Labour to choose new leader on June 5

June 5 is the day chosen for the Labour Party's general conference to elect a new leader, a decision taken after a six-hour marathon meeting last night.

April was initially floated as a possible date, but sources told The Times April had been discarded to give the party more time to ponder about its future course.

The party's parliamentary group and the executive entered the meeting at 6.30 p.m., which ran until past midnight, however, nobody was prepared to comment on what went on behind closed doors.

The meeting was meant to analyse the MLP's third electoral loss, decide which six seats would be ceded for the casual elections, and most importantly come up with a day for the general conference. Labour MPs started turning up outside the party headquarters in Ħamrun just after 6 p.m.

The main door was closed to ensure nobody 'gate-crashed' the meeting, so at times the delegates had to wait outside for a few long seconds, under the lights of the cameras, before they were let in.

Two policemen stood by. Many were expecting loyal supporters of former deputy Labour leader George Abela to turn up but nothing of the sort happened.

Since Labour leader Alfred Sant tendered his "irrevocable" resignation, the party has had to do some deep soul-searching.

No less than eight candidates are expected to battle for the leadership, though the majority are reluctant to confirm whether they will be throwing their hat in the ring.

Among the frontrunners are MEP Joseph Muscat, Dr Abela, Michael Falzon and Evarist Bartolo. Charles Mangion, Anġlu Farrugia, and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca are also possible candidates.

A few delegates were seen leaving the headquarters early, among them Dr Muscat, who left at 9.25 p.m.

Dr Abela has stirred quite a hornet's nest with his proposal that the party's paid-up members should decide how and when the election for the party's top post is held.

By the time of going to print it was not yet known whether this proposal was taken on board.

According to the party's statute, once the date for the general meeting is announced, those interested in leading the party will have two days to submit their nomination.

The nominations for the post of deputy leaders will open on the same day of the election for party leader, with another general conference being held a week later.

In both cases the ballot will be secret, and the chosen one will need to garner a majority of 50 per cent plus one of the valid votes.

If nobody achieves such a result in the first round, the two candidates with the most votes will be short-listed and a second ballot cast.

Yesterday's meeting established which seat the candidates elected on two districts will give up.

It was decided that Dr Sant will keep the seat won in the first district, Mr Falzon the 10th, Dr Mangion the fourth, Mrs Dalli the second, Dr Vella the third and Mr Bartolo the 12th.

The indications are that Joe Debono Grech, Owen Bonnici, and Silvio Chetcuti are among the candidates who stand to gain from the casual elections by being elected to Parliament.