Anglu Farrugia to run...unless Sant is uncontested

The Labour Party leadership race has taken a new twist in what is becoming an increasingly complicated situation, with delegates supporting Anglu Farrugia saying he will "definitely run" for the post once a contest is being held.

Only if Labour leader Alfred Sant is uncontested, which is unlikely as John Attard Montalto has openly declared he will contest, will Dr Farrugia not run, sources close to the party said.

Previously, delegates had interpreted Dr Farrugia's intention as being that he would not contest if Dr Sant was doing so. It now emerges that in a two-horse race he would definitely add his name to the candidates.

Delegates said Dr Farrugia was being very clear about his intentions and about how the party should be led.

One of the delegates said the party needed a leader who would unite all the "factions" and help enlarge the party by removing all the "cliques", which Dr Farrugia was promising to do.

Dr Farrugia is also telling delegates he is prepared to make "a clean sweep where needed" and to re-introduce discipline within the party, the sources said.

The sources said he was also telling delegates the people had taken their decision on the EU issue and that the decision had to be respected. But he was promising to work to ensure that neutrality and other constitutional issues are dealt with both in parliament and within the EU institutions.

A possible candidate for the post of deputy leader for parliamentary affairs if Dr Farrugia becomes leader is Marie Louise Coleiro , the sources said. She has served as party general secretary for 12 years.

The delegates also said that if Dr Sant were uncontested, Dr Farrugia would be "prepared to stay in the party" and work towards the needed reforms.

Other sources said George Abela was still keeping his options open about whether to contest or not. GWU officials and members as well as MPs and party officials are still urging him to make a bid to become leader.

Some party delegates are also urging international secretary Michael Falzon to run for the post.

It was already known that Dr Falzon and Charles Mangion had teamed up and were showing their intention to contest the two deputy leader posts. Over the past few days, however, pressure has been put on Dr Falzon to aim for the top post.

Evarist Bartolo is also known to be interested in leading the party and has been canvassing among delegates. Many feel he is being backed by Dr Sant.

All the contenders are however handicapped by Dr Sant's uncertain position. He had initially declared he would not be contesting but is now "reconsidering" his decision after appeals were made for him to stay.

Dr Sant recently said he would make his intentions clear by May 10, the day when nominations for the post close.

Nominations open on May 8 and the election will be held on May 15.

The election for deputy leaders will take place a week later.

Alfred Mifsud yesterday confirmed to The Times he intended running for the post of deputy leader for party affairs. Sources said there were indications party president Manwel Cuschieri too might be interested in the post.

Leo Brincat is also known to be interested in the post of deputy leader for parliamentary affairs.

The current deputy leaders, George Vella and Joe Brincat, have reserved the right to contest their posts or others within the party.

The sources said many names were being mentioned but while some had a genuine interest in contesting "others are deliberately trying to block others. Everyone is keeping options open at this stage".

The sources said it was still not clear whether the leadership issue will actually be tackled on May 15 or whether the decision will be postponed to January, when the party administration is due to be changed or reaffirmed.

Some feel it is unlikely that the matter will be postponed.

"What is the scope of convening a meeting to postpone the decision? Nominations are about to open. It would be a waste of time if this happened," the sources said.

The statute speaks of the need to confirm or change the leader. The sources said that although the party statute laid down that a general conference had to be convened after a general election, no timeframes were given. But the practice was that such a conference was called soon.