Joseph Muscat coming soon to a residence near you

Labour leader Joseph Muscat will embark on a nationwide, one-to-one campaign that will see him and his team visiting each and every household on the islands. The Malta Labour Party door-to-door membership recruitment drive, expected to last eight or nine months, will kick off on Monday, starting in Valletta.

The deputy leader for party affairs, Toni Abela said the recruitment campaign is aimed at bolstering the number of members registered with the party, from the present 19,000 to 40,000 or 50,000. Keeping in mind that during the last election the party enjoyed the support of 141,000 voters, this should be reflected in its members, Dr Abela said.

Taking part in the campaign will be a mix of party candidates, MPs and the party leadership itself, including Dr Muscat. They will be carrying an official ID card, certifying that the holder is authorised to be the party's representative on this recruitment drive. Representatives of each of the MLP sectional committees will be responsible for organising the door-to-door visits for their respective town or village, Dr Abela said.

Visits forming part of the campaign, coordinated by Emanuel Cuschieri, will be held during the week from Monday to Friday, between 5 and 8 p.m. Every household in every locality will be visited, Dr Abela pledged, irrespective of political belief or support.

He appealed to all Maltese and Gozitan people to be willing to listen to what the MLP had to say, even if they might not agree with the party.

"We appeal to you to be willing to listen to what we have to say," he said, "and we will be willing to listen to what you have to say."

Dr Abela said the party will be doing its utmost to reach out to people, ensuring that contact details are left at residences found empty throughout the recruitment drive.