Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Robert Abela said Monday that the PL has clearly shown the public that "we are the party of the future."

The Labour Party closed off its general conference with with a rally held at the MFCC in Ta' Qali.

In his first political rally addressing Labour supporters since the pandemic, Abela took his speech as an opportunity to shed light on several initiatives, changes and plans the Labour Party has worked on and will continue working on.

"In the last few days, we have reflected on what has been said by a number of people working within different sectors in order to reach new levels for Malta. The Labour Party has a lot to give to our country and is doing this by presenting an ambitious plan which seeks to involve everyone," Abela said.

"We have gone through a lot in the past few months, but we were a team of competent people who moved the country forward. There may have been some who were discouraged and short-sighted during this difficult period, but I have a team of people who rose to the occasion and continued with their work," Abela said.

Instead of taking the easy way out, the party showed determination and worked harder than ever before in order to move Malta forward, he added.

Speaking about the Nationalist Party, Abela said that it was incapable of renewing itself, let alone the country.

"The difference between the two parties is that we are determined to improve and offer solutions for a better Malta, whilst the Nationalist Party constantly chooses to adopt a negative and partisan approach."

The political way of thinking that gripped the PN has remained the same, he said. "The PN is focused on tarnishing the name of our country in order to seize power in its hands. For the Nationalist Party, politics simply means someone who is capable of shouting and criticising the most. The Nationalist Party takes pleasure from the country's misfortune, whilst the Labour Party rejoices with people's wealth."

"Don't let them hinder you. This legislature doesn't have more than nine months to it, but it has not yet ended. We have projects that are coming to a finish and an upcoming budget which will reflect the vision we want for this country. This is a tool that will lead to a better quality of life for all," Abela said.

He added that the next budget will not see tax increases but will seek to increase pensions. It will also be another budget that leaves more money in people's pockets.

Nonetheless, Abela highlighted that "money is not everything and our lives are not measured only by material wealth."

He remarked that the Labour Party has not stopped working and coming up with ideas - ideas that even challenge the government's thinking as "we want a living party which remains an instrument for change."

Abela thanked PL President Ramona Attard and PL Deputy Leader Daniel Micallef for their work in the launch of 100 ideas which build on the past but look to the future.

"I am a convinced European democratic socialist who believes in strengthening those who have fallen back in society and those who might need support. I also believe in strengthening businesses who should have a level playing field. Above all, I believe in Malta's workers as they are the basis of our country," Abela said.

He highlighted that the aim of the party is not to give rise to envy or conflict between one social class or another but to give people the opportunity to live a better quality of life.

Although Abela admitted that the Labour government has not always reached the needs and aspirations of the people, he assured the public that the party will continue listening and working on reaching those aspirations for everyone.

Speaking about the reforms implemented by the Labour government in recent months, Abela remarked that despite the criticism, the reforms that this government changed were beneficial for Malta.

"The great strides we have made are recognized by all, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who just last week praised Malta's judicial reforms. Nonetheless, we still have a long way to go in the field of reforms in order to renew this country," Abela said.

"We need to see a discussion on a serious electoral reform as current electoral laws need to better reflect the society we are living in," he said.

Abela also revealed that studies on an underground metro system will go for public consultation in the near future, insisting that a proper discussion needs to take place on mass transport.