“I will strive to earn your trust. I will always try to put your concerns and aspirations at the heart of what I do” – Gordon Brown

Last weekend, I was present when Gordon Brown became the new Labour Leader in Manchester, and on Wednesday I watched Gordon enter 10 Downing Street as the new British Prime Minister. It has been a really exciting and inspiring week for me. During the past years, I had the privilege of meeting Gordon on a number of occasions and I remember well an in-depth discussion I had with him last February at his office in London.

There is no doubt that Gordon has been a brilliant Chancellor, delivering economic stability, more jobs, a fairer deal for pensioners plus extra money for schools and hospitals.

I subscribe to what Prime Minister Gordon Brown said – that he wants to put the concerns and aspirations of the people at the heart of what he does. As Social Democrats our starting point should always be the concerns, struggles and rising aspirations of hard-working families.

What a realistic thought! Gordon has, directly and clearly, stated “this will be a new government with new priorities”.

Gordon’s priorities for Britain are the same for us Maltese. Priorities like making Britain number one for education, or making sure that the National Health Service earns the trust of patients and staff. I was delighted listening to Gordon’s commitment to more affordable housing, which I know from experience, is a big issue locally.

Like the Malta Labour Party, Gordon is committed to social justice at home and abroad, making sure that every child has the best start in life. Every child should have the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential, and that all children across the world have the chance of an adequate education.

So the priorities of Brown’s Labour Party and the Malta Labour Party for the future are: a stable economy, better schools and health services and a more secure life for our families. Let the work of change begin.

Dr Mifsud is international secretary of the Malta Labour Party