The green whistle blower : MLP's pre-electoral promises and MEPA meltdown

Abstract

So we are back to Byzantine politics again, with pre-electoral promises being the order of the day. This time it was the MLP and such promises were not veiled nor subtle but blatant and preposterous. At a conference organised by the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC), MLP spokesman Martin Debono had the cheek to say that the party was receiving details regarding projects and development ideas so that it can start considering them thus shortening the processing of these applications by the time it is in power. The word "shortening", as used in the context, leaves little to the imagination, especially after the MLP already claimed, last May, that once in government it would bypass orthodox MEPA procedures and give the green light to mega-projects in Gozo such as the golf course, Qala Creek development and airstrip. Also, such a statement comes hot on the heels of statements by MLP whip Joe Mizzi! Mr Mizzi said that Armier squatters would be heeded on dubious 'social issues' and also on recent pledges by the MLP that it would embark on 'environmental protection' once in government.