Speaking during a political activity in Hamrun, Dr Sant the MLP will be doing its best to show the Maltese people that there is an alternative direction the country could be taking rather than the one chosen by the Nationalist government.

He said the plan on the country’s economic and social regeneration had to be devised according to the country’s needs and not on a set model.

He said that during the past weeks the party commissioned a number of experts to draw up the basis of such a plan. This is expected to be published later on this week.

Dr Sant said the report will not only be published in the party’s internal structures but also outside, with all those who want to have a say on this subject. He said this report was only one of the initiatives the party was taking in order to continue protecting the interests of the Maltese and Gozitan workers and their families.

Dr Sant also dedicated part of his speech to the issue of local councils. He said that while the government decreased the councils’ budgets by five per cent, service providers were warning the councils that they had to increase their tariffs due to increasing costs, especially that of fuel.

He said the MLP was organising a congress in October for all Labour councillors. During this meeting, the councillors elected on behalf of the party will be able to discuss their individual council’s problems and draw up a solution on the matter.

Dr Sant also spoke about the Lm9 million spent on a building in Brussels which will house Malta’s embassy there. He said that this building was purchased by a group of people who “scratch each other’s backs”.

He said the most important thing about the building is its location because for Richard Cachia Caruana - Malta’s representative in Brussels - to go to the European Commission, all he has to do is cross the road!

Dr Sant also spoke about the Lm20 million profit announced by HSBC Bank adding that if Mid Med Bank had not been sold to HSBC, these profits would have all remained in Malta.

Dr Sant concluded by saying that the MLP will continue building on the achievements of the past and will continue showing the Maltese electorate that there really is an alternative to the Nationalist government. He said the MLP will continue defending the interests of all Maltese workers, youths and the elderly, adding that the party is urging people to join it to draw up a better future.