Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday called for the start of a debate to have one National Day that united all the Maltese people.

Addressing a meeting in Vittoriosa to mark the 30th anniversary of Freedom Day, he did not make any conditions but insisted that all the five national days marking milestones in Malta's political history had to be respected.

"We have to stop talking as if there are first-, second- or third-class achievements. Let us respect them all so that we can begin the discussion to have one National Day," he said. Dr Muscat also hailed President-in-Waiting George Abela and lauded him as the right candidate to bring about the sense of national unity "the country was asking for".

The meeting, held under a continuous drizzle, was attended by thousands of Labour supporters in an up-beat atmosphere so much different from that of previous years.

A highlight of the event was the return of Labour's prodigal son, Dom Mintoff, who returned to the same waterfront where he had been harshly criticised by then Prime Minister Alfred Sant, 11 years ago, over Mr Mintoff's abstructive attitude in Parliament.

Dr Muscat dedicated the first part of his speech to Mr Mintoff's vision of a free country that could live in peace with its neighbours.

He recounted the story of a young boy, the son of a British service's cook, who dreamt of breaking the chains of colonialism.

Highlighting the virtues of this "son of a worker", Dr Muscat mentioned Mr Mintoff by name. It was possibly the first time in a decade that a Labour leader publicly praised Mr Mintoff with such fervour and the crowd loved it.

Dr Muscat then spoke of the scaremongering that characterised the 1970s in the wake of the departure of the British armed forces from Malta.

"Our forefathers had made an appointment with destiny, which was uncomfortable for those who feared change, those conservative forces that believe they have a divine right to continue ruling the country," Dr Muscat said.

Dr Muscat reiterated his vision of a successful country in Europe aiming to be the best in the league.

His reference to the "conservative forces" was another indication of his attempt to pitch the political battle on an ideological footing.

The speech was riddled with references to social divisions, which, according to him, a new progressive movement would seek to eradicate.

"A free Malta needs to shed its inferiority complex. We need to see how the Maltese dream will be born again within the European Union. We need to start believing in ourselves once again," he said.

Dr Muscat then spoke of his "Maltese dream" of treating all children equally, of having workers enjoying better paid jobs, of setting free private initiative, of ensuring free quality healthcare for everybody and of a state that actively enabled social mobility so that people could better their standard of living.

In a passing reference to immigration, he said this was an issue where Malta could exercise its freedom within the EU structures and insisted that the government should adopt a stronger approach with European politicians.

Dr Muscat said the country was calling for change.

"In a free Malta another movement for change was born. We need to convince even those who do not agree with us that there is a new alternative. We need to explain to the people our dream," he said.

Malta can be the best in Europe, he insisted.

"I believe. Believe with me," Dr Muscat stressed concluding his speech with the cry: "Hail Independent Malta, hail to the Republic, hail to Freedom, hail to a united Malta."

Earlier, the crowd was addressed by the two deputy leaders, Toni Abela and Anġlu Farrugia.

In a reaction to Dr Muscat's speech, the Nationalist Party said the Labour leader steered clear of mentioning the current international economic situation. Instead he recalled events of 30 years ago in a speech devoid of any political vision.

Dr Muscat, the PN added, had not offered any concrete proposals on how the country could deal with the challenges it was facing.

And when he referred to education, health and immigration, he did not come up with any idea on how to make these sectors more effective.

The Labour leader talked about a new beginning without, however, explaining what this meant. While stressing the need for national unity, Dr Muscat joined the local councils of the neighbourhood enjoying a Labour majority.

By so doing, he broke one of the agreements adhered to for years stipulating that one had to refrain from partisan politics on public holidays, the PN said.

Today, the government's official celebrations start at 9.30 a.m. when the Armed Forces of Malta band and a Guard of Honour march from Gavino Gulia Square in Cospicua to the Freedom Monument in Vittoriosa.

President Eddie Fenech Adami will arrive at 9.55 a.m.

He will inspect the guard and then lay flowers on the monument accompanied by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. A regatta will be held in Grand Harbour in the afternoon, starting at 1.30.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com