Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday sought to reassure diehard supporters that the changes happening within the party were intended to secure victory at the next election.

In a 30-minute interview on One Radio, Dr Muscat tugged at the heartstrings of his supporters, insisting that the party had to open up to those sectors of society that traditionally felt more comfortable with the Nationalist Party.

His comments were the first since the announcement on Monday that PL general secretary Jason Micallef was stepping down. It was also the first time he made direct reference to former Nationalist candidate Marisa Micallef, who has joined the PL.

"I cried with you when we lost the elections. My job now is to make sure we cry no more," he said, referring to his supporters as "soldiers of steel", the name give by former Labour leader Dom Mintoff to those who voted Labour when the Church had imposed an interdiction on the party and its supporters in the 1960s.

During a rather one-sided interview during which the journalist asked typically-scripted questions, Dr Muscat insisted he was there to lead and make difficult decisions. The comments come as the first signs of the earthquake promised by Dr Muscat have started to appear, especially with the announcement that Mr Micallef (who supported Dr Muscat's leadership bid) will not run again for general secretary when his term expires in January and instead he serves as chairman of the party's media company as from tomorrow. While the move is likely to be well received among floaters (as will the employment of Ms Micallef) officials at the party's Mile End headquarters are aware it is hard to sell to some diehards.

Dr Muscat urged supporters to take up the challenge to accept the return of those who left the party for whatever reason and even those who did not agree with the party and might have criticised it in the past.

The party, he added, had suffered in the past because it failed to connect with certain sectors of society, which felt that the PN was their natural home. "In the 1970s, these people might have felt at home with the PL because of the social changes it brought about. They had also been in favour of EU membership because they felt the EU embodied their liberal values," he said, adding that such individuals were now disillusioned by Lawrence Gonzi's government.

Dr Muscat said Ms Micallef was part of a group of people who advised the party, pointing out that she did not run the show.

"I spoke at length with Marisa Micallef. She did not vote in the last general election because she was disillusioned by Lawrence Gonzi and felt that another Nationalist government would be a mistake. She is representative of a whole sector of similarly-disillusioned people. I am confident that her contribution will yield dividends," he said.

In a more assertive tone, he chided the party for not having the courage to venture into what were perceived to be Nationalist strongholds. "We gave up before even trying," Dr Muscat said, insisting that when he took up the challenge to contest for the party's leadership he did so with the intention of creating a movement that changed the face of Maltese politics. "I mean business," he said, telling supporters that injustices against Labourites would be redressed without creating new injustices.

Winning an election was now no longer a dream but an achievable goal, he added, insisting he wanted to lead a "stable" Labour government that would bring about change.

In a brief reference to Mr Micallef's stepping down, Dr Muscat reassured his supporters that Mr Micallef still believed in the party's ideals. "I am sure Jason will do a wonderful job in his new role. When we spoke he understood this was the best way for him to offer a contribution to the party."

During the interview he also made veiled reference to former Labour Foreign Minister Alex Sceberras Trigona, now a member of the executive, and former Tourism Minister Joe Grima, who would be presenting a discussion show on One TV, saying that "militant veterans" also had a place in the party.

Dr Muscat hinted that, shortly, the party would be holding a demonstration before closing the interview by borrowing former Nationalist Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami's 1980s rallying cry: truth will prevail.