Changes are needed within the Labour Party and they need to take place now, party leader Joseph Muscat insisted yesterday.

"This is the time to discuss change and face challenges, and I need soldiers made of steel behind me. Let us give people the proof that this is a new Labour Party," he said as he closed the first session of an extraordinary general conference which he described as historic.

The conference, entitled Progressivi (progressives), was convened to discuss proposals for wide-ranging change to the party's statute.

This includes re-naming the party and updating its emblem while retaining the torch that was seen by Paul Boffa, the first Labour Prime Minister, as representing progress, a guiding light, intellectuality and love.

Dr Muscat said the party needed to transform itself into a movement that would overcome social barriers and appeal not only to traditional voters but also to those who shared the same principles but had never voted for the MLP.

"We want a movement that is willing to welcome into its fold all those who hold social democratic beliefs," he said, adding that the MLP would be listening to its followers and giving them a say when decisions were taken.

He said a craving for change had been a unifying factor among the contenders in last June's leadership race but courage was required to bring about the needed change.

But while change was necessary, the party's principles, based on social justice, would remain unaltered, with the new movement seen as a haven for those struggling to make ends meet.

The conference would be searching for solutions to today's problems - people working more but earning less, struggling to maintain their standard of living.

"We have to be relevant to today's society, giving people the hope that there is a new direction for the country."

Referring to the name of the conference, Dr Muscat said progressive people had the will for change ingrained in them.

"You cannot sit back in the face of injustices and do nothing to ensure that wealth is distributed throughout society."

Dr Muscat said that in order to gain an electoral victory, one could not be in constant fear of losing and surrounded by a cloud of negativity.

Labour MP Karmenu Vella called on delegates to keep the interests of the party at the forefront as they discussed the statute changes, which would allow the party to strengthen itself on different levels while maintaining its identity as a progressive party that fought for social justice.

"Many say they are in favour of social justice but while we were fighting for it, others were wearing the black of fascism."

He urged delegates to toe the same line once decisions were taken, a call which was echoed by Labour MEP Louis Grech.

Mr Grech said that while accepting that change needed courage, maintaining the status quo was not an option.

"There are times when it's easier to do nothing, but this is not the road we need to take."

It was unacceptable for the party not to take action following the analysis of its electoral defeats.

Moreover, the party could not accept that it was someone else's divine right to govern. "We cannot be fatalistic and think there is a superiority that we cannot surmount."

The conference was opened by party president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who said it presented a historic opportunity which allowed delegates to take stock of the past while looking at the future.

The proposed changes were substantial and the need for such a change-inducing conference, which differentiated between what was still valid and what was past its sell-by date, had been felt for some time.

"We are face to face with our destiny and have the opportunity to show that we are progressive. This is an opportunity we cannot lose."

The conference started with a minute's silence in memory of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi's mother, Inez, who passed away yesterday morning.