The Labour Party has gone back to its roots and reintroduced the basic value of social justice to show people that this is the new way of doing politics, Labour Leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

As he appealed for unity, Dr Muscat said the country could not overcome its challenges as a nation that was divided.

“We cannot continue thinking in terms of blue and red. This election is important because people will be choosing a new way of doing things,” he said.

“Will we remain with the tribal attitude of us and them? We are one nation. It’s not an easy message for those who have been suffering for 25 years and I understand them but this is our greatest challenge. We have a historical chance and it cannot be an election like any other.”

He told party supporters in Paola that while he was promising to correct injustices committed over the years, he was also pledging that these would not be addressed by creating more injustices.

He appealed to those who voted for the PN and those who did not vote: the party’s doors were wide open. “We listened, we understood, we changed.”

The few days of the electoral campaign showed that Labour was a changed party that was ready to change the country.

“While we have a positive attitude and have been constructive, the Nationalist Party has only criticised and has not come up with any proposals. There was absolute silence. All we heard was criticism,” he said.

Speaking about the female participation rate, Dr Muscat said the PL had an “aggressive plan” to entice more women to the labour market.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat in Paola last night. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier