The government is “stifling the spirit of democracy” by clinging to power and sacrificing the rules of democracy, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening.

In his May 1 message, Dr Muscat told a large crowd of Labour supporters at St George’s Square in Valletta that the majority in Parliament wanted decisions to be taken.

Referring to the current issue over the date of debates on pending opposition motions,  Dr Muscat said the Opposition was willing to reach reasonable solutions but it would not accept more dragging of feet.

Dr Muscat said that despite the indecision in Parliament, the Opposition would continue to work with serenity, knowing it was on the right side of history.

“While others are stuck in their ivory towers, we are one with the people,” he said.

Photo: Jason Borg

He told supporters not to expect those in government to pull themselves away from power.

“They will stay on to the end to dish out permits, waiving bills and serve a few people through the taxes of the  many...

“The time will come when families will judge the government and opt for change for the people. We will come up with a roadmap of how to transform Malta to be the best in the EU...

“This movement believes that the best days of the country are yet to come,” he said to applause.

Dr Muscat said that, under Labour, jobs would be created to generate wealth which would then be spread according to meritocracy. Jobs were the backbone of the movement but the PL also had other priorities such as civil rights, social services, environmental rights and social mobility.

The Labour leader said that every child would be given the chance for a better life.

He said that education was facing the same predicament as the health sector, where people were being treated in the corridors of the nice new hospital because of lack of beds. 

The country also had nice new schools but students were being left in metaphorical corridors. 36 per cent of students were not furthering their education after reaching the age of 16 and were leaving without basic skills.

Photo: Jason Borg

Labour would declare war without precedent against illiteracy, he said, as he again explained the PL’s guarantee that every 16 year old would either be studying, in training or working.

This system had already been adopted by progressive countries such as Austria and Finland and the European Socialist Party was dedicating €10 billion to introducing it in every EU country, he said.

The PL would also not forget those who were over 40 and without a job and businesses.