The opposition will be using all tools made available by parliamentary democracy, including pairing, to stop the government from running roughshod over the people's interests, the acting leader of the Labour Party, Charles Mangion, said yesterday.
Speaking during the party's May 1 celebrations in Valletta, Dr Mangion said the MLP still represented just under half the electorate and would not be doing the government any favours by abandoning the duty democracy imposed on the opposition to criticise measures undermining the people's interests.
The government's proposal for the Speaker to be appointed from among the opposition MPs was an insult and the MLP was not ready to increase the government's majority of one to two seats in Parliament.
Labour would not forget the values that made it social democratic. It would stand up against any abuse and would not put itself in a corner and dwell in self pity.
At the same time, it had to have the courage to support and improve initiatives taken in the national interest. The party hoped that policies dealing with health, education, investment and foreign affairs would help the political parties find wider consensus.
It wanted to make its own proposals for the expansion of the economy. These had to be based on the reality of Malta within the European Union, the reality of globalisation and the changes in the trades and technical abilities required. They had to be based on the aspirations of young people and on Malta's competitive advantages and aimed at helping those who had fallen behind, developing the individuals' potential.
For this to be done the government had to give recognition to the fact that half of the electorate did not vote for it and these people had the right to see their aspirations respected.
An MLP demonstration, from St George's Square to Freedom Square in Valletta, included the participation of the five contenders for the election of party leader: George Abela, Evarist Bartolo, Marie Louise Coleiro-Preca, Michael Falzon and Joseph Muscat. They walked in one row behind the party's administration, led by Dr Mangion, to the applause of supporters.
Behind the contenders for the leadership post were the seven contenders for the posts of deputy leader: Carmelo Abela, Chris Cardona, Anġlu Farrugia and Josè Herrera for parliamentary affairs and Toni Abela, Clyde Cassar and Gavin Gulia for party affairs.
When speaking on the forthcoming leadership elections, Dr Mangion said it was natural for an election to create a certain tension. However, he was happy that, in a recent meeting he had with the contestants, they unanimously expressed satisfaction at how the party's electoral commission was handling the process.
While he would be doing his utmost to ensure that the smooth process continues to the very end, he hoped the contest would be civil, loyal, honest and based on the contestants' interest to strengthen the party.
He hoped the winner would ensure that no one would feel a loser and that all contestants would remain part of the party's team of capable people whose aim was to serve the people. The new leaders, he advised, should ensure that the selection process would not result in any one being emarginated.
Once the new leaders were chosen, Dr Mangion said, the party had to unite to spread its message in all households.
"If we unite and accept each other without any reservations, it will be easier to build a winning mentality. We have to be confident in ourselves and in our capabilities to convince the majority of the Maltese and Gozitans that the Labour Party has better solutions for the country."
Dr Mangion said that while everyone within the party would have one's own space to express an opinion, once a final decision is taken, this should be respected by all.
The opposition wanted the government to consult widely and seriously, and not just with the opposition, before making important decisions of a political nature.
A minute's silence in remembrance of the late President Sir Anthony Mamo, whose death was announced yesterday morning, was observed.