A Labour administration will undertake a thorough review of the present local warden system, Labour leader Alfred Sant promised yesterday.

Dr Sant was speaking at a press conference during which the final version of the party’s vision on local councils was presented.

Dr Sant claimed the wardens were being used as tax collectors who are blackmailed if they do not issue enough tickets.

He also claimed that most of the revenue from the ticketing system goes to a restricted circle of the few commercial companies which lead the market. A more centralised system, akin to that the police have, Dr Sant argued, would be more equitable and based on common sense.

The main aim of the local warden system should be to educate citizens and teach them to obey the regulations.

Government must provide local councils with more funds and also ensure that such funds are being used well. However, the party is against the councils introducing local taxes or rates.