Our road map was compiled after listening to ideas expressed by all sectors of Maltese society. It has been embraced by an impressive variety of people consisting of professionals in all sectors, employees, people with a disability, youth and the elderly. Everyone has come together so that we can make a significant difference to the Malta brand and to the quality of our life. The aim is to enhance levels of individual and collective pride and achievement. 

Our political manifesto is based on what can be achieved in an effective and cost-efficient manner. The singular vision that drives our manifesto is that Malta belongs to us all, not to a handful of individuals forming an oligarchic cabal close to the heart of the few and distant from everyone else. This is a major shift in direction that will benefit all, especially the creative and energetic, and all those ready to face the challenges ahead with enthusiasm, honesty and purpose.

A new direction must include the rationalization of bureaucracy in order to liberate business from costly and unnecessary burdens. We need to gradually transform our economy to provide better quality jobs that reward individuals and families. This can be achieved through a coalition of honest employers and employees in all economic sectors. This change can only happen if the government is committed to the objectives it sets.

The grand bureaucracy favoured by the PN government has been responsible for our slow economic pace and failure to achieve growth levels. Decisions must be efficient and holistic in ensuring timely and qualitative decisions. We must expand this pro-wealth creation culture to open opportunities for women. Real growth can only be achieved with more active female participation. The creation of jobs will therefore be complemented with investment in childcare centres, together with other family friendly measures and various tax incentives.

We strongly believe that our future success also depends on a higher participation of students in the education process. We still lag seriously behind other countries in the number of students who pursue a tertiary education. There is no simple solution but we must make improvements because a number of students leave school at too early a stage of the education process.

Success must also be gauged by lowering the number of families hovering on the poverty line. A nation of 400,000 cannot accept that 80,000 people, and the numbers keep growing, are at risk of poverty. We believe in a just society that offers opportunities for the active, and support for those who are going through difficult times. The government must also ensure that it is not the main culprit that is making life difficult for so many because of its own corruption, inefficiencies and incompetence.

Our manifesto has produced a road map that can achieve so much more through diligent spending. Social justice is also based on the provision of security to the old, infirm and disabled. Our policies will seek to provide these people with the highest possible levels of independence that is underpinned by a high level of health care that responds to the specific needs of individuals.

Economic and social success depends on initiatives to stimulate economic growth in sectors such as the manufacturing and services sectors, including the tourism, financial and maritime sectors.

Success also depends on honest endeavour which is why we commit ourselves to a Whistleblower Act and more transparency in all decision making processes to ensure that any future misdeeds will be better scrutinized and unearthed so that the perpetrators will be brought to book without fear or favour.

We shall build on existing skill bases to ensure that our health sector provides better results in shorter time spans. Waiting lists must be addressed and tackled.

Our nation must benefit from the highest levels of environmental standards. We are committed to close the Marsa power station and end the use of Heavy Fuel Oil. This can happen with the implementation of our energy plan.

In tandem with these initiatives, our electoral manifesto includes a long list of initiatives to ensure implementation. We believe that we can be successful if given the opportunity to govern.

The Labour plan is for a unified country that is proud and determined, a country where opportunities are created and accessible to all. This is the new direction we offer. Our road map forges the way forward.

Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi is the president of the Labour Party