Dr Spiteri Bailey said that as a trade union man, he was concerned about employment and the manifesto of the European Popular Parties gives great importance to job creation. Dr Spiteri Bailey said that although the European Employment Strategy had achieved a measure of success there still was much more to be done in this area. He concluded by stating that two thirds of businesses in Europe were manned by small or medium sized entrepreneurs , so it was important to focus on that section of the economy to create wealth.

In a pompous and occasionally animated speech, Dr Emy Bezzina attacked both political parties for their hypocrisy and also blasted the Curia for its attitude to the public. Dr Bezzina said his party would be spreading the politics of pluralism and cosmopolitanism in the European Union. Dr Bezzina also criticised fiercely the nomination of Fr Joe Borg as chairman of the editorial board of Public Broadcasting Services and said his party would be registering a judicial protest against this appointment next week. He also ridiculed the PN’s constant statements on the EPP majority in the European Parliament.

Dr Roberta Tedesco Triccas said she was well-equipped to contest the forthcoming elections because of the intensive work she did in European politics. She said that young people have always been important in the European Parliament and that the average age of 50 in the EP should go down so that the youth sector would be better represented. She also mentioned the important work done on the Convention of the Future of Europe and also called for the creation of a new committee related specifically to youth in the new European Parliament.

In his speech, Robert Micallef said it was important that we work together to improve our conditions in the EU and stated that on principle, one must always look to better one’s situation. He also called for a national strategy to solve the country’s economic problems and said that work was not only done in the European Parliament but also in the various EU structures such as the Council of Ministers.

John Zammit said he had always supported those who were discriminated against in society and recalled his early support for the EU when everyone else in the Labour Party was against membership. Mr Zammit cited his experience with the British Labour Party and in Brussels and said he was a strong Mintoffian and no longer a Catholic. He pledged to fight for the universal rights of divorce, abortion and gay people in the EU.