'Embrace change,' Mangion tells MLP

Charles Mangion, acting leader of the MLP, this evening appealed to the party not to be afraid of change.

"The Labour Party in the coming years needs to become more popular in order to draw support that is more representative of all the strata of Maltese society," Dr Mangion told the traditional May Day demonstration, the first large post-election activity to be held by the MLP.

"The party must not be afraid of change because society is changing as well".

He said the party was at the beginning of a change process, the aim of which was for it to win the confidence of the absolute majority of the people. There was need for everybody to work together, while everyone was allowed the space to express his opinion before decisions were taken.

He expressed satisfaction at the way the leadership contest was going and said such satisfaction had also been expressed to him by the five election candidates. What was important, he said, that after the contest was over, nobody felt that he had lost and all would continue to work part of the Labour team. Whoever was elected leader needed to ensure that the leadership contest would not mean anyone's marginalization.

Following the leadership contest the party needed to be confident in itself and it had to take its message all over Malta and Gozo, Dr Mangion said.

The party would not cower in some corner, burying itself in self-pity but would hold the government to account and promote its principles and values.

It also expected regular consultation from the government on matters of national interest and would back all initiatives for the national good, Dr Mangion said.

The activity included concerts in Great Siege Square and Freedom Square, a band march and the demonstration from Palace Square to Freedom Square, where Dr Mangion made his address.

The five leadership contenders walked in a line behind the band, with the contenders for the deputy leadership behind them. It was the first time they attended a public activity together.

Picture - Three of the MLP leadership contenders at the May Day rally: from left, George Abela, Joseph Muscat and Michael Falzon.