MLP launches plans and vision document

The 648-page Pjan Ghal Bidu Ìdid (Plan For A New Beginning), containing the Labour Party's plans and vision statements, will be officially released today.

MLP sources say the plans and vision statements contained in the book are the end result of a long process that included drafting by Labour spokesmen within the parliamentary group, internal discussions within the MLP's structures and also talks with experts, NGOs, civil society, trade unions, ambassadors, government administrators, families and individual citizens.

"In the preparatory stage of these reports, the MLP held over 2,000 hours of consultations with more than 300 Maltese and Gozitan organisations," the sources said.

The document, the sources added, is meant to be the party's answer to the wishes of the people of Malta and Gozo, hence the title Plan For A New Beginning.

"Change must come about on the basis of truth... of the factual reality and not that depicted by partisan propaganda. Furthermore, change must take place in line with the aspirations of families and citizens and not to accommodate the needs of closed cliques according to their exclusive interests; cliques formed by circles of friends of friends who, come what may, always have their nests well feathered," the sources said, explaining the rationale behind the party's plans and vision statements.

The MLP, the sources added, wanted a plan structured on the values of European Democratic Socialism as practised in today's environment. "We advanced the call for Work, Care and Dignity as the strongest expression of such values," the sources said.

The book will be launched by Labour leader Alfred Sant at lunchtime today in Valletta. For the launch the MLP has invited all media organisations and leading columnists.

The book will be available from newsagents around the island.