The Malta Labour Party has a new leader. Dr Joseph Muscat has taken over from Alfred Sant at a crucial time for the party, after its three election defeats, not to mention the loss at the European Union referendum.

Dr Muscat has a tough challenge ahead of him. He is still euphoric after the victory but he will soon realise that the bed of roses he is lying upon now is full of thorns. There will be people within the party who will work against him, and there will be many others from the outside who will try to dampen his enthusiasm and kill his vision.

Dr Muscat may be considered as being politically young, at 34, to take on such a mammoth task. Others who were more mature have failed in their task. Yet I do believe that Dr Muscat will be a strong leader, one who will not be afraid to take the tough decisions that he will be confronted with.

I wish him all the best in his new role. And, if I am permitted a piece of advice, I urge him to be careful. Not all those who are smiling at him and patting him on the back are to be considered as friends.

Anna Sammut

Birkirkara