Caruana’s Silence on Labour’s Costs Raises Questions

As the Labour Party’s election campaign kicked into high gear, party leader and Prime Minister Robert Abela stood side by side with his deputy, Clyde Caruana, at a bustling market in Marsaxlokk. The scent of fresh fish and the chatter of locals filled the air as Abela announced a raft of manifesto pledges. But while Abela was open about the details, Caruana remained tight-lipped when asked about the overall cost of these promises.

Labour’s Big Promises

From free childcare to a universal basic income, Labour’s manifesto is a laundry list of ambitious pledges designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. But as the party seeks a third consecutive term in government, the question on many minds is: how will they pay for it all?

Abela was quick to provide details on several pledges. He announced that the free childcare scheme, set to start in September, will cost €20 million annually. He also revealed that the universal basic income pilot project, to be launched in 2023, will cost €15 million over three years. But when asked about the total cost of the manifesto, Caruana simply smiled and said, “We’ll discuss that later.”

Caruana’s Silence Speaks Volumes

Caruana’s refusal to discuss the overall cost of Labour’s pledges has raised eyebrows among political observers. Some see it as a calculated move to avoid scrutiny, while others suggest it’s a sign that the party hasn’t yet crunched the numbers. Either way, it’s a departure from Labour’s usual approach. In the 2019 European elections, the party was quick to release a detailed costing of its manifesto.

Caruana’s silence also contrasts with the approach taken by his political rivals. The Nationalist Party has been vocal about the cost of its own manifesto, with leader Bernard Grech promising to release a detailed costing soon. The party has already announced that its proposed tax cuts will cost €100 million annually.

Cost of Living Crisis Looms Large

The Labour Party’s reluctance to discuss the cost of its manifesto comes at a time when the cost of living is a major concern for many Maltese. Inflation is at its highest level in decades, and energy prices have soared. Against this backdrop, voters are eager to know how Labour plans to pay for its promises without adding to the financial burden on households.

Labour has promised to introduce measures to tackle the cost of living crisis, including a €200 energy subsidy for all households. But with energy prices showing no signs of abating, some are questioning whether this will be enough. “We need to know the full picture,” said one Marsaxlokk resident as she shopped for fish. “We can’t afford any more surprises.”

As the election campaign continues, all eyes will be on Clyde Caruana. Will he finally break his silence on the cost of Labour’s manifesto? And if so, will the party’s promises add up? . But one thing is certain: the voters of Malta deserve to know the full picture before they cast their ballots.