Coleiro-Preca takes to the streets

The only woman contender for the Labour Party leadership, Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca, yesterday toured the market in her hometown of Qormi to mingle with shoppers.

Accompanied by her husband Edgar and helpers, Ms Coleiro-Preca's walk was constantly interrupted by well-wishers and people who kept asking for her assistance. "This is the reason I'm on the road," she said.

She said that she was now starting to meet people as part of her campaign to listen to their views on the Labour Party.

With 34 years of experience in politics - 24 in the party's structures and 10 in Parliament - Ms Coleiro-Preca promised she would respond to the people's requests, building a policy based on social values and reflecting their aspirations.

At last month's election, Ms Coleiro-Preca acquired 25 per cent of the valid votes cast in her district. She said yesterday that 56 per cent of the new eligible voters had also voted for her, proving she was also popular with the young.