In June, the Malta Labour Party will publish a document with a plan for the regeneration of Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay, Labour Leader Alfred Sant said yesterday.

Addressing party supporters at a discussion meeting in St Paul’s Bay, Dr Sant said the Labour Party is preparing a plan in order to give this important tourist area a much-needed breath of fresh air. He said the area was abandoned by the government and as a result three-star hotels are closing down and the shops in the area are not doing well.

Dr Sant said that as from April, the MLP will start consultation meetings in order to draw up this plan which it would then implement once it returns to power following the next general election.

The Labour leader also reacted to comments of fellow party supporters who are wondering why the party was publishing its plans at such an early stage. “If the government wants to implement any of the proposals put forward by the MLP, once we are in government, we will find some of the work already done. But (Prime Minister) Lawrence Gonzi’s government does not have the will and the capability to implement MLP’s proposals,” he said.

Dr Sant also spoke about the millions of liri which are being wasted in a number of capital projects, especially those involving roadwork. He said this wastage is the direct result of lack of effective and proper planning.

He said that although Dr Gonzi keeps blowing his trumpets on how the local economy is improving, the large majority of Malta and Gozitan families are not of the same opinion and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. He said the MLP can and will make a difference in people’s lives.

Referring to the EU’s 50th birthday celebrations, Dr Sant said that the MLP is the political party in Malta which has endorsed the main values of the European Union – democracy, equality and tolerance. On the future of Europe, he said the party was participating in discussions with the European Socialist Party to ensure that the social aspect remains important for the European Union.

The meeting was also addressed by Labour Deputy Leader Charles Mangion as well as MPs Evarist Bartolo and Joe Cuschieri.