Owen Bonnici unveiled a 20-point plan as he formally kick-started his campaign in the Labour Party deputy leadership race today

The Justice Minister said he would emphasize the importance of correct behavior but stopped short of saying whether the party should have an internal mechanism to ensure this.

He was asked by Times of Malta whether his commitment would translate into some form of party structure.

"My job is to support the Prime Minister, who has shown time and again that he is able to take difficult decisions, and ensure nothing gets in the way of the good work being done in the country," he said.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the behavior of Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, Dr Bonnici acknowledged many were disappointed with what happened.

However, he added, Dr Mizzi had apologized in Parliament and the Prime Minister did not shy away from taking the necessary decisions.

"We would not be here today had decisions not been taken," he said.

The race for deputy leader party affairs is being held after Dr Mizzi resigned the post two weeks ago, barely two months after being chosen by delegates in a one-horse race.

The resignation was prompted by his setting up of a company in Panama. 

Dr Bonnici's manifesto includes a commitment to meet all party committees in the first 100 days, create a party official with responsibility for Gozo, reform the customer care department within the party and meet regularly with unions and constituted bodies.

He is proposing a study so that the party can identify pockets of precarious work and propose ways how to deal with the issue.

Dr Bonnici's bid is seconded by veteran Gozitan delegate Guza Cassar and MEP Miriam Dalli.