The five Labour Party leadership contenders held a number of activities yesterday to drum up support ahead of Thursday's much-anticipated election.
George Abela said that Labour Party delegates had a "crucial" responsibility to play both for the party and for the country.
Speaking during a reception for delegates and party supporters, Dr Abela said the new leader should not only be able to maintain the party's voters, but to attract new ones.
He said there were two groups of people in the MLP - those who wanted to retain the status quo and those who felt the need for change.
On the other hand, Evarist Bartolo said the party had to be united by being more open and to accept the diversity of opinions within it.
Speaking during a discussion on 'The future of the Left' organised by Żminijietna in Valletta yesterday, he said: "The party also needs to find ways of working better with individuals and outside groups that embrace left-wing values and want change in society, the economy and the way the country is run."
"The best left-wing values are social justice, equality and civil liberties, and for these to penetrate society, those who believe in them need to unite and show that they can win an election, form a government and govern well," Mr Bartolo said.
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca called on delegates not to base their choice for MLP leader on the influences of third parties, particularly those who did not love the party.
She said delegates voting on Thursday had a big responsibility and their choice should be based solely on the direction they believed the party should take.
Speaking during a business breakfast, Ms Coleiro Preca said the delegates had to decide whether they wanted the party to be an opportunistic one, which achieved momentary victories or a courageous party whose policies and principles were based on people's wishes.
The MLP leadership contender also highlighted young people's importance in spurring reforms. She said youth should push forward new ideas and encourage discussion, even on the most controversial subjects.
Michael Falzon said the MLP's annual general conference in January should approve a new statute to enable the party to implement the changes necessary to reflect today's reality.
He also spoke about the importance of changing the party's membership system so that more people could join. Dr Falzon said new incentive schemes for membership should be introduced so that the party will have the support of an increasing number of members.
He added that special attention should be given to the party's finances, and an agreement reached about the law regulating the finances of political parties.
Finally, Joseph Muscat pledged that he would unite the party and give it a solid, dynamic leadership of vision.
Addressing a public meeting in Gozo, Dr Muscat expressed his satisfaction at the latest opinion polls, which showed him to be the preferred of the five candidates contesting the leadership election, among Labourites, floating voters, those who voted for the smaller parties, those who abstained and youths.
"I intend to sit at a table with all my friends to listen to them and see that everyone has a place in the party," he said.