on the appointments of former One TV journalists, the least dubious of political appointments. Which minister would not appoint a politically loyal person for spokesperson?