The Labour Party’s policy is based on the confidence it has in what Malta and the Maltese can produce and offer, Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Robert Abela said Saturday.
Addressing the party’s general conference, Abela said that it was this confidence in the people’s capabilities that led to the country;s progress. We created opportunities from challenges to push Malta forward, he said.
He urged the opposition to support a government motion allowing doctors to terminate a pregnancy when a woman's life is at risk. The amendment was proposed after a resuest by an American tourist to terminate a non-viable pregrancy was refused by the health authorities. She was eventually flown to Spain for the procedure to take place.
Abela said that for many years the State had failed to provide the legal framework for such situations. He said the amendments will ensure that medical professionals will be able to do what is necessary to protect a pregnant woman's life.
These amendments will also protect mothers from prosecution in such cases, Abela said.
He said the party had promised a discussion on euthanasia, but the opposition had immediately expressed itself agains the idea.
The Opposition always shoots down major reforms, it sweeps people’s pains under the carpet. It is not even ready to hold a discussion, Abela said.
The people know where they stand with the Labour Party, and they know what the party believes in. This is why the people have chosen “the project we have for Malta”. We continue to move forward because we are the party of change, he said.
He added he wants to see the PL as the party of reforms, because the people want it to be the catalyst of change. Reforms can never stop as there are situations to which we cannot turn our backs. This is the difference between the PL and other parties – the PL understands, empathises, listens and finally decides, he said.
The PL will continue to endorse the principle of social justice, because reforms and social justice go hand in hand.
The party has 1,000 proposals to implement and to do so we need everyone’s help. Everyone is invited to bring up fresh ideas, and to give a contribution.
We have a bright future because we have confidence in the country. We want to help businessmen to invest, to take care of the elderly, and enable youngsters to fulfil their dreams. We are the party of reforms, social justice, and aspirations, Abela said.
During the conference, the party elected its executive council. The elected members are:
Yana Debono Grech, Ray Azzopardi, Guza Cassar, Ray Falzon, Jason Farrugia, Monica Farrugia, Ray Mizzi, Raymond Azzopardi, Noel Cassar, Christian Attard, Nikhail Karl Spiteri u Frederick Cutajar.