The Labour Party will analyse the result of Saturday’s European Parliament election in detail in a bid to further understand what the people are really feeling, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
Addressing a press conference following the election of all six MEPs (one being an observer until Malta is allocated the sixth seat), four of whom are from the Labour Party, Dr Muscat said the PL will continue listening to the people, and not simply before an election.
“The people have entrusted us with a big responsibility, which we will carry, representing the population at large. But we know that there are also traditional Labourites who didn’t vote for us. We will continue trying to listen and understand people’s needs more,” he said.
The Labour leader said that while the result of Saturday’s election clearly showed that people are not happy with the situation at the moment, the PL will seek to interpret the way people voted, not just Labourites, and act accordingly without any “ifs and buts”.
This is the point of departure for the Labour Party, he said, adding that PL MEPs will be working together with the PN’s delegates in the national interest.
“One thing that people hardly have been talking about is that the economy shrank by three per cent in the first quarter, and this means that our quality of life will be undermined.”
He said the Labour Party is committed to come up with solutions, and not simply criticise. As he has done before, he said it is important to be optimistic, looking forward to a better day.
“Our committment is towards each and every one of you. We’re not running after your vote, but we want to try and understand what you’re really feeling,” insisted Dr Muscat.
The PL will be organising a fundrasing marathon at the party headquarters on Sunday, said the Labour leader, adding that everyone, not just PL faithful, is invited to attend and speak to Labour Party delegates and officials.
Asked about the popularity of the far right in this election, Dr Muscat said this could indicate that mainstream politics is not really listening to those who work on the frontline with migrants, and this issue definitely needs to be addressed.
As regards suggestions he will be giving to the Labour MEPs, Dr Muscat said he will be urging them to be closer to the Maltese (particularly by means of regional offices), rather than getting caught up in the technocratic system in Brussels, which hardly makes any sense to the people.