A progressive movement is born - Joseph Muscat

A progressive movement was born yesterday with the Labour Party's win in the European Parliament elections, a triumphant Joseph Muscat told jubilant supporters.

The people sent a clear message to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi that they were fed up of being taken for a ride, he said to the thousands of supporters during a celebration meeting outside Labour's Ħamrun headquarters. "His government is falling to pieces."

Dr Muscat said this victory was not the finishing line but, rather, the start.

"They said this day will never dawn but it did... A progressive movement was born today," he stressed. "The people have made a clear choice between yesterday's political parties and tomorrow's progressive movement. There are no blues or reds, no yes or no votes but a coalition of people ready for change..."

His speech was short, no longer than 20 minutes, but it was charged and intense. It came after Labour managed to win the largest majority in a national election for over 50 years.

Waving EU and Labour Party flags, the huge crowd waited for hours in the humid heat until Dr Muscat arrived on stage just after 7 p.m. to cries of Viva l-Labour, Viva l-Labour. The long wait and the heat were too much for some who fainted and had to be taken away from the crowd.

Labour's majority in the EP elections was not just the party's victory but that of an entire movement of people. No single political party could have achieved yesterday's results - a progressive movement was born, Dr Muscat insisted.

Addressing those who voted Labour for the first time and those who refused to vote, he said the people had made a clear choice between political parties of the past and tomorrow's progressive movement.

"I know there were those who hesitated but then voted for us. Welcome to this progressive movement. To those who did not vote, I have a duty to listen to your message," Dr Muscat said.

He told young people he was glad they felt Labour was their natural home.

"The Labour Party does not look at how you voted, whether you voted yes or no. This victory was made possible by everyone," he said.