Labour leader Alfred Sant called on all people of good will to join Labour in government after the next election and work for change in the country. Speaking in Gzira, Dr Sant said Labour in government would implement a huge plan with a series of priorities in answer to people’s aspirations.

Over the years, Labour had worked unceasingly so that, after a prolonged process of consultation, it could draw up proposals for all sectors of the country’s management. It wanted to meet people’s aspirations, and the family and children would be at the centre of its activities.

Dr Sant said those sectors that could create jobs would be given an impetus and Labour would see that the wealth created would be distributed fairly. In the social sectors, the priorities would be education, health, the environment and the elderly. At the same time, the social services framework would be modernised. This would be followed by a real reform of the pensions sector.

Labour would work to give the country a new beginning but it could not do this by itself, which was why it was calling on all those of goodwill to join it.

Deputy leader Michael Falzon recalled that the Nationalist Party had failed to keep its promise to move in parliament an agreement that had been reached last November regarding electoral system reforms.

Ms Marie Louise Coleiro Preca spoke about Labour’s intention to give back to the elderly residents of St Vincent de Paul home the dignity they had lost. The residents there had most of their pension withheld by the government but they were not in return receiving proper service, such as adequate food, air-conditioning and medicines.

Dr Michael Farrugia said the waiting list for surgical operations was twice as long as it was five years ago, and three times as long as in 1998. Labour would create a budget so that each year the list would be reduced by 15 per cent.