Labour postpones debate on EU Constitution

The annual general conference of the Malta Labour Party convenes next week but contrary to expectations it will not be debating the stand the party should take on the European Constitution.

Deputy leader Michael Falzon told a news conference yesterday the party would be assessing the current situation in the country, stating what it stood for and presenting its vision of the future.

Three motions are being presented to the conference - two by the executive and one by the 10th district. One of the motions is on local government, the others on social and economic revival. But the European Constitution is not on the agenda.

Dr Falzon said when asked that the party was working on two studies on the EU Constitution and it would be considering its position in the future.

John Attard Montalto, the head of the Maltese Labour members of the European Parliament, had told The Times in November that the fact that his party had not yet taken a position on the European Constitution had created a difficult situation for them. He had said then that they would have to wait until January 16, the last day of the party's general conference, to learn the party's stand on the Constitution.

Asked when the party was expected to take a stand, Dr Falzon said it was considering the issue and would take its decision when it felt the time was right. Other issues were much more pressing at the moment, he said.

He added there were countries which had been members of the EU for a long time and were only taking a position following referendums to be held towards the end of this or next year.

Asked what the party would do if a vote on the European Constitution were taken in Parliament before Labour had taken an official stand, Dr Falzon insisted it would consider the issue in due time.

Last month, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi decided to postpone the vote in Parliament on the Constitution in order to give the MLP more time to make up its mind. The government had previously planned to conclude the ratification process by the end of last year.

When a vote on the Constitution was taken by the Socialist Group in the European Parliament last November, Labour's group had not participated because their party had no official stand, making them the only Socialist MEPs not to do so. The French Socialists had abstained in the vote because they had not yet adopted a position but they have since voted in favour.

Next week's general conference, on January 13, 14 and 16, will elect the 10 members of the party executive. Twenty persons are contesting.

The party executive's motion on economic and social revival speaks about the country's rising unemployment, lack of competitiveness and lack of economic expansion, the increase in taxes and the lack of investment. It points out that this situation is harming the weaker sectors of society.

The conference is being requested to condemn the Nationalist government for "deceiving" the people for years and for continuing with its "mistaken" policies with regard to taxes, debt and expenditure.

Another motion calls for a general conference by mid-year to adopt a strategic plan for the country's economic and social revival. This plan would continue to be updated according to circumstances and social democratic principles.

The 10th district's motion calls on delegates to agree that the MLP should give the Maltese and Gozitans the social protection they need and deserve.

In the motion on local government, the MLP is called upon to boost its efforts to increase the commitment and political energy of councils in the best interests of people and families.