The surgeon who operated on Labour leader Alfred Sant several weeks ago, Anthony Zammit, stole the show yesterday on the first day of Labour general conference, the last before the next election.
Greeted with a standing ovation, Prof. Zammit referred to Dr Sant's operation, from which "we emerged triumphant", he said.
He said: "The Nationalists were offended when we told them he is there and he will be there... They described my bulletins as similar to Fidel Castro's... Where is the professional ethic? They threw mud, cast doubts, created uncertainty. He is there and he will be there."
Prof. Zammit thanked Dr Sant for showing trust in him and in the Maltese medical profession. In an obvious reference to President Eddie Fenech Adami, he said that while Dr Sant availed himself of Maltese doctors, others went to the US.
"This is the difference between the MLP and the PN. The MLP has confidence in the Maltese and Gozitan workers. And Maltese workers will again put the country on its own feet. I am proud to be Labour," he said.
On the new hospital, Prof. Zammit said state-of-the-art stopped at construction and equipment. Once, he said, he told the authorities that what he wanted was for the people to be fully served. "Why should I carry fewer operations because of a lack of beds. What kind of management is this? Is this state-of-the-art?"
Labour was ready for the battle and it would once again be triumphant, Prof. Zammit said, ending his speech.
The conference was also addressed by deputy leader for party affairs, Michael Falzon who said that the party's next general meeting, after the election, would be implementing the party's plan for a new beginning.
The party, he said, had been listening, planning, consulting and building for years. The time would soon come for the party to reap what it had sowed. And from the day following the election, it would start implementing its plans. Labour could be trusted because it always kept its promises.
A new Labour government would bring about a change for the better through its wealth creation policy.
Dr Falzon spoke on the party's plans to curb the cost of living, for health, education, the environment, employment and the family.
Election day, whether it be March 8 or another day, was close. The wind of change was blowing and the change was going to be for the better, he said.
The people would be able to look at Labour with confidence and courage. It would be there for the service of the people, it would help families become stronger through the creation of more quality and stable employment.
Labour would invest in young people and it would also be a better government for the elderly, Dr Falzon said.
General secretary Jason Micallef said the main issue this election was the people's desire for change.
He promised that, under a Labour government, everyone would be allowed to work including Labourites and those who did not necessarily support Labour but wanted change in the interest of the country.
The party's work in the past four years, he said, had been aimed at getting the party's message across, being close to the people and creating plans together with the people.
It had not been easy but challenges were overcome and results were achieved with the party winning five subsequent elections after the last general election.
The best opportunities in the EU, Mr Micallef said, could only be obtained with a Labour government.
The conference discussed a motion moved by the executive on Ensuring Social Wellbeing in Our Country. It deals with the need to curb the cost of living, improve education and health standards, and the environment.
The conference continues today, tomorrow and on Sunday.