Labour Party leadership contender Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca was given a warm and enthusiastic welcome this morning when she launched her public activities with a walkabout at Qormi open market, her home turf.

She said that independently of whether it would be the party delegates or the members who voted for the party leader, she intended to base her campaign on the people, consonant with her theme Qrib in-nies biex nirbhu lkoll.

Ms Coleiro Preca said she wanted to hear the people's views on the Labour Party and how they saw its future.

It was clear, she said, that the people wanted to see a stronger MLP which in opposition would hold the government to account and was the alternative government. They also believed that the policies of the party should be based on strong social values.

Ms Coleiro Preca also spoke on her many years involvement in the Labour Party, both in the administration (where she was general secretary) and as an MP, pointing out that her votes were on a constant and steep upward curve.