Labour elects new deputy leader for parliamentary affairs
Mangion calls for a pro-active party
Charles Mangion was early yesterday morning elected the Labour Party's deputy leader for parliamentary affairs after polling 54.2 per cent of the total votes cast in an election held at the MLP headquarters, in Hamrun.
The election was also contested by Leo Brincat, who polled 26.9 per cent of the votes, Joe Brincat (13.4 per cent) and Josè Herrera (5.5 per cent).
Just after being elected Notary Mangion told the media he looked at the delegates' confidence in him as a big responsibility.
As a strong and big party the MLP had to be strengthened and become more inclusive, developing policies which attracted the biggest number possible of Maltese and Gozitans without impinging on Labour principles, he said.
Notary Mangion, 50, who served as Justice and Local Councils Minister in the 1996-98 legislature, believes he can help formulate policies with wider popular appeal.
"The MLP should remain centre-left and never abdicate its principles. However, the party has continuously to update itself according to developments and be pro-active rather than reactive.
"The Labour Party has a history to be proud of and we should build on it, doing away with what has not given results.
"This does not mean that we push the people away. I believe in a more inclusive party, all people who have Labour principles should have a place within the party and feel it is their natural home."
Dr Mangion has been active in the MLP since 1974. He served as Deputy Speaker between 1992 and 1994 and has shadowed industry, home affairs and local councils.
In January 1998, Dr Mangion resigned his ministerial post in the Labour government after assuming responsibility for not seeking cabinet approval before recommending a presidential pardon to a man found guilty of drug possession.
Fellow contender Leo Brincat congratulated Notary Mangion and promised his commitment to work closely with the party's new leadership while intensifying his work in parliament and in the district, with the main aim of once again electing the MLP to government.