The upcoming election is not one where whoever promises the most wins, but an election on who will deliver what they promise, and the Labour Party will deliver what it promises, Robert Abela said on Friday. 

“May 30 is a moment that will define this country, and do not let anyone dare diminish the importance of the choice that is before us,” the Prime Minister said.

“We know how we will deliver these promises, we know how much it will cost, and we have the credibility, a competent team and the responsibility to deliver all promises.”

Abela was addressing the party’s general conference under the theme ‘Int Malta-Il-Ħolma Tiegħek, Il-Futur Tagħna’. During the event, Abela unveiled the party’s electoral manifesto, which features more than 1,000 points across 24 chapters.

The manifesto was approved during the conference. 

Addressing the crowd, Abela said the manifesto is a product of the people’s ideas and suggestions and is a clear and forward vision for the country and its people. 

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“We know where we want to take our country, we know the challenges we face, and we will not run away from them,” he said. 

He said the party, unlike others, has a manifesto with specific targets, and is aware of not just how much they will cost, but how they will affect the individual.

“There is a difference between those who have a vision and those who have a hotchpotch of proposals, who fire blindly in the hope of hitting something,” he added. 

He added how, from the first day of the campaign, the Labour Party set out with a clear plan and is a movement guided by the value of social justice. 

“A progressive Labour Party plans to ensure that everyone, whoever they are and where they start from, moves forward in society.”

‘Contract renewal’

Abela described the manifesto as a “contract” which he asked to renew with society, and added how the public knew the worth of the party and that it delivers what it promises. He said the party is distinguished by three factors, its credibility, competence, and responsibility. 

“We have the credibility to deliver what we promise, the competence that you know what we are proposing, we will carry out, and the responsibility to ensure this country is on the right path without leaving anyone behind,” he added.

“I ask you to see if you can find the same qualities in any other political group in our country right now?”

“We have a track record, while others have empty promises. We are a strong team compared to those who cannot even add the sums of their own proposals. We are responsible because we build on the foundations we have created, unlike those who promise recklessly. After all, their politics is ‘we will see what happens tomorrow’.”

Abela said the party will be there for every step of an individual’s life, from helping families by extending maternity and paternity leave, by extending first-time buyers’ schemes to people undergoing separation, and by providing a €1,000 grant to Erasmus students. 

“We will be with you every step of the way,” Abela said.

He said that today the world and its priorities have changed, and the manifesto focuses on every individual and their needs. 

He called on supporters to help him push the party’s message and to convince society to approve the manifesto.

“The ship has yet to enter the port, and we have a lot more rowing to do, but I am convinced that the choice has never been as clear as it is today,” he added. 

“Are you ready to be with me to take this country to the next level? To take another step forward to improve your lives? Ready to make sure our country continues to have the best economy in Europe?”

He concluded his speech by stating that the manifesto is for everyone and belongs to everyone. 

Do not get lost in the noise of politics

Speaking during the conference, at one point, Alex Sciberras directly addressed the youths in the crowd. 

“I understand you might question whether politics is important, and it is easy to get lost in the noise, and fear that nothing will change,” he said.

Yet, he said, it is not the case when it comes to the Labour Party, which just this week officially returned Manoel Island to the public. 

“Many believed it was a lost cause, but we did not give up and showed the people we can make a difference,” he said. 

He also mentioned how it was a “shame” that a young candidate faced abuse simply because of his surname, referring indirectly to PL candidate Omar Rababah, who faced a torrent of racist abuse across social media. 

“We judge someone not by their surname, but how much they love their country,” he said. 

Friday’s event saw several speakers, including Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who will not be contesting in the upcoming election and political analyst and former trade unionist Jeremy Camilleri.