“There is a need for a change in the leadership of our country,” insisted Malta Labour Party Leader Alfred Sant as MLP flags rose from the crowd before him yesterday.
The Opposition Leader was addressing the rally held at the party headquarters in celebration of the MLP victory in last Saturday’s local council election. People crammed into the hall and the crowd even spilt out into the corridors as they all craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the speakers on the podium.
“Love us or hate us – we tell the truth,” declared the party leader. He said that unlike the Nationalist Party, the MLP is close to the people and plans to remain that way. “The reality of the country is not the statistics quoted by the government. The people and their families have to deal with the burdens of the surcharge and unemployment – this is the true situation the MLP aims to improve,” continued Dr Sant.
He said that unfulfilled promises are the PN government’s biggest downfall. “The people have been fed empty promises. The result of last Saturday’s election is a clear message to the government. The public feels tricked and this is now evident,” declared the MLP leader.
Dr Sant said in January this year, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi claimed that over half of the Denim Company workers who were laid off had been re-employed. However, he said that an answer to a parliamentary question revealed that only 320 of the former 800 Denim Company employees had found work.
He said: “The people want a change because they have had enough of this government.
“The party will build on existing success, resolve problems and promote unity for the greater good of Malta,” said Dr Sant. He said that MLP will work to generate employment, and to improve social protection and dignity and concluded that these are the keys to future success.
Deputy MLP leaders Charles Mangion and Michael Falzon also addressed the crowded hall yesterday.
Dr Falzon said that year after year, the party is growing consistently, and the electoral victories are testimony to this. He added that everyone is welcome to join the MLP because it a real party that will always remain grounded.
He said that the result of Saturday’s local council election shows that residents in all localities have lost faith in the PN and therefore lost faith in the government. “The PN is insensitive and arrogant and the people have clearly shown they are uncomfortable with this kind of leadership,” Dr Falzon said.
In his speech, Dr Mangion said that the responsibility to keep the promises made, now falls to those who have been elected. “It is now up to them to uphold the fact that the MLP keeps its promises,” he said. The deputy leader said the MLP local councillors must work together and stay in touch with the people.
“It is our time to show that we have answers to the challenges Malta is facing,” continued Dr Mangion. Like Dr Sant, Dr Mangion said the party will work to create employment and improve social protection and said that these elements are vital for the MLP’s success in the next general election.
All three speakers thanked everyone involved in the MLP local council election campaign. They said that without the hard work of the candidates and whole team supporting them, the result of the election would not have been successful.