Labour's veteran MP, former minister Joe Debono Grech this morning made a rallying call for Labourites, telling them not to moan, but to speak out about the progress the government is bringing about.
In a speech at Zurrieq, Mr Debono Grech constantly referred to the Labour Party by the now rarely-used name of Partit tal-Haddiema and Moviment tal-Haddiema.
He said the government could not be expected in three years to rectify 25 years of injustices by Nationalist governments.
A lot had been done in this area, but much remained to be done, he said, but rather than moan publicly, Labourites should highlight the government's achievements.
Under Joseph Muscat's "wise leadership", Malta was on the road to becoming the best in Europe, he said. Unemployment was down, business activity was rising, tourism was increasing and debt was going down.
Yet some Labourites were complaining about the fact that they were not getting what they wanted, Mr Debono Grech said.
He compared it to a married couple which moved into a dilapidated house and had to fix it before taking in the furniture.
Labour would rectify injustices for Labourites and Nationalists, but not even "Superman" could fix what the PN did in 25 years.
Mr Debono Grech said one should not continue to have a situation where Labourites ended up propagating Nationalist propaganda about the government not delivering.
"In 25 years did you ever hear Nationalists complaining about their government Speak about the good which your party is doing, like raising pensions and reducing electricity tariffs.
"When women go out to work, tell your colleagues that they would not be able to go out to work without free childcare."
Successive Nationalist governments, he said, left office after ruining public finances.
The last finance minister was only good at making money from a car he bought cheaply from the government. He had wanted to sell Enemalta for €1, while Labour got new investment for it and was paying off its debts.
"This is what you should be speaking about, rather than moaning about not being served," he insisted. He told the audience that he still made door-to-door visits, even though he was retiring from politics and he heard the complaints. Some were justified, others not, but things took time.
"As for corruption, what corruption? People should not forgot what happened in the past about oil procurement and the martyrdom of 25 years that Malta went through, "he said.
Early in his address Mr Debono Grech, a former PL deputy leader, thanked Toni Abela who is about to leave the post and praised Konrad Mizzi, who is taking over the role. During this period of Lent, he said, Dr Mizzi was shouldering the cross which the position involved.
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela, who spoke later, said the government was committed to rectify injustices of the past in the Armed Forces of Malta.
He said solutions were also being sought for the police to be paid for their overtime.