The Labour Party elected three, and not two, members of the European Parliament and when issues related to the people's rights were being debated, Labourites expected all three to participate, the party's assistant general secretary, Joe Falzon, said yesterday.

He was addressing the party's annual general conference which yesterday started discussing the MLP's environmental plan for Malta and Gozo. The conference is also expected to discuss the party's newly-launched plan for tourism. Mr Falzon, who was evidently referring to Labour MEP John Attard Montalto's absence for the vote on the proposed Port Services Directive, was concluding a discussion on a motion moved by the party's 10th district, of which he is secretary, calling on the MLP to continue insisting on the need to create wealth while respecting the principles of social justice.

Unlike the other two Labour MEPs, Joseph Muscat and Louis Grech, Dr Attard Montalto was also missing from the conference yesterday.

The MLP, the motion said, should continue working to spread its message on the need for a new beginning, which would create wealth and employment.

The motion, which criticised the government for "dismantling the welfare state that had been built by Labour governments", was approved unanimously.

Secretary general Jason Micallef said when presenting his report that besides the plans on the environment and tourism, the MLP was also working on plans dealing with health, education, Gozo, government administration and employment.

The conference continues today.