Michael Falzon in the race regardless of who will vote

Labour leadership hopeful Michael Falzon will remain in the race whether or not party delegates decide to extend voting to paid-up members, he said yesterday.

The decision on whether the party leaders are to continue to be elected by delegates alone or also by the party's roughly 19,000 members is expected to be taken by the delegates on Friday during an extraordinary general conference.

One of the main proponents of the idea is George Abela, another of the candidates for party leader.

Mr Muscat would not be drawn yesterday into a discussion on the proposal.

Asked how a decision to open up the voting would affect him, Dr Falzon said he felt he should not express an opinion since he was one of the contestants. Yet, he expressed his belief in inclusivity, saying that not only did the party need to communicate more on an internal level but externally it needed to be in a position to understand people.

Yesterday morning he toured the open market in Valletta where he spoke to hawkers and shoppers as part of his campaign leading to the June 5 leadership election.

He said afterwards that the strength of a political party lay in the number of people it was able to attract into its fold.

He pointed out that he was almost finished consulting delegates and he was also meeting members of the public.

Later in the morning Dr Falzon also visited the Scouts and Guides joint annual parade in Valletta. He thanked the movements which, he said, give youngsters access to social and educational activities, keeping them away from bad habits and dangers.