Animal Rights Commissioner Fleur Abela has confirmed plans to contest the general election as a Labour Party candidate.
Contacted for comment, Abela said that she had always stepped forward to serve when asked.
“My experience in public service has shown me that parliament can be a platform to bring about real and meaningful change for both people and animals,” she said.
Abela was made animal welfare commissioner last October- succeeding Alison Bezzina. She told Times of Malta that she continues to take her role very seriously and is “always putting animals first irrespective of politics”.
As animal welfare commissioner, Abela’s role is to act as the animal rights watchdog over the government.
“It is this experience (as commissioner) that makes me believe that, in taking this step and if I am given the trust to serve, I would be able to work with colleagues to deliver meaningful and tangible improvement,” she said.
A law graduate, Abela continued her studies at Queen Mary University in London. She is a specialist in civil law, family law and human rights and has worked on projects related to children and animal rights.
She is the daughter of retired judge and judiciary standards commissioner Toni Abela, formerly president of the PL.
Replying to questions Abela said that watching her father as she grew up taught her that “that public office — including politics — is about serving others, not about being served”.
Abela did not say which electoral district she has set her sights on.
Contacted for comment Labour Party CEO Leonid McKay said that the party is “spoilt for choice and will be presenting a strong line-up of candidates, which includes a number of new candidates”.
“The interest shown by individuals such as Dr Abela demonstrates that the party continues to attract candidates who embody Labour’s core values and who have the potential to deliver”.
He said the party’s Kummissjoni Kandidati has already evaluated and vetted a number of prospective candidates as part of an ongoing process.
“We are very encouraged by the considerable interest being shown, and the party is fortunate to be in a position where it has a wide choice of potential candidates,” he said.
