I recently attended an interesting evening organised by the Malta Labour Party to celebrate its 88th anniversary. At one point during the evening an article by the late MLP deputy leader Guzè Ellul Mercer, entitled Ghaliex jien fil-Partit tal-Haddiema (Why I am in the Labour Party), was quoted.

In this article Ellul Mercer stressed that in the workers' party, the leader (at the time Paul Boffa), 'Guzè Ellul' and 'Zaccheu taz-zibel' have the same say because all three can sit around a table as equals and if 'Zaccheu' knows how to put forward an argument, then whoever represents him in parliament should and must submit his argument with all the strength and rights that democracy offers him.

At present, this is what the Labour Party should do, when the Nationalist Party (PN), which has no clear political ideology, tries to treat Labourites as second class citizens, as Ellul Mercer was treated decades ago.

At that time there was social injustice and a huge gulf between social classes but today we speak of a democratic, fair society. However, in reality the PN is dismantling all the hard work that the Labour Party did back in the 1970s and 1980s with the co-operation of many citizens belonging to various social strata.

For those who want to listen, the reality is that back then the Labour Party gave all Maltese citizens their dignity, in particular to the working class.

It also managed to narrow the class gap not by lowering any particular class but by establishing the middle class and by introducing several social benefits.

Mr Ellul Mercer stated that leaders with great political minds come and go, and are soon forgotten, but the party's principles are strongly embedded in its foundations. He maintains that the MLP is built on strong will and so must never change or abandon its principles. Indeed, as a result the party will endure.

Inspired by Mr Ellul Mercer, I urge everyone at the Labour Party, from top to bottom, to make sure that they know the principles and political ideology on which the party is founded.

The party administration has an obligation to teach, explain and guide those who are eager to learn and better understand the party's main objectives. In the meantime, it should leave space for healthy debate on the way forward, as long as the ultimate aim is to find the best way ahead for the common good.