Labour deputy leaders fail to turn up for student debate
I urge you to read the online edition of The Malta Independent (independent.com.mt) if you are not doing so already. It is the only online newspaper currently giving real insight into the electoral stories of the day.
You know those details the other newspapers miss? The Malta Independent is picking them up. Not that you can call Louis Grech’s and Toni Abela’s failure to turn up to a student debate a mere detail, but for some reason timesofmalta.com has missed it. Perhaps they were too busy describing the latest ‘rapturous welcome’ Joseph received from a manufactured crowd of bums and pensioners on a street corner.
From independent.com.mt right now:
The two deputy leaders of the Labour Party have not turned up for a debate on campus especially dedicated to the second in command.
Both Simon Busuttil, for the Nationalist Party, and Carmel Cacopardo, for Alternattiva Demokratika, accepted the invitation for a debate on the general election.
But neither Toni Abela nor Louis Grech has turned up for the discussion. Instead, the Labour Party has sent Owen Bonnici, who is the PL spokesman on tertiary education.
The election debate is being organised by the Kunsill Sudenti Universitarji (KSU), and in the invitation sent to the media it is specifically mentioned that it is a debate reserved for the deputy leaders.
In his opening remarks, Dr Busuttil expressed surprise over the PL deputy leaders’ failure to turn up for the debate. The Labour Party, he said, has two deputy leaders to choose from, yet Labour failed to send one of them.
Too busy, are you, Louis? My, my, my – and then your Fearless Leader tells us that he is going to dump all the responsibiity for implementing his electoral programme on YOU.
I somehow got the feeling you wouldn’t cope. I can’t say I blame you – at 65 it’s time to put on your slippers and listen to music.
I can’t say I’m surprised Toni Abela fought shy. He was probably afraid he’d have to face catcalls and chants of ‘blokka bajda’, or perhaps some questions about what the hell he might have been thinking, if at all.
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http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-02-28/news/pl-deputy-leaders-fail-to-turn-up-for-students-debate-999096320/
Anzi l-istudenti suppost maghhom.
Biex tara r-rispett li ghandhom, x’se jghidu, li Owen bizzejjed?
The Malta Independent is the newspaper to read. Forget about The Times whose agenda is not even hidden. Shame on The Times for the disservice it is giving its readers.
Shame on the readers for still buying it. They’re getting very poor service. I stopped buying The Times several years ago.
Same here
I stopped buying it a couple of months ago.
I always had the vague idea that the editor had the final say what had to appear in the newspaper but I am wrong with regards to The Times. There must be a hidden hand dictating the services offered on this rag.
There is still a backbone in the press. I feel like saying Hallelujah. When will people realise that principles should come first?
The Times should have realised that irrational actions can have worse than expected logical consequences.
New litany :
Blessed are the PL cowards for they shall inherit government – heaven help us all.
Is it true that Toni Abela had a fallout with his Dear Leader? I heard that they almost came to blows but I’m not certain of that and I cannot quote an official source.
Nah do not think it did come to blows – our Joseph does not attack physically. He does so in other ways.
What you heard is quite logical and it was a matter of when not if, it would happen.
Also, it seems to me that the earthquake Joseph Muscat promised when he was elected party leader is happening now and is shaking his own party’s/movement’s foundations.
Nationalists should boycott Times of Malta. It has become completely pro Labour.
I’m in for that, brilliant.
Even the Times is switching, vera mortu il-bahar.
1 PN loses election.
2 Change in leadership.
3 Mario De Marco becomes leader and Chris Said deputy.
Anna Caruana, it’s not that the PN sejjer il-baħar. The Times is behaving this way because of your third point. Plain and simple.
Simon Busuttil should have kept his job in Brussels. At this rate, he’ll be a mere opposition front bencher at best.
Not only the journal, even who is somehow related.
Perhaps Toni was scared they would ask him about the size of his banana. (Watch this video to get it at 0:54)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdIomKBj3No
Please, Daphne, tell The Malta Independent that their web site is very slow. It takes ages to load compared to the other sites and on a small screen it is impossible to read.
Had some problems initially with the Malta Independent website. I called their IT office – explained the problem and they dealt with it pronto. That is service for you.
Up till now, 14.36 hrs, there is nothing reported in the Times of Malta on line that the two PL deputies were replaced by Owen Bonnici for the debate with Simon Busuttil. Shame on the whoever is responsible for this bias.
The Times forgot when it was burnt by the same people it is supporting. Guess where Times was printed in those dark days. Not the Union Press!
My family stopped buying The Tmes of Malta these last few months. It is not an independent newspaper anymore. The Malta Independent is now better.
I agree, I stopped purchasing The Times soon enough… I smelt it coming… we all know who the hidden hand is, don’t need to spell it out do we?
Poor old Mabel Strickland must be turning in her grave to see how her loved newspaper has lost its soul.
Muscat to go on Xarabank tomorrow…ejja halli naraw lil PM imeku..http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-02-28/news/muscat-to-take-part-in-xarabank-debate-peppi-azzopardi-1001947137/
I have stopped buying The Sunday Times for a long time, now it’s the turn of its sister. I have already opted for The Malta Independent.
Same here.
Dear The Times, I think it’s time for the parting of our ways. You have been my companion for the past 44 years.
I have stood by you in thick and thin, and have prayed with you on every anniversary since the famous Black Monday. Good luck with your new-found buddies. It has been nice knowing you.
Francis, I’m with you all the way.
I fear an official takeover of The Times by the PL is not far away.
Wrong Bendu. The Times will remain firmly in the hands of the person who will probably be leader of the Nationalist Party after the next election.
Even you Alfred, do you think that the PN councillors are stupid?
It`s more difficult to become a party leader, then sending a leaflet with your photo and the maduma on the back.
It`s becoming increasingly clear that PL have the English dailies in their pocket, except for the Independent which has remained true to its name.
Malta Today has become a joke and The Times is slowly sliding into PL servility.