When you’ve given a contribution and your time is up, do not come back, is the way Prime Minister Robert Abela replied when asked about Jason Micallef’s plans to contest for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party.

Abela was replying to questions in an interview recorded Thursday but aired on Saturday. Micallef, a former PL secretary general, had hinted of his interest to contest the post of deputy leader for party affairs, an idea he confirmed on Friday. Micallef, a staunch supporter of Joseph Muscat, had served under Alfred Sant’s leadership.

Abela said the clock should not be turned back, although he paid tribute to Micallef’s contributions. If Micallef proceeds with his plans, then it will be up to the party delegates to decide, Abela said.

"You asked me about a specific person, but I think my reply counts in general, when your time is up and you've given your contribution, don't come back."

He said the role of party delegates is not just to think about elections but to keep the party going in the best interests of the country.

The party had to continue to increase its appeal to middle of the road voters, Abela said as spoke against adopting a siege mentality. "Every time in the past that the Labour Party closed itself up, it lost the election,” he said.

Asked whether Micallef would appeal to middle of the road voters, Abela replied that it was “up to the delegates to decide.” 

"What I can say is the same reply I gave you earlier, you cannot turn back the clock, you can only go forward," Abela said.