MLP's policy documents form 'foundation of election manifesto'

The Labour Party yesterday launched a collection of policy documents published by the party over the last four years.

Party leader Alfred Sant said the book provided the foundation of the MLP's electoral programme, which was at an advanced stage.

The 648-page publication includes documents about the EU, the family, young people, the elderly, health, working conditions, tourism, industry, IT, the public sector and Gozo, among others.

Speaking during the launch, Dr Sant said the documents included in the book - which is called Pjan Ghal Bidu Gdid (Plan For A Better Start) - were developed during a wide ranging process of consultation with some 300 organisations over more than 2,000 hours of discussion.

The discussions and the fact that some proposals had been adopted by the government led to substantial changes to the original drafts.

Indeed, around 29 proposals included in the pre-budget document launched last week were "cut and pasted" from the MLP plans, the Labour leader claimed. Dr Sant said the party's electoral programme would include measures like halving the water and electricity surcharge and a plan for the regeneration of the St Paul's Bay and Bugibba tourist zones. Other measures are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

If elected to office, the party's strategy would be one of a calm and rational change.

"We will continue building on things that are going well and change things which are not," he said.

This change would be based on social and economic needs and there would be a review of public services aimed at bringing about improvement.

Public administration was facing a number of problems, including inefficiency, a lack of seriousness, discipline and training, excessive bureaucracy, corruption, discrimination and extreme politicisation, Dr Sant said.

He stressed the importance of having an annual economic growth rate of at least four to five per cent, improving the tourist product and conducting stronger campaigns to promote local produce.

"We plan to increase the number of tourists visiting the island annually to 1.6 million within four to five years and raise the amount of money they spend to Lm620 million a year," Dr Sant said.

The party also plans to rationalise social services, develop health services and introduce a long-term reform of the pensions system.

To achieve these targets, Labour would be seeking the help of the social partners, and would be working closely with the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.