On 24 May, the citizens of Malta and Gozo get to voice their opinion in European Parliamentary elections. You will have a selection of candidates to choose between.

The European Parliament is a very important institution since it is the voice of the citizen. In fact, voices of more than 500 million citizens in the European Union are represented by 751 members of the European Parliament.

Malta is represented by 6 members: not a small voice for a small country. I believe that we can really make an impact in the European Parliament and, as time goes by, achieve a more central role in the implementation of European Union policies in sectors of crucial importance for Malta and Gozo.

On behalf of the Labour Party, I am putting forward my candidature for your choice. I assure you that if you give me your trust, I shall act directly as your voice.

In so many areas, whether irregular immigration, employment, education, environment and natural resources, social politics, healthcare, finance tax, the cost of living and entrepreneurship or digital innovation, we need somebody who will defend and promote the interests and welfare of Maltese and Gozitan families.

It is important to continue nurturing and creating high quality jobs for Maltese and Gozitan workers by increasing investment and wealth in Malta.

Citizens are led by example.  Our Prime Minster, Joseph Muscat, gave us a clear, strong and determinate example of how we need to operate within European institutions. We need to be strong to achieve the best results for Malta. Unfortunately, the Nationalist Party has done a lot of damage in the European Parliament. They worked intensively against national interests in the vote taken on the citizenship scheme. Conversely, our objective is to work hard to attract new investment and to increase wealth and prosperity in Malta and Gozo.

I chose to submit my name to the list of candidates of the Labour Party after many months of thinking about how I could best serve the party and my country. And after a long discussion with those who are closest to me, especially my wife, I decided it would be right to contest the European Parliament elections.

I have been active in the Labour Party for many years. I contributed actively to the Labour Party through my work in the media especially journalism and broadcasting.

I was part of the change that the Maltese and Gozitan people voted for in last year’s general election. And exactly because I was part of that change, today I understand more than ever the progressive project that is the Labour Party in Government: a project to return our country to its people in a much better state than we found it in March 2013.

Everyone needs to help for this aim to be achieved. If we all help, fundamental change can happen.

The election being held in May is a very important but also very difficult election for the Labour Party. It is taking place at the start of a new government, righting injustices after spending virtually all of the previous 26 years in opposition. I know some of you would like to see change happening faster, but I invite you to understand the scale of the task. The programme of the Labour Party will be implemented, but it cannot be implemented overnight.

Change is a process and the European Parliament election is an important element in this process.

Let us discuss and speak further in the days to come. Let us understand the exciting moments waiting ahead of us.

The Labour Party needs people with energy and determination who will help the project of ‘Malta Taghna lkoll’.

I give you my word that in the coming years, I and Labour Members of Parliament will work incessantly for all Maltese and Gozitan families. 

You will have a crucial role in the elections of the European Parliament. This coming May, do not let others choose for you. This coming May, vote for all the Labour Party candidates.

Charlon Gouder is contesting the MEP elections on the Labour Party ticket