
Labour leader Joseph Muscat said on Thursday morning that the theme of the first ever national congress meeting between the 14 and 23 September will be ‘A future that unites us’ and will discuss topics ranging from business, Gozo’s central role and its future, an open government, the elderly’s quality of life, health, family, equality and civil liberties to fight social exclusion, economy, education, to a just society and youths. On 22 September the Labour leader will address a mass meeting at Ta’ Qali.
Labour president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said the congress will be an opportunity for the members to propose ideas and policies for the party's electoral manifesto.
Muscat said the congress would re-inforce the party’s determination “to look towards a future that unites us away from a past that divides we and we will face the challenges of this country as one nation.”
Muscat said the party wants Malta to be the best in the EU.
In his press conference Muscat also criticized the Co-habitation Bill as homophobic and distanced himself from the comments posted on Facebook by former Labour Minister Joe Grima against the contents of an obituary published in ‘The Catholic Herald’ by Fr Lucie Smith. He called Grima’s comments "totally unacceptable".
Grima said on Facebook: "I read your article Fr Lucie-Smith and your comments about Dom Mintoff. Do you want to have mine? Certainly. F*** you Father. If you're not already used to it there are enough paedophiles (sic) in your clan to show you the ropes."
John P Busuttil
- Thu 30-Aug-2012, 15:41It is with pleasure to read how professional the New Labour Movement is adressing political, social and financial aspects which have been dumped into a graveyard by the present administration.
On the other hand, I can not but agree with Dr Muscat in labelling as "totally unacceptable" the unwanted comments of Joe Grima. Am sure that Joe felt offended as most of the maltese did, but am sure that there were more polite and convincing methods of rebutting to the accusations of FR Lucie-Smith. Joe had the best opportunity of communicating the intellegent and prudent way that the local Church wanted to close the Mintoff/Church dark chapter. Let it be each and everyone of us to build this New Movement with a difference. We need to be distinugished by the way we think and act.