Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this morning that one of the outcomes of Saturday's local elections was that the PL was showing that it was not just the party of the south, but a party that was representative of all the people, wherever they lived, and whatever their social status.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Muscat said the PL had won almost 56% of the vote, a result which the PL welcomed with humility. Should Sliema be excluded, because it was included by the government for political convenience, the PL victory would have been 58%.
FEET ON THE GROUND
This, however, was not the time for euphoria, Dr Muscat said. The PL needed to keep its feet rooted to the ground and analyse the outcome of the election in detail, especially with regard to the message of those who opted not to vote.
His message to the councillors, Dr Muscat said, was that they had to work with everyone. The PL, he said, would extend the hand of friendship to the representatives of the other parties so that they would all work in the interests of their localities.
Dr Muscat said he was very satisfied by the geographical spread of the results, Whereas the PL had retained its strongholds in the south, and strengthened them, it was also gradually also painting localities in the north red. This was important as the PL viewed itself as representing all the people in all areas.
Also significant, he said, was the fact that this result rewarded young candidates. In particular, some young PL candidates achieved impressive results. He was confident they would inject new energy to the councils, while also benefiting from the experience of those who came before.
He noted that in several localities where it already was in a majority, the PL managed to increase its vote share, such as at Zurrieq, Marsaxlokk, Marsa and Dingli.
Now, Dr Muscat said, the PL through its councillors, had to prove itself in its new councils of St Paul's Bay, Safi and Qala, where they needed to build on what was good while correcting what was wrong.
He noted that despite a 'strong negative campaign,' the PL won a marginal majority of first count votes in Mosta although one did not know yet how the council would be composed. The fact that the PL won a majority despite the strong, weeks-long campaign by the PN had strong political significance, he said, and he wished to thank the people of Mosta.
It was also significant, he said, that the party had increased support in Balzan, a PN stronghold.
HOME VISITS TO CONTINUE
He said that during the campaign he enjoyed meeting people in their home. He said that what he had been told by the people would not be forgotten. As from tomorrow he would instruct councillors to draw up a programme of house visits. House visits, he said, needed to be ongoing and not restricted to the weeks immediately before an election.
Dr Muscat said the people had not voted to the PL out of pique but because of its message and proposals. He remained convinced that the party had started off as the underdog, and he still viewed the PL as the underdog for the general election.
"We have an uphill task to convince the majority of the people to give us the majority to govern, because we have the best ideas for the governemnt of the country."
He disagreed that the PN had waged a low-key campaign, noting propaganda on the media and measures taken by the government, such as the return of expropriated lands and the way permits were issued.
At the opening of his press conference Dr Muscat thanked all those who had voted and also those who did not participate, saying, with regard to the latter that their view too would not be ignored. He also thanked all candidates.
FLORIANA POSITION
With regard to the position at Floriana, where the balance of power is being held by independent Nigel Holland, Dr Muscat said the PL just missed winning a third seat. Talks would now be started, he said. The PL was not after a new badge and would do what was best for the locality.