Austin Gatt’s unpopularity dragging GonziPN lower – what the Sunday Times failed to ask

28 Oct Austin Gatt’s unpopularity dragging GonziPN lower – what the Sunday Times failed to ask

Posted at 10:27h in Blog by

Il-Hadd it-Tajjeb

It is Austin Gatt’s unpopularity which has been dragging the PN lower at the polls.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/data/Rate-the-Minister-survey-Absolute-majority-judge-Mario-de-Marco-positively-20121028

Now that the PN has taken a strong stand vis-a-vis dissenting backbenchers, nothing has changed in the surveys. If anything things got worse, even though the PN electoral machine is at ful speed.

According to Maltatoday survey, Austin Gatt is not only the most unpopular Minister, but he also forms part of a PN government which is trailing Labour by a grand 12%. At the time of BWSC and Arriva, Austin Gatt had already been the most unpopular for some years.

Two weeks ago I had pointed out that the Sunday Times carried a very biased survey, which did not ask respondents any question about Austin Gatt.

Freedom of expression is sacred, but its abuse is bad, especially when it has the aim to destroy people, by twisting facts or maliciously biased news.

http://www.francodebono.com/2012/10/14/the-times-survey-do-you-approve-of-what-austin-gatt-is-doing/

The Deputy Leadership opportunity is  a golden one for the PN as long as it is conducted in a democratic and balanced way and it is accompanied by the departure of Austin Gatt. As long as he is around, Austin Gatt will continue to overshadow any positive steps by the PN.

88 Comments
  • Demm Hamrani
    Posted at 15:46h, 29 October

    Nixtieq nkun naf xi jridd jghid bijha Gonzi meta qal li ma jridx jerhi poter f’idejn Muscat ma namlux modd li- jekk jerbah l-ellezjoni PL jerga jmur kontra rieda tal- poplu bhall ma ghamel f’ta divorzju ghax ghalija din hija serja ghax ahna nghixu go pajjiz democratiku jew issa Malta saret propjeta tal-PN vera nkewetta

  • Challie
    Posted at 08:06h, 29 October

    Franco,

    The PN’s support is dwindling not only because of Austin Pipi Gatt but because the whole party system is falling apart. Remember one thing, if the PN is dragging its feet to prolong election date, it must have a major trick up their sleeve and we will all be surprised when it comes out. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had to be re-elected.

    • Francist
      Posted at 08:57h, 29 October

      I agree. We must never underestimate the PN.

    • ROBERT NORMAN
      Posted at 14:52h, 29 October

      Or they know their time is up and are enjoying it until it lasts.

  • People s Party PDN
    Posted at 23:18h, 28 October

    http://www.facebook.com/FrancodebonoqafIlPdn#!/FrancodebonoqafIlPdn

  • VIVA MALTA
    Posted at 21:04h, 28 October

    Nistaqsi allura jekk tonio borg ma jitghazilx ?jekk john dalli ma jinstabx hati?Xse jigri?

    • Red Ruby
      Posted at 21:17h, 28 October

      Nibqghu nistennew hux !
      Ghalhekk nispera li Dr Gonzi huwa responsabbli, ghax pajjiz jistenna se jkollna!
      Ara l-budget iholl u jorbot sostanzjalment l-andament tal-pajjiz u se jkollna nibqghu on hold sakemm jaghzlu Kummissarju Ewropew!
      Nixtieq naf jien x’jigri mill-pensjonijiet, mis-sahha, childrens allowance, zidiet tal-Cola etc jekk ha ntawlu daqshekk biex inkunu nafu kif ha jitqassmu l-fondi ghall-2013.
      Dr Debono ilu jwissieh, allura Dr Gonzi jibqa’ jinjora?? Budget fit-2013 se jkollna?

      • Andy
        Posted at 21:57h, 28 October

        Red Ruby you see how the budget is going to be presented in December. You did not believe me last time. The vote will be taken in January and we can have an election as late as April. In my opinion this will be a great win for the PM. Managing to cruise your ship in such a bad storm for the whole five years makes him the best PM ever. It’s easy to be a sailor of the calm seas but it shows you’re a great sailor when you bring your ship to port after cruising in rough seas.

        • Red Ruby
          Posted at 22:33h, 28 October

          But in these rough seas, will pensions be paid normally , childrens allowance , Cola etc if budget vote won’t pass?
          PM knows Dr Debono’s views very clear. So the ball is in PM’s feet!
          Can a country stay without budget till “as late as April” as you say?
          I hope our PM puts the country first, than to be the “best PM ever”

        • Jolly Joker
          Posted at 22:36h, 28 October

          Pirates do that too – as did Dom Mintoff in 1981 and a bunch of dictators who hand on , no matter what.

          • Jolly Joker
            Posted at 22:44h, 28 October

            I was replying above, to Andy’s comment about a great sailor who sails his ship to port in spite of rough seas and likening it to GonziPN clinging on for the full five years, no matter what/
            That is exactly what pirates, Dom Mintoff and dictators do .

    • ninnu
      Posted at 23:39h, 28 October

      Li kieku u li kien QATT ma l-iltaqghu flimkien.

  • tony
    Posted at 19:48h, 28 October

    hi franco jien il-bierah kont hal qormi niextieq nghid prosett lis-sindku ghax vera sexy. jekk ija brava daqs kemm ija sabiha hal-qormi igibu genna ta l-art. gonzi ibelah l’alla li halqu ma kull gurnata li taddi. issa ha itawwal il-gurnata ghall-budget. kont nistenija din il-mossa halli issa jersaq lejn il-milied. il-poplu vera spicca ma jiswa xejn. hlief ghall gurnata wahda biex jivotta. ilum fuq il-pbs rajt il-edwin vasallo kont insejtu.

  • Alouette III
    Posted at 16:05h, 28 October

    Il-Bagit ghas 26 ta Novembru !

    • Andy
      Posted at 21:59h, 28 October

      Budget will be held in mid December. A by election will need to be held first and this takes around 3 weeks.

  • Osservatur 2
    Posted at 15:45h, 28 October

    Se jipposponi il budget ghal meta jinhatar Tonio Borg ??????? imma insomma, jahasra ma nafx kif dan il PM ma jisthix, se jibqa imsemmi fl-istorja politka ta pajjizna bhalha l-iktar PM li qatt graw buzzullotti taht it tmexxija tieghu ( sippost tieghu imma ). Nisthajlu bhall dak il magician, li biex jimpressjonak jaqbad il kappell minn fuq rasu, biex johrog il fenek minnu, u minflok ittella il fenek ittella favalor, issa li jkun jonqsu u li jilbsu, u leeeeeeeeeeee

  • Marygrace
    Posted at 15:44h, 28 October

    Dr Debono, Malta needs you. Malta needs your enthusiasm, energy, relentlessness, conviction, passion, fervor. Malta needs another party where the interest of the people comes first. Malta needs a new way of doing politics. Who could be best suited to guide the new generations through this and more? I am sure that there are lots of people out there who are so fed up of tribal politics and would love to see a political party which would bring a breath of fresh air amongst us. I have met lots of people who tell me that they would surely support Dr. Franco Debono if he decides to form the People s Party. I am willing to share my number to hear your views on the matter. If you are of the same opinion, that Dr Franco Debono should form a People s Party, please feel free to SMS. Your opinion matters…..
    Mobile number: 99928571

    • Chinese Jar
      Posted at 02:21h, 29 October

      Oh dear God, Marygrace is still at it.

      • Marygrace
        Posted at 13:17h, 29 October

        Chinese Jar,do you ever have anything positive to say?

  • Il-Kurunell gaddaffi
    Posted at 15:11h, 28 October

    Skont l-esperti ghad baqalkom go dan il kawos ghall 46 days u ikun it 12-12-2012
    u l-ahhar tad -dinja u tigu kollha hdejja haha ahjar milli tigu iddominati mil al qaida u ikisrulkom il knejjes kollha u tilbsu il burka ghax tajtuhom kemm flahtu armi biex iduru kontra taghkhomm stess lolllllll dik demokrazija hee

  • Nuffata
    Posted at 15:07h, 28 October

    Smajtu lil GonziPN illum, dak tal-oligarkija? Ha jressaq il-budget meta jinhatar Tonio. X’ghandu x’jaqsam il-budget mal-EU? Dawn mhux affarijet interni? Mhux qed ihallat il-hass mal-gass Dejjem mohhu biex jipposoponi ‘in permanenza’ ghax il-polls huma kontrih. Imma dan x’gvern hu? X’interess ghandu? Tal-partit jew tal-pajjiz? Wisq probabli biex ikollu izjjed zmein ha jaddem il-power of incumbency. Missu l-PL, meta qed jara dawn l-oxxenitajiet kollha, allura ghandu jiehu r-ridni f’idejh u jressaq vot ta’ sfiducja fil-gvern. Jorbotha ma’ kundizzjoni li jekk Gonzi ma jigiex b’data fissa meta ha jsir il-budget allura ha jkollu jresseq vot ta’ sfiduja fil-gvern (Ghax GonziPN il-hin kollu jbiddel l-goalposs kif jaqbillu). U DAN kollu minhabba l-interss tal-pajjiz. (Kif ghandu jkun).

    Fil-kaz trid tkun INT u INT biss!

    Ghidlu daqshekk loghob bil-bzallu ghax ghejjet lil Malta kollha li tant inhobbu.

    • carmel
      Posted at 17:56h, 29 October

      prosit.kulhad ghandu jahsiba bhalek u sadanitant il-President?

  • vox popolo
    Posted at 15:04h, 28 October

    Veritier,jista jkun fatt dak li qed tghid int, ghalkemm ma naqbelx mieghek
    80%.
    Nistaqsik; Tahseb li kieku dak li qed jigri fil-parlament Malti
    jigri f’pajjez iehor, jghidulu domakratiku?
    Nahseb li segwi x’qed jigri fil-parlament Malti, dak ghalik huwa
    domakratiku?
    Mela ghaliex il-Gvern qed itawwal zmienu fis-setgha, din ghalik
    itfisser li l-poplu tah din is-setgha fl-2008?
    Parlament li ma juhux voti, hemm bzonn tkun gharef bhal
    Salamun, sabiex tifhem l-‘imma’
    Anki l-fatt li bhala voti li gab l’PN fl-2008, il-lum fl-2012 dawn naqsu
    drastikament meta Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando , talab li jkun independenti
    Anki min jghid li dawk li taw il-vot lil JFO huma voti tal-PN.
    Falza min jghid li meta fl’elezzjoni tivvota ghall-individwu huma
    bil-fors voti tal-partit.
    Kollu ghall xejn l-argumenti tieghi, dan ghaliex il-lum ghandek
    partit fis-setgha li l-kelma demokrazzija jinterpretawha skond il
    mument.Anki l-istess partitarji Nazzjonalisti qed iwarrbu mill-
    partit, ghaliex huma ukoll qed ihossu tradiment dak li qed jigri
    f’pajjizhom.
    Kemm kien fl-loku l-MEP Joseph Cuschieri meta fil-Kunsill ta’
    l-Ewropa tkellem fuq is-sitwazzjoni li qed tigri fil-parlament Malti
    fejn talab sabiex il-Kunsill ta’EU jintervini.

  • john
    Posted at 14:44h, 28 October

    Illum GonziPN hareg b’wahda ahjar. Li tikkritika lil gvern dwar il-Power Station imur kontra l-interess nazzjonali. Kemm Gonzi u shabu marru kontra l-interess nazzjonali huma. Kuntratt ipprezentat f’bicciet u mhux kollu, li webbes rasu li jibqa ghaddej bil-kuntratt allavolja l-Awditur Generali ikkritikah, Baqghu izommu iebes li juzaw il-Heavy Fuel Oil u l-ahhar wahda il-mod kif l-iskart generat ser jaghddi madwar is-South ta’Malta biex jintrema minn qalb il-bini u toroq taghna. Dan hu l-interess nazzjonali !!!!!!!!!

    • Ganni Borg
      Posted at 15:03h, 28 October

      L-isbah wahda li qal li ser jistenna lill Tonio Borg isir kummissarju u jinhatar wiehed floku bies iressaq il-budget. Mela ghandna sa Dicembru ghal budget.

      Dan jitressaq u Dr.Franco Debono jivota kontra u ma jghaddiex u jkollna Milied veru sabih grazzi ghal Prim Ministru

      • J.J.
        Posted at 08:55h, 29 October

        Grazzi ghal Franco Debono trid tghid!

  • Cynical intelligence
    Posted at 13:32h, 28 October

    The mathematics of the survey against Dr. Debono (and many of the surveys, for that matter) do not figure. A sample of 2000 people on a very highly opinionated population of 400,000 cannot statistically conclude nothing. I have seen it on other examples of surveys done locally do not hold a statistic of the statistic. Half of the surveys done on environmental, social etc. issues on the island can be extremely misleading. If you notice well, none of the newspaper surveys’ articles mention the size of the sample. Is it because………

    • Veritier
      Posted at 14:02h, 28 October

      What surveys are you referring to?

      Every survey I came across, both in ToM and MT, declare their methodology, which includes sample size.

      What statistical knowledge do you possess to state that “a sample of 2000 people on a very highly opinionated population of 400,000 cannot statistically conclude nothing”. I’ll overlook the double-negative there, and assume that you mean “cannot statistically conclude anything”.

      Statistical theory states that the margin of error of a statistic based on a sample size of 500 is +/-4.4%, as long as the sample is random and well distributed among the population being sampled.

      The actual size of the population has no bearing on the margin of error. If the sample size starts approaching 5% of the population, then the margin of error starts decreasing.

      Surveys carried out world-wide are based on sample sizes of 1000 or 1500; this from population sizes of hundreds of millions.

      Are you saying that statisticians world-wide are wrong?

      • BETTER FUTURE
        Posted at 17:42h, 28 October

        But the political decisions taken by tainted, gatekeeping editors and forced on statisticians shows them up via the questions asked (or not asked). Franco pinpointed this imbalance very well.

        • Veritier
          Posted at 19:34h, 28 October

          No doubt.

          In any case, that does not in any way address what Cynical Intelligence is saying.

          • Chinese Jar
            Posted at 02:26h, 29 October

            “Franco pinpointed this imbalance very well”. He did nothing of the sort.

            He protested because the questions he wanted were not asked. That’s different.

          • Veritier
            Posted at 16:29h, 29 October

            Tell that to Better Future, Chinese Jar.

            I already argued your same point elsewhere, and my “no doubt” referred to Better Future’s first sentence, intentionally disregarding the last one as there was no point embarking on that argument again.

          • BETTER FUTURE
            Posted at 19:36h, 29 October

            1) Veritier, I was answering you, not CI.
            2) Ciniz, Franco’s assertion about the ambiguity and/or inclusion of meaningful questions is the point. Whether he, you or I wanted different questions has nothing to do with editorial gatekeeping.

      • ninnu
        Posted at 00:03h, 29 October

        Are you saying that statisticians world-wide are wrong? NO,but Maltese are WRONG.

      • Cynical intelligence
        Posted at 13:54h, 29 October

        Mr. Veritier….you know better……so gives a p statistic of your statistic. You can always join on the next statistic over a few million people and show us how much of a smart carrot you can be, as you always are on this blog.
        On another note, the sample size is many times excluded from some of the articles (which is what most people read) i.e. the articles are not complete. Would you think that it can be put down to bad journalism or is it just a misleading exclusion? Just a reminder…there are two statistics on the island, one for europe and another for local consumption (since there is an unwritten local standard).

        • Cynical intelligence
          Posted at 14:25h, 29 October

          PS. for the survey to be worth something it should be more like 9000 over an average voting population of 200000 with a confidence level of 99% and an interval of between 1 and 2. Secondly it ought to be combined between on-line and not. Thirdly not made by the times, where it automatically excludes a significant sample of the population!!!

          • Veritier
            Posted at 15:51h, 29 October

            99%? And for what? For your academic pleasure? Newspaper surveys are not intended for that. If you want that accuracy, you can commission such surveys yourself.

            Combined between on-line and not? What are you on about?

            And how exactly do you arrive at the conclusion that The Times excludes a significant sample of the population?

            If you’re referring to on-line one-question polls, why single out those of The Times? How are MT’s or any other any better?

            Again, if you’re referring to on-line one-question polls, they’re statistically worthless, and you’re being intentionally very misleading to the non-discerning reader by throwing everything in one basket.

        • Veritier
          Posted at 16:13h, 29 October

          Cynical intelligence, political opinion polls are for consumption by the general public and stating significance levels have absolutely no value whatsoever to the intended audience.

          Not publishing technical data does not automatically make them not credible. They fulfil a specific purpose, and that purpose is certainly not to satisfy the technically savvy.

          It is neither bad journalism, nor misleading exclusions. What is misleading is your damning of these studies on the basis that the publishers do not include technical data which can only be understood by technical people. To the general public, that would be just unwanted noise and pollution and would add absolutely no value to them.

          Regarding the “some articles” that you refer to, these articles are usually a summary which includes the salient points of the complete publication of the survey results which do include basic statistical details including methodology elsewhere on the same paper or another issue or sometimes even another paper. You are being very disingenuous.

          The smart carrot, dear Cynical Intelligence, is that who makes assumptions about the other person.

          • Cynical intelligence
            Posted at 19:05h, 29 October

            The smart carrot happens to keep you writing!!

          • Veritier
            Posted at 19:46h, 29 October

            If that’s the way you measure your intelligence, then it’s no wonder that you think you’re a smart carrot.

          • Cynical intelligence
            Posted at 20:01h, 29 October

            Like your interaction and reaction! I don’t think I need to say more. Although we might not agree on a few things and agree on quite a lot, I still cannot see a solution to the immediate situation in Malta. Would you rather have a half baked, badly kneaded Labour party? It is too late in the day I am afraid. Things are very badly baked at present with a half knowing government, what would you make of the future?

          • Veritier
            Posted at 21:05h, 29 October

            Likewise, I assure you.

            There’s never an “immediate” solution, I think.

            This is what people pushing Dr Debono to destroy his own power base to achieve an impossible “immediate” solution fail to see.

            We definitely need more people like Dr Debono who are able to spot what’s holding us back, either through unadulterated ambition or through genuine and honest interest, and not afraid to speak up.

            But by going about it the wrong way, any chances of changes for the better seem to get smaller over the horizon rather than larger.

            Still, some seem to think that any change (in whichever direction) is better than no change at all. That remains to be seen. If I had more than 1/290,799th of a say in it, I’d leave experimentation totally out of the kitchen and try to concoct something more predictably palatable.

            About what appears to me as the obvious immediate future, I can only say that I hope I’m dead wrong.

          • Cynical intelligence
            Posted at 21:34h, 29 October

            I could not agree more. But I ask myself who brought us here!!! I do not think that it ever crossed Dr. Debono’s mind to actually create another party, although nuances of it seem to have troubled his thought at seeing everything going the wrong way for his party. Dr. Debono might seem brash but not that stupid. Some time back parliamentarians had more honesty in their dealings. But what is really troublesome is hearing ministerial assistants blatantly lying to their bosses, which bosses think they are being told the truth. This seems to happen to both sides of the parliament locally. If Gonzi was quoted saying he has no great choice in ministerial material, Joseph Muscat has the same problem. The world- in Malta’s case when it joined Europe- has far more technicalities to juggle with in its day to day running than a standard lawyer can handle. Does anyone think that Malta’s parliament has way too many lawyers for its own good??

          • Veritier
            Posted at 21:45h, 29 October

            I don’t think I’ve seen a more truthful analysis of the current situation on this blog, or anywhere else for that matter.

            And it’s a most resounding yes to your last question. That’s not to say that we don’t need any, eh, Dr Debono.

    • ninnu
      Posted at 23:54h, 28 October

      Surveys results = wishful thinking.

    • Chinese Jar
      Posted at 02:24h, 29 October

      You are absolutely wrong, Cynical Intelligence. All surveys commissioned by newspapers state the sample size and period. And a sample size of 2,000 is ridiculous. You can work adequately with 500.

      You really haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.

      • Jolly Joker
        Posted at 14:02h, 29 October

        KEMM TIFHEM FIL-PR. Is it a full time job or a part time job aimed to help make ends meet to pay the energy bills?

      • Cynical intelligence
        Posted at 20:15h, 29 October

        Chinese Jar you are absolutely right. 500 would be a good sample size for what many local news papers do. The argument is not the sample size neither the survey, its the way the articles are written about the surveys and one can also read between the lines about who wrote the article. It is not performed propaganda and neither is it intended propaganda but unwitting suggestive propaganda. (propaganda not relating to political propaganda). Some of the large projects on the island are passed/ permitted under your nose without you realizing/survey/propaganda.

        • Veritier
          Posted at 21:19h, 29 October

          I’m sure people like you would rather look at the data themselves and have their own take. I can’t deny I’d be interested too.

          But if you expect that of newspapers, you’d be expecting freebies.

          For the cynical about surveys, here’s one for their arsenal:

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ZZJXw4MTA

          • Cynical intelligence
            Posted at 22:15h, 29 October

            Remember seeing this on TV…….the laughs nearly brought the neighbours back from the dead!!!

  • Joe Vella
    Posted at 13:26h, 28 October

    U il-popolarita’ tijjek fejn qeda twassalna dr franco eh??? dik ejdilna meta naraw lil sihbek muscat bhala prim
    Joe Vella exMLP

    • Malteser
      Posted at 14:03h, 28 October

      Allura kemm ilek ex mlp? Minn 1981, 1987 jew 2008? Mux allijsta jkun ikkonvincejt ruhek issa ux??

    • Demmi ahmar
      Posted at 18:26h, 28 October

      @joe vella nahseb li ha zball ghax ried jghid expn ghax illum ma ssibx exMLP

    • Cikka
      Posted at 19:29h, 28 October

      Kemm inti vojt u bla sugu, sur Joe Vella

    • J.Muscat
      Posted at 19:35h, 28 October

      Lately I read your name but don’t even bother to read your comments, please at least try to use arguments and not always write nonsense.

  • J.Muscat
    Posted at 13:06h, 28 October

    Dr.Debono,I agree with 99% of what you say, but honestly I cannot see the reasoning when you say that a new deputy leader could make all that difference. Some questions come to mind.
    1. Will he have the support from inside the party to implement changes necessary, I think not.
    2. Will he risk going against current leadership and getting himself a red card.
    3. Will he have the guts to do it?

  • Fullstop
    Posted at 12:58h, 28 October

    Mhux Austin biss imma PN shih.

    Ma naqbilx mieghek Franco li tghid Austin biss. Austin huwa biss bicca minn kullana ta’ korruzzjoni, decizzjonijiet hzina u fuq kollox arroganza. Dawn huma fost il-ftit li dejqu l-poplu:

    Smart City fejn huma l-5000 Jobs?………… 500 Euros fil-gimgha GHALIHOM u 1.15 GHALIK………….Kontijiet dawl u ilma + Power Station li tiggenera l-haxxix…………Sptar gdid = kjuwijiet u xhur tistenna ghall-operazzjoni + li qed nibnu iehor u se nikru iehor u iehor!!!!………….Kura primarja fuq il-karta ………….Trasport pubbliku iddum id-doppju biex tassal minn A—-B + li trid tiehu insurance!………..Il-Progett tal-White Rocks ZEROOO000oooo…………..IL-Progett tal-Marsa ghal l-isportivi kollha ZEROOO00OOO………..IL-Progett ta’ Bormla kaos shih…………MEPA……. LICENZJI………VAT……..QRATI …………..Kulana shiha ta’ decizzjoniet u responsabbli mhu HADD!

  • Nuffata
    Posted at 12:57h, 28 October

    But according to today’s TOM Austin’s acolyte the PN has modernised Malta and how? Min jaf ghalfejn, forsi minhabba l-bendy buses, il-Power station tal-BWSC li switna l- miljuni u s’issa ghada ma hadmietx. Forsi ghax ergajna xeghelna l-Power station tal-Marsa. Hekk hija l-modernazjoni ala Delia, of course.

  • Ganni Borg
    Posted at 12:55h, 28 October

    Bla Kumment:

    http://www.kullhadd.com/201210274537/Ahbarijiet/gonzi-jaqla-hasla-fuq-facebook.html

    • Chinese Jar
      Posted at 02:28h, 29 October

      Pathetic. I can’t believe you people read such rubbish.

  • Ganni Borg
    Posted at 11:45h, 28 October

    @ Dr, Franco Debono

    La qedin fuq Dr. Austin Gatt li ghandu x’jaqsam mat-trasport pubbliku ma siehbu Manwel Delia.

    X’hinuma l-veduti teighek fuq il-mozzjoni li ser iressqu l-Kunsill Lokali rigward l-Bendy Buses?

  • Ganni Borg
    Posted at 11:44h, 28 October

    @ Dr, Debono

    Ta min jaqra ftit x’qal sieheb Austin Gatt:

    http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121028/interview/-We-modernised-Malta-.442872

  • Demmi ahmar
    Posted at 11:40h, 28 October

    Franco hux veru li f elezzjoni li gejja inti sa tivvota labour?

    • tony
      Posted at 19:15h, 28 October

      jien hekk nahsiba bhalek

      • Chinese Jar
        Posted at 02:29h, 29 October

        He’s more Nationalist than everybody else, and those individuals who say this sort of thing are, yes, planning to vote Labour.

        • J.Muscat
          Posted at 13:36h, 29 October

          That ia according to you. I for one did not vote Nationalist, as I always done, in the past two elections, but I will never vote labour for one simple reason. I do not agree with their principles. But for one to understand this, one MUST have principles.

  • Platun
    Posted at 11:29h, 28 October

    More quotes from George Orwell………..AUSTIN GATT TAKE NOTE PLEASE !!!

    “DURING TIMES OF UNIVERSAL DECEIT, TELLING THE TRUTH BECOMES A REVOULTIONARY ACT”

    “EARLY IN LIFE I NOTICED THAT NO EVENT IS EVER CORRECTLY REPORTED IN A NEWSPAPER”

    “FREEDOM IS THE FREEDOM TO SAY THAT TWO PLUS TWO MAKE FOUR. IF THAT IS GRANTED ALL ELSE FOLLOWS”

    “I SOMETIMES THINK THAT THE PRICE OF LIBERTY IS NOT SO MUCH ETERNAL VIGILANCE AS ETERNAL DIRT.

    “IF YOU WANT AN VISION OF THE FUTURE , IMAGINE A BOOT STAMPING ON A HUMAN FACE – FOREVER –

    “THE ESSENCE OF BEING HUMAN IS THAT ONE DOES NOT SEEK PERFECTION”

  • Platun
    Posted at 11:17h, 28 October

    ” FREEDOM IS THE RIGHT TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO HEAR” – GEORGE ORWELL

    • Chinese Jar
      Posted at 02:30h, 29 October

      A Laburist quoting George Orwell on freedom of speech.

      How supremely ironic.

  • DECIZ
    Posted at 11:15h, 28 October

    Jien Nazzjonalist min guf ommi. Jien ser nivvota lil dak il-partit f’Malta li ser iwaqqaf IL-WHISTLEBLOWER ACT halli naraw fejn marru l-flus tal-poplu. Fejn qeghdin il-flus tal-poplu Malti? Min jaf…

    • BETTER FUTURE
      Posted at 17:55h, 28 October

      DECIZ, DCG had this to say in her Sunday diatribe in the Malta Independent.

      “One of the biggest differences between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition is in facial expression. With the former, it’s what you see is what you get.”

      Would you mind asking her to question il-Prim (on his off day , when he is not mucking the country’s finances), just where Malta’s coffers have been offloaded. I am sure that talking through that infamous snake oil salesman sneer he will convince her that all that dosh landed in someone’s fat pockets.

      • Chinese Jar
        Posted at 02:31h, 29 October

        Better Future, have you confused the prime minister with Mr Dalli?

        • BETTER FUTURE
          Posted at 19:38h, 29 October

          Absolutely no one will place the sneer I described on anyone but Gonzi.

  • Demmi ahmar
    Posted at 11:12h, 28 October

    Tal mishija dan ir ragel li jaghmel dizaztru wara l iehor il poplu ibati u xejn ma iwaqfu, fejn hija id demokrazija? Marret il bahar, u qila hafna.

  • Long Live John Dalli
    Posted at 11:07h, 28 October

    sakemm iddum tirrenja l-klikka ta gonzi jien ma nivvutax pn anzi…

    • Chinese Jar
      Posted at 02:32h, 29 October

      Ha nghidlek, hija, allahares tirrenja l-klikka ta’ Dalli.

  • vox popolo
    Posted at 10:36h, 28 October

    Is-sahha li ghandhu Austin Gatt fil-PN, ebda vox popolo u ebda
    Franco Debono u ebda Pullicino Orlando m’huma sa nehhuillu
    Huwa l’ poplu biss li ghandhu din is-setgha.
    Dan nghidu ghaliex f’Malta d-demokrazzija spiccat.

    • Anzjan
      Posted at 10:57h, 28 October

      Vox Popolo – Austin Gatt jidher li ghandu din is-sahha kollha sempliciment ghax ghandna Prim Ministru kodard, timidu u bla bajd. Nahseb din il-haga hi issa ovvja ghal kulhadd.

      • vox popolo
        Posted at 11:06h, 28 October

        Anzjan nahseb li Austin Gatt ghandhu 6 bajdiet, ha
        anki tal-Prim Ministru!!!!!

        • BETTER FUTURE
          Posted at 17:43h, 28 October

          Would Kate confirm?

    • Veritier
      Posted at 10:57h, 28 October

      Jew “Huwa l’ poplu biss li ghandhu din is-setgha”,

      inkella “f’Malta d-demokrazzija spiccat”.

      Ma jistax ikollok it-tnejn f’daqqa.

      Taf xi tfisser “vox popolo (sic)”?

      • vox popolo
        Posted at 11:18h, 28 October

        Veritier, ikun ahjar jekk terga taqra l-kummenti tieghi.
        Jekk tispicca, jekk mhux, ga spiccat id-demokrazzija
        il-bmieden ihossu fuq kullhadd u jibda jaghmel li jrid
        u dan taht il-kappa tad-demokrazzija, hekk ikollok it-
        tnejn f’daqqa, ‘setgha’ fi hdan id-demokrazzija li ma
        tezistex!!!!!

        • Veritier
          Posted at 12:06h, 28 October

          Naf xi trid tgħid.

          Iżda din is-setgħa mhix nuqqas ta’ demokrazija. Sejħila abbuż kemm trid, imma l-istess setgħa ġiet mogħtija lilhom mill-poplu f’elezzjoni li teliġi d-deputati li jiġu ddelegati biex jeżercitaw din is-setgħa.

          Is-sistema tagħna ma tobligax lill-gvern biex jikkonsulta l-poplu qabel jieħu xi deċiżjoni, popolari jew mhix. Sakemm jibqa’ jiġi rrispettat kull vot kostituzzjonali li jittieħed (mill-poplu jew mid-delegati), id-demokrazija kif imsawwra fil-kostituzzjoni tagħna mhix qed tiġi mittiefsa.

          Wieħed jista’ jagħmel elf argument kontra xi liġi jew oħra li jiġġustifikaw deċiżjonijiet li ma jkunux popolari. Bħala eżempju, l-ispeaker għandu jkollu vot jew le? Jekk iva, dak il-vot kif għandu jiġi rregolat? Sakemm dawn ma jinbidlux, ħadd ma jista’ jgħid li m’hawnx demokrazija għax l-ispeaker ivvota favur il-gvern, anki jekk wieħed jista’ jargumenta li l-vot tal-ispeaker mhux dejjem jirrifletti x’qed iħoss il-poplu.

          Dan u elf eżempju ieħor fejn id-demokrazija ġiet imżeffna fin-nofs.

          Il-fatt hu li d-demokrazija u kif titħaddem huma rregolati mill-kostituzzjoni, mhux minn xi stazzjon tax-xandir jew xi preżentatur tal-programmi għax sempliċiment jidhrilhom mod ieħor.

          Jekk ħa naċċettaw dawn l-argumenti, allura kull gvern jispiċċa mhux demokratiku, għax żgur li f’xi mument jew ieħor ħa jieħu deċiżjonijiet li ma jkunux popolari. Anki l-istess gvern ta’ Joseph Muscat li jidher li se jkollna fi żmien qasir.

          • BETTER FUTURE
            Posted at 17:48h, 28 October

            Yes, any Authority and/or Government that accepts this state of affairs without taking counter action would be condoning such action. It renders itself liable to the accusation of being undemocratic, no matter the thousand modes one might describe this inaction.

    • Eddy Privitera
      Posted at 11:30h, 28 October

      Mur ara kemm mela jista jnehhiulu Simon Busuttil, jekk ghad jihaq Kap hu flok Gonzi !

      • tony
        Posted at 19:12h, 28 October

        simon is one of the klikka mhux billi joqghod jilaba tal fidil.

        • Veritier
          Posted at 19:19h, 28 October

          U mela! Dawk kollha pezza waħda.

          Ara tal-Labour, kulħadd ta’ rasu jagħmel, u jiġu ala l-miżwed x’tgħid id-direzzjoni tal-partit u l-konsulenti tagħhom.

        • N>N>
          Posted at 07:47h, 31 October

          Tony 100% naqbel mieghek.