Three weeks into the election campaign, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday delivered a passionate, fiery speech to a massive crowd during a mass meeting on the Granaries in Floriana.

People had been gathering at the Granaries since 10am to participate in fundraising activities organised by the Labour Party that continued until 11pm.

By mid-afternoon, a huge crowd made up of thousands of Labour supporters had gathered, all waving flags and making their voices heard with the help of foghorns.

With a blast of foghorns, red balloons released in the air and flares giving off red smoke, Dr Sant took the stage – his opening words to the screaming crowd were “Choose Labour.”

When he referred to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, the crowd booed loudly. Dr Sant said that, in the last four years, the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector decreased by 1,500 and promised to create 2,000 jobs.

Tourism grew since Malta achieved independence but started to fall behind as soon as Dr Gonzi took over the government, he said.

“There is a minister who seems to be more interested in bringing over Russian dancers for his own personal shows instead of being interested in tourism,” he said, referring to Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech.

A Labour government will work towards an income of 1.5 billion euros and 1.6 million tourists coming to Malta, said Dr Sant.

Constantly referring to the prime minister as the “caretaker” or GonziPN, Dr Sant said a Labour government will work towards improving the country’s economy and removing corruption.

“They are not using what Malta has to its full potential – Choose Labour so that you will enjoy what we have,” he called out to the cheering crowd.

He referred to Buskett and said that it will be brought back to its original glory and told the screaming crowd that everything will be restored through Labour’s new plan.

Dr Sant said that there will be different development plans which are individualised for each locality.

Gozo will be promoted as a unique, and separate destination, to attract more tourists, he said. A Labour government will re-introduce a government subsidised helicopter service and the Gozitans will make tourists feel “privileged”.

The Opposition Leader said that the south of Malta will be given its due importance and he said that a Labour government will be committed to opening a new five star hotel – especially after the Jerma closed.

“We will be the enemy of bureaucracy, red tape and corruption,” said Dr Sant.

He also made a subtle reference to the recent University debate when he pointed out people might have another opinion but there is no need to boo them down.

He warned the police, teachers, parents, government employees, students, security and hospital employees because there are many lies.

“Listen to us – don’t believe them. On 8 March, Choose Labour,” he said along with the crowd.

The Opposition Leader told the crowd that the Labour Party always said the truth, and always will.

“Education will never be a political tool – we will always work in broad daylight, unlike the prime minister, who is working in the shadows – without consulting anyone,” he said.

“The caretaker prime minister, who claims to have a zero tolerance for corruption, is surrounded by corrupt ministers,” said Dr Sant.

Once again he appealed to the crowd to pass on the message that Labour keeps its promises and that they will always say the truth and concluded his speech saying “Choose Labour.”

In an emotional speech, MLP deputy leader Michael Falzon told a cheering crowd that a Labour government agrees with SmartCity but added that they want it for Maltese employees. He spoke about various cases of alleged corruption involving ministers and said that a Labour government will take care of the Maltese – of their stipends, jobs and futures.

Making use of the Nationalist Party’s election slogan (iva, kollox possibli), Dr Falzon said that everything is possible – but under a Labour government. He called on the crowd to remain calm and focused – to ignore any provocations and name calling by the Nationalist Party.

In his address, Deputy Leader Charles Mangion said that the Nationalist Party will make many promises and say many things about the MLP to frighten them from voting Labour.