More Push The Wrong Button antics in today’s Times. This time it is Nationalist (sic) candidate Vince Farrugia who accidentally sent an email directive from Stefano Mallia intedned to guide all PN MEP candidates to the Times.
“I am very taken up with the demands of the election campaign” and so am unable to give “a comprehensive and proper account of the expenses incurred for the election campaign which is still underway… Once the election is over I will ensure that all accounts are properly done.” Dr Mallia also instructed candidates to say: “I am also committed to abide by the transparency rules as adopted by the Nationalist Party… These rules regulate PN elected MEPs with the highest standards of accountability and are unprecedented in Malta with no party committing itself to transparency rules other than the PN.” – Times of Malta
Thanks to Sully for pointing this out. The Times of Malta is running a story about how the Nationalist party MEP candidates (the same who signed a Simon Busuttil drafted document about transparency in accounting and expenses) have been asked to stonewall any queries about their campaign expenses. It appears another button pushing error by Nationalist (sic) candidate Vince Farrugia resulted in the Times of Malta having a copy of the standard reply instructions dictated by Stefano Mallia.
There is,as yet, no sign of this information appearing on the blog of the purveyor of all things “expense-related” (read Joseph Muscat’s car) even though, as Sully pointed out there would be an “in the family” source who could provide all necessary information.
Meanwhile, back to the email sent out instructing PN candidates to basically give no information until the election is over. Now what kind of picture is being painted here? It was said recently of Joseph Muscat that he is of the “do as I say don’t do as I do” type. Looks like Simon and his pick’n’mix companions might be of the same ilk. What’s the use of committing yourself to unprecedented transparency rules if you cannot even stick to them in campaign mode? What are the electorate supposed to do? Take your word for it? Like what? Mistra? Caravan sites?
And how will the rules be implemented? Conjointly? In Stefano Mallia style? With all the candidates having the same blooming excuse at the same bloody time?
Here’s what happened with regard to the PN candidates:
Most PN candidates, including MEPs David Casa and Simon Busuttil, followed the party’s directive and disclosed nothing, sending only the prescribed text. Three PN candidates stood out for their transparency, however: Rudolph Cini listed his personal expenses as €2,110 and another €3,600 by supporters; while Alan Deidun said he spent around €4,500 on direct mailing, fliers and business cards. Edward Demicoli did not list his expenses but was the only candidate to admit that he has exceeded the legal spending limit.
The Labour party candidates’ replies are about as believable as Pinocchio on ecstasy. Then there were the “small parties”:
Alternattiva Demokratika sent The Sunday Times a detailed breakdown of expenditure, even money received through donations, totalling around €14,300 and signed off by the party’s treasurer. John Zammit of Alleanza Liberali was the first to answer with a detailed list of expenses amounting to approximately €6,300. Independent candidate Cecil Jones also sent a list expenses totalling €1,576, including hairdresser appointments.
I’m not saying vote John Zammit or Cecil Jones… but they seem to have got the hang of accountability to the electorate much faster than the PN with all their “unprecedented transparency rules”. As for Stefano Mallia and Vince Farrugia… there goes all the Pushing the Right Buttons propaganda… down the slippery slope of candidates for political expediency…
Yes We Can. It seems.
