Nationalist Party MEP hopeful Frank Portelli has suggested Victory Day on September 8 as the one National Day that should unite all the people.

Sticking to his self-declared label of being "frank" about issues, Dr Portelli left his comment on timesofmalta.com yesterday.

He was reacting to the reportage of the Labour Party's mass meeting in which Labour leader Joseph Muscat called for the start of a debate to have one National Day.

"A national day should unite the whole people and the celebrations should attract every Maltese whichever political thought they harbour. To my mind therefore the choice is September 8," Dr Portelli said.

While pointing out that each of the five national days had its own political significance, Dr Portelli said that Victory Day has been held in high regard since 1565.

"It marks the raising of the Great Siege and Malta's historic landmark victory in the safeguard of our Christian heritage," he said. He added that it could "heal a few wounds" on both sides of the political divide.

Last Monday, Dr Muscat said the five feasts marking important political milestones in the country's history should enjoy equal respect. He then called for the start of a debate to have one National Day, which would unite all the Maltese.

Meanwhile, in a statement the PN pointed out that it was Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who had initially invited Dr Muscat to talks on the choice of one national day.

In a letter sent to Dr Muscat in July last year, Dr Gonzi proposed the start of a discussion on the matter. The letter also contained a series of proposals dealing with other national issues.