On the five year anniversary since the Labour Party entered into government, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said that his government will remain the party of change, revealing that reforms will be a central theme within the current legislature, during a celebratory political activity in Rabat, Gozo.

Outlining the third-way labour principles that have characterised his government, the PM stressed the importance of a pro-business attitude to ensure social mobility and opportunity. 

"We have opened the doors and provided opportunities to everyone and provided a platform for equality. We are pro-business because this is how you work in favour of workers, this is how you generate wealth so it can be distributed equally among the populations," Muscat said.

"We made changes, transformed the country, and have the population confirm their faith in the work we were doing. We used to be a country content with mediocrity, but today we are one of the best nations in Europe, we have become the envy of the world."

The current administration, he explained, has been able to succeed at the two pillars of political leadership, the generation and distribution of wealth. 

"Historically, the PL, as shown by the establishment of most of the country's social services, has always been the best party went it came to the distribution of wealth. Five years ago, even those who wanted to change had their doubts about our economic performance, I remember the famous line 'Labour Won't Work'."

Muscat said that the upcoming legislature will be characterised by a third dimension which is the ability to enact change through reform and further modernise the country. 

"We have already made significant inroads. The marriage equality act and Vote 16 will be mentioned as a crucial moment in the development of our society in 100 years."

During the event, the Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia celebrated the reduction of criminality yet made no mention of the man who was killed during an argument in Paceville early on Sunday morning or the young model who lost her life in a traffic accident in Burmarrad on Saturday.

The PM had had previously promised to curb the pervasive drink driving culture in the country through draconian measures. Despite the rising number of road deaths police enforcement, however, remains a concern as evidenced on New Year’s Eve when a mere 11 out of 1,832 drivers that were stopped on New Year’s Eve were subject to breathalyser tests.

Farrugia criticised the opposition’s “constant attacks” on the police force, but failed to even mention the grave incident that took place in the youth hotspot.

During his speech, Farrugia focused on the economic and social performance of the government, saying that it has been able to lead with direction and vision, contrary to previous administrations.