Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/680790
5 – smacks of a subsidy for catego- ries who can well afford to pay for school transport over others. Moreover there is no evidence that it is the cost of transport which makes parents use cars to take children to school. On the other hand, the party's commit- ment to lower fuel prices may en- courage more people to use cars. The party's most courageous proposal, albeit the one which attracted most ridicule from the Labour media; a voluntary opt-in scheme whereby owners may choose to use their car only on selected days and particular times against a reduction in li- cense fee or road tax. Busuttil's personal narrative Wearing a blue tie which un- derlined an unwillingness to emulate Muscat's attempts to lure PN voters through colour coding (but just imagine the re- action of Nationalists to Busut- til wearing a red tie), Busuttil tried to appeal to Labour voters by giving a social twist to the corruption argument, linking it to cancer victims and those who live in social housing. Definitively less uptight than usual Busuttil moved "to and fro" on stage in a relaxed way – in clear imitation of Obama and Steve Jobs – as he already did in October 2014 while addressing the PN's Konvenzjoni Ideat con- ference. One may say that Busuttil has gone a long way since then, with opinion polls showing a nar- rowed gap between the two par- ties and the trust gap between the two leaders down from 15% to 7%. He even managed to express emotions, especially when re- ferring to cancer victims who have to beg for assistance even if he still struggled with his pitch when expressing indigna- tion on Panama. But Busuttil may well have delivered one of his most cohesive and least ro- botic speeches so far. Surely he was more at ease in the sanitised environment of a party hall than he was when addressing the crowds in Valletta. He also threw a light on his own personal quandary on find- ing himself leading a party, which he found wrecked "at the bottom of the sea". His unease with the local political system which he described a "dark room where confrontation and insults" are the order of the day may well have been one of the most honest ref lections made by the opposition leader. But this does raise questions on whether Busuttil, as Alfred Sant before him, can take the heat of a po- litical system that he innately appears to dislike. Moreover, his own style of leadership has been a confrontational one, to the extent that he boasts that in parliament the opposition is so effective that one cannot believe it is nine seats down. He also emphasised public opinion surveys showing the two parties in a tie, but failed to mention the trust gap between him and the Prime Minister – a gap which suggests that Labour starts the race with an advan- tage, as voters who trust Mus- cat more than Busuttil are more likely to vote for Labour in a contest which will probably be fought on presidential lines. He also underlines his mission – of bringing light and fresh air to this stuff y room. He tried to underline his role as a mod- est politician with new preten- tions of being "a hero" but who is driven by a sense of duty. This contrasts with Muscat's macho approach to politics, which be- comes a liability when tough talk contrasts with his inability to take action on Panamagate. Defending the Cedoli Busuttil found himself also defending his own party's con- troversial loan scheme, which he unconvincingly tried to project as an example of honest politics rather than a desperate attempt to revive the finances of his par- ty by skirting around the new party financing law. Busuttil was also full of praise to Anne Fenech, whom he described as the brain behind the scheme. He emphasised that unlike backroom donations – like those which he claims took place in Labour's fourth f loor – the system is one which leaves the party un-obliged to its lenders, whom it will pay back in full. But he failed to address the major criticisms levelled against the scheme, namely that the party will be operating as a bank and that the names of lenders will not be published, something which may well fuel speculation of 'favouritism' towards lend- ers when the party is elected back in office. For while a loan is not a donation as it has to be paid back in full with interest, it will be hard for a PN elected in government to dispel the per- ception that it owes something to its creditors whose names re- main unknown. Busuttil struck a chord when lashing back at Labour's de- f lective tactics, which have characterised its response to Panamagate. "Every time the government has its back against the wall, it attacks the oppo- sition." He also warned that Muscat wants to throw mud on everyone, so that the people will end up thinking "all politicians are the same". Yet while Muscat has contributed his fair share to this mentality through his de- f lective tactics, cynicism is also rooted in the PN's record in of- fice. Surely it is Busuttil who has to prove himself, and the only way he can do this is by getting elected in office and acting dif- ferently from past administra- tion. He says his main mission is to clean up Maltese politics, not to get elected to power. But he also says that because of his commitment to clean up politics he will win the next election. Yet to get there he needs to con- vince the cynics. Busuttil says that his party sends him to con- duct "the most difficult house visits" where he regularly meets switchers and Labour voters. His speech shows that the PN leader is on a learning curve. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 18 MAY 2016 News Expression of Interest for Festival Director Fondazzjoni Kreattività The Valletta 2018 Foundation is responsible for Valletta's journey towards the title of the European Capital of Culture in Malta in 2018. Through creativ- ity and artistic expression, the title will enable cultural, social and economic changes that will have a lasting legacy in Valletta and around Malta. This initiative is a collaboration be- tween Fondazzjoni Kreattività and- Valletta 2018 Foundation. To apply, please supply a CV and a covering letter explaining how your skills and experience match the re- quirements of this role. Applications are to be sent to Chair- man, Fondazzjoni Kreattività on applications@kreattivita.org Closing date for applications is Fri- day 27th May 2016 at 11.00am. More information about the call can be found on our website www.kreattivita.org Fondazzjoni Kreattività is seeking an experienced, creative and innovative professional to be the Festival Direc- tor of VIVA - Valletta International Visual Arts Festival! The chosen candidate will be re- sponsible to programme and cham- pion the delivery of the Festival for the coming three years, ensuring a high level of artistic excellence while keeping within set budget forecasts. In the process the Festival Director will also be entrusted to draft a long- term strategic plan in line with the Fondazzjoni Kreattività and Valletta 2018 set vision and mission state- ment. Knowledge/Skills/Qualifications: • Outstanding experience in festival programming and curatorship with a portfolio demonstrating artistic ex- cellence in the contemporary visual arts sector; • Experience in project manage- ment and clear understanding on strategic thinking within an organi- sation; • Thorough knowledge and under- standing in fundraising and financial planning and management; • Extensive knowledge of Malta's cultural and creative sectors, with special focus on the national con- temporary visual arts sector. VIVA - Valletta International Visual Arts Festival Does good governance pay? "Busuttil may well have delivered one of his most cohesive and least robotic speeches so far" Most used words and phrases • Honest policies (polika onesta) 19 • My country (pajjizi/pajjizna) 14 • A people's party (partit tan-nies) 13 • Corruption 12 • A different party 11 • Truth 9 • A different government 7 • Panama 6 • Environment 5 • Scandal 4 • Quality of life 3 • Cedoli scheme 3 Most mentioned • Prime Minister Joseph Muscat 6 • Anne Fenech 5 • Transport Minister Joe Mizzi 4 • Konrad Mizzi 3 • Keith Schembri 2 • Beppe Fenech Adami 4 • Mario de Marco 4 • Censu Galea 2 • Marthese Portelli 2 • Jason Azzopardi 1 • Ryan Callus 1 • Chris Said 1 • Herbert Messina Ferrante 1 Not mentioned • Civil liberties • Foreign policy • Education • Health • Self Employed