Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/841483
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 25 JUNE 2017 17 News by the respective society. My personal values have given priority to honesty, credibility, backed by competence and expe- rience. While the latter depends on the variety of roles one has throughout one's lifetime, the other values depend on the com- bination of life educators and sheer personal will power. My track record at a number of lead- ing institutions which include the University, the Central Bank, the Electoral Commission, the MFSA, the MCESD, the EP, and the Cabi- net itself is there for all to see and scrutinise. I believe that these qualities are needed for good government, even though politics is cynically seen as contributing to their repudiation. My political experience has taught me however that the electorate hold these overall qualities in high esteem. As a deputy leader I would like to think that my presence would strengthen the leadership qualities of both the party and the govern- ment. The most recent deputy leadership race exposed disgruntled Labour supporters who felt the party had abandoned them after just three years in power. Has this sentiment changed? There is more understanding today of how government works and the balance of justice and fair play which the government has to abide by. What I think is re- quired is more ongoing contact of MPs especially Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries with the electorate including party del- egates. This has been addressed by the Prime Minister who lays great store in the bi-annually held 'Gvern li Jisma' series and in my case complemented by my public Pre-Budget meetings. Those who have been MEPs however realise that these con- tacts need to be institutionalised in the Parliamentary calendar it- self where, say a week every six weeks, is established as so-called 'green week' where MPs are given time-off by the parliament to meet in public meetings with the elec- torate. In the EP's case resources are given for the purpose because halls have to be rented and services paid for. What should the party and the government focus on during this legislature? Bringing up the country's infra- structure to the same high level the economy has grown up to. Am re- ferring to better quality buildings, roads and mass transportation, and a government bureaucracy which is efficient and prepared for the future challenges the country will be facing. 'Corruption' was a central theme of the general election. Even though the PL won the election, it doesn't mean that people are not concerned. How would you, in your new position, address this issue? People want to regain their trust in our national regulatory authori- ties and institutions. These have been buffeted beyond one's im- agination and in the most violent of manners. The damage suffered will take some years to repair. Un- fortunately they were not prepared for this political confrontation and failed to keep communication channels open with the people. It is a moot point whether the media would have transmitted their mes- sage clearly and objectively given the massive political frenzy sur- rounding the case. Where do you see the Labour Party after Joseph Muscat? The Labour Party has been an opposition party for many years leaving itself to be painted in the most negative of colours. Today it turned itself into a big progres- sive and inclusive movement, with all sectors of Maltese and Gozitan society represented. Attending one of the pre-election PL mass meeting would give any independ- ent observer what I mean by a real cross-section of society. Its struc- tures, statute and organs have been rebuilt, are continuously reformed and one can say reached self-sus- tainability with a life of their own. The new recruits on Cabinet and MPs in general guarantee a bright future. Together with the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and as Deputy Prime Minister I would like to see these future precious years to observe these new future leaders and provide them with a level playing field. I would like to be their facilitator and not their competitor. Chris Fearne: Delivering loyalty Why are you contesting the deputy leadership post and how do you see yourself complementing Joseph Muscat's vision for the country and the party? I have been involved in the La- bour Party since I was a teenager. I have always been driven by the cause of social justice, about giving a real and fair opportunity to eve- ryone to improve his own lot, to support people at the vulnerable moments of their life, and to see full emancipation of all segments of society. Never has a government in the history of Malta delivered so much, in such little time, on all of these fronts. Joseph Muscat has a vision based on these beliefs, and both as Minster for Health, and as DPM, if elected, he has me 100% behind him, in making sure that this is vision achieved. What do you stand for and, if elected, what will you bring to the table? I have always believed that poli- tics is about improving the qual- ity of life of your and subsequent generations. This can only be achieved by a sound vision, com- petence, hard work, integrity and loyalty to the party and the party leader. I believe that I can deliver on all of these. My long experience in politics, and my performance as Health Minister over the last years, has resulted in a good elec- toral result for me, which means that people endorse what I stand for and how I work. With this endorsement I feel comfortable in offering my servic- es for the post in question. The most recent deputy leadership race exposed disgruntled Labour supporters who felt the party had abandoned them after just three years in power. Has this sentiment changed? I think the last election has shown that not only core Labour supporters, but also a lot of oth- ers who traditionally did not come from Labour backgrounds, have decided to make this vision their own, and supported it with their vote. People from my districts know that I am one who believes in keeping contact with people on a weekly basis. This is key in poli- tics. One needs to keep in constant touch with the reality of how peo- ple are living their lives, listen to their problems and understand their issues. When one does not do that one becomes detached from reality, with the consequenc- es that we have seen happen to the opposition in Malta, as well as to several governments overseas. What should the party and the government focus on during this legislature? The vision is very clear: we want a better Malta in every way and be the best in class. We have already managed to do that in some sec- tors, and our focus remains to achieve this. We will be focusing on making Malta a centre of excel- lence in health, education, fintec and logistics. We will continue to drive our liberal agenda of true equality for all, and above all we will continue to focus on ensuring that the people who need it most, will find the necessary support to bounce back and will have the op- portunity of moving up in their quality of life. 'Corruption' was a central theme of the general election. Even though the PL won the election, it doesn't mean that people are not concerned. How would you, in your new position, address this issue? No one is in favour of corrup- tion, and in this legislature, the Prime Minister has promised a number of new measures, which together with the ones taken in the last four years, will make the fight against any form of corruption easier. I stand four square behind the Prime Minister in this, and he will find my full support in ensur- ing that these measures are intro- duced. Where do you see the Labour Party after Joseph Muscat? Let me say, that I truly believe that Joseph Muscat has still a lot to offer to local politics, and I will be one who will encourage him to stay on as Leader of the Labour Party, not only till the next elec- tion, but also to the one following that. If, and when he decides to step down, I am sure that like any great leader, he will leave a legacy of strategy, organisation and human capital within the party to ensure that his vision will continue to be implemented in a successful way. COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: 28 th June 2017 12/17 HSBC Bank Malta plc. C 3177 vs Pierre Galea et. ID 268567M Jesmond Mizzi Broker 1/2 Triq il- Kbira San Guzepp Hamrun 8000 shares of the society GO plc gja' Maltacom plc. 5 th July 2017 9.30am 14/17 North Services Ltd. C18689 vs Mahon Barry ID 156109A Garage no 14/3, Triq Il-Belt Valletta, Ħal Qormi Vehicle of the make Honda FIT light blue in colour with the registration number FCH 436. 5 th July 2017 10.30am 20/13 Festa Limited C 799 vs Aquilina Marc Pro Et Euroconcrete Limited, Wied Inċita, Triq Ir-Rabat, Attard Truck AEC with the registration number IBC 258, Generator Swan yellow in colour and Forklifter Boss yellow in colour Model RH 30D/5A-2. 12 th July 2017 9.30am 15/17 J. Zammit Limited C37945 vs Giovanni Palmeri ID73453A 55, J&J Boatyard, Ta' Għadmija, L- Imqabba Vehicle of the make Ford Focus metallic blue in colour with the registration number DEB 105 24 th July 2017 19/17 HSBC Bank Malta plc. C 3177 vs Mary Micallef ID188442M HSBC Bank Malta 80, Triq Il-Mitħna, Ħal Qormi 880.666 unit fil-World Selection 2 Class ACH EUR. 57.6616 unit fl- International Bond Fund EUR (Accumulator). 875.106 unit fil-World Selection 1 Class ACH EUR. 39.3337 unit fil-HSBC Malta Bond Fund Accumulator. 26 th July 2017 9.30am 7/17 J. Zammit Limited C 37945 vs Vincent Carl Sammut ID 300298M 55, J&J Boatyard, Ta' Għadmija, L- Imqabba Vehicle of the make Hyundai metallic grey in colour with the registration number BCB 434. Further details can be obtained from the website: http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/courtservices/JudicialSales/search.aspx The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card Rudolph Marmara' For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals