13 Labour mayors ask Sant to reconsider decision

Thirteen Labour mayors have written to Opposition Leader Alfred Sant urging him to reconsider his decision not to run for party leader, eliciting a promise from Dr Sant to remain loyal to the best interests of the party.

Dr Sant had announced on Monday he would not contest the leadership post at the extraordinary general conference to be convened in a few weeks' time.

The letter from the mayors, the first written reaction from the Labour side to the announcement, expressed their solidarity with him and appreciation for his and his deputy leaders' work.

"We believe that in the circumstances, it is not the ideal moment for decisions to be taken on the party leadership," they pleaded.

When contacted about the letter, a few of the mayors were very cagey about it, at first claiming to have no knowledge of it and then remarking it was a private letter.

Dr Sant replied to the mayors, apparently individually, thanking them for the letter and saying he appreciated the thought and sympathy expressed as well as the interest in the future of the party.

He gave no hint he might consider their request, saying, however, he vowed to "always remain loyal to the best interests of the Labour Party".