The Nationalist Party had to cut short its Friday evening activity as part of the election campaign due to rainfall.
The PN had just begun its activity in Swieqi – advertised as a political discussion on security – when it had to call it off following a downpour.
Leader Alex Borg had answered just the first question put to him at the start of the event. The live feed went black just after a short video feature was played introducing the subject.
Before the discussion ended prematurely, Borg said that a PN government would give local councils their powers back so that residents could better manage their own localities. He noted that through this change, Swieqi will be treated as a priority as its hard-working councillors will be able to arrange their own pavements and bolster security themselves, among other initiatives.
Borg said that the realities being faced by localities like Swieqi must be addressed constantly – “and not just on the eve of an election.” He remarked that “after years of neglect,” the Labour Party is now expressing concern about security in Swieqi.
Borg said that Swieqi’s character as a town has changed from a residential area to a more commercial one, and that residents’ calls for a greater police presence around the locality have not been listened to.
“You cannot change a village’s demography and character without addressing that reality,” Borg said.
He also stated that the Nationalist Party would invest in Swieqi’s security if elected.
It was soon afterwards that the event was cancelled because of the rain.
Rain was forecast for Friday evening. The Labour Party had initially said that its general conference was to be held open air at Manoel Island, but on Friday afternoon this was moved indoors because of the weather forecast.
