After the latest electoral debacle in Malta, the third in a row, I have been approached by various exponents to contest for the post of Leader of the Malta Labour party. Because of my relatively young age of 34 and the fact that I had just become a father again, I asked for a time of reflection. At the time of writing, I am still an MEP within the PES Group.

I have now decided to put forward my name as an official candidate for this post. I was humbled by the overwhelming encouragement I have and am still receiving.

I did this primarily out of conviction that the Labour party can still be positive a force for change. In Malta there is a whole generation that has never experienced a progressive social democratic party in government. Indeed, the Labour party has been out of office since 1987 bar a brief period between 1996 and 1998. In this context, change is steadily becoming an urgent necessity following this long streak of right-wing conservative rule.

To achieve this change, however, we need the left to be united. It is my dream to see the left in Malta united in one wide movement. This is perhaps my foremost promise and vision for the Labour party. A positive, organised and forward-looking party that goes beyond the confines of the party itself, which forms the basis for a wider movement embracing all progressives and moderates together. It’s not easy, particularly in the context of Maltese politics as it is, but I am convinced we can do it.

We have to bring together all progressives who cherish social democratic values be they labourites, socialists, left-wing intellectuals, social pressure groups, NGOs and all those who find it natural to identify themselves with the Labour party. We have to create a space for them all, as well as creating the necessary openness for all moderates who wish to join and participate in this movement.

But for this to happen, we need to revamp the party itself. We need to have the courage to change and start thinking differently. It is along these lines I put forward my vision for the Labour party of today and tomorrow. We need a set of objectives that clearly show that we can change and indeed allow for change to happen. We need a set of proposals that are intended to beef up the party with various new structures not only made up of people from within the party itself, but which place it as the fulcrum of this wide movement of progressives and moderates, young and old.

Together with our European Socialist partners, we must strive to socialize the forces of globalization. To this extent, while embracing free trade and encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit, we have to reaffirm that which defines us: our social compassion. The helping hand of the government should be ever present. Our common challenges should be the pursuit for full employment and the creation of the knowledge society.

We should be active leaders in the fight for civil liberties which adequately reflect present social realities. Furthermore the left as a movement must appropriate the green agenda. Sustainability has to become the foundation of all our pursuits.

This movement is my dream and vision. The left remains strong in Malta, but stronger it will become if we have the courage to unite and dream.