Health Minister Chris Fearne has formally launched his bid to become Labour deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, a post which would make the incumbent deputy prime minister.

The contest is a three-horse race with Edward Scicluna and Helena Dalli.

Mr Fearne told a press conference that he had the energy and determination to take on the added responsibilities.

Speaking outside the oncology centre at Mater Dei Hospital, Mr Fearne said Labour delegates were spoilt for choice.

Labour, he said, was like a championship team whose manager had to choose between three prolific attackers, unlike the Nationalist Party that barely had enough players to field a team, it had no manager and no captain, the keen Chelsea supporter said.

Reiterating that he would continue trying to convince Joseph Muscat to stay on, Mr Fearne said he would work with anybody who became leader if the Prime Minister did not change his mind.

"I am ready to offer the party a number of years in this role," he said.

The prime minister has declared that last month's general election was his last.

Mr Fearne dismissed a suggestion that launching his bid at the oncology center was inappropriate, adding he was not trying to hide the fact that he was health minister. He said his work in the health sector was something to be proud of.

The Labour deputy leadership election will be held in two weeks time.