The Labour Party yesterday published what is being referred to as a “Plan for a new start” (Pjan ghal Bidu Gdid), which is the fruit of an extensive four-year consultation process with more than 300 entities from the social, economic and cultural sectors.

Speaking at the launch of the 648-page publication in Valletta, Labour leader Alfred Sant explained that more than 2,000 hours of discussion sessions were held during the process leading to the completion of the publication.

Dr Sant explained that the plan was based on a proactive strategy that included parts of original documents as drafted by the party. However, they were modified according to suggestions, comments and recommendations made by the various entities with whom the MLP consulted.

He said certain parts of the plan had to be changed because some of Labour’s original proposals were adopted by the current government. In fact the recently-published pre-Budget document includes about 29 measures, which Dr Sant referred to as having been “cut and paste(d)” from the Labour Party’s proposals.

The Labour leader expressed satisfaction that this had happened, particularly since the Labour Party’s plans had been criticised as being empty and with no substance.

Dr Sant insisted that the plan was not the Labour Party’s electoral manifesto for the general election; rather, it provided for solid foundations upon which the manifesto will be built, so a few tangible measures included in the plan would also form part of the manifesto.

These included, among others, the MLP’s commitment to cut the surcharge on utility bills by half, as well as its commitment to regenerate the St Paul’s Bay-Bugibba tourist zone.

In the coming weeks the Labour Party would also be announcing details of its plan for the social and economic development of the Grand Harbour.

Dr Sant referred to the change that the MLP wanted to base its strategy upon as being “calm and reasoned”.

The Labour Party’s strategy points in three directions – economic, social and the third that is focused on the need to improve the public service that the government is responsible for.

Economically, said Dr Sant, it was crucial for the country to reach real economic growth of between four and five per cent annually in order to improve its competitive edge.

Referring to tourism, Dr Sant stressed the need to improve the country’s product. The Labour Party’s aim was to increase the number of tourists to 1.6 million within the next four to five years and to increase the annual income from tourism to Lm620 million (EUR1.44 billion).

Dr Sant also spoke about the need to provide a similar strong stimulus for the manufacturing sector. Making reference to the IT, financial and maritime services sectors, the Labour leader said the MLP wanted to provide a flexible framework that allowed for constant amendments to the law and systems of taxation, together with advanced training opportunities.

Before concluding, Dr Sant stressed the Labour Party’s main principles upon which it planned to improve the country’s administrative system – transparency, accountability and efficiency.

Speaking about the electoral manifesto, the Labour leader said the document will include a list of priorities and the party’s plan for change will be changed into a government working plan.