Labour opted to announce its proposals gradually for the people to understand what was being proposed but it would be publishing its electoral programme shortly, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said.

Speaking in an interview on One, Dr Muscat said the government lacked a plan for the energy sector and this could be seen from the confirmation given by PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil that the PN’s costings did not feature the gas pipeline.

Labour, he said, went into great detail in its energy plan, including as to how and when the proposed investment would be carried out.

He also spoke on the health sector and said that the time had come to start giving assurances so Labour would introduce a Patients’ Rights Charter which would stipulate the maximum length of time one should wait for operations.

Patients would have the right to seek treatment in the private sector once this time elapsed.

On education, he said that Labour’s proposal of a sabbatical leave for teachers to continue with their studies was being introduced following talks with the Malta Union of Teachers. The proposal would be introduced in a way that would not affect the scholastic year.

He said that from the feedback received so far, the proposals which had the biggest impact on the people were those for accountability among politicians, the removal of prescription and the introduction of the Whistleblowers’ and Party Financing acts.