Updated: Labour’s marathon conference kicks off

(Adds deputy leader's address)

The Labour Party’s general conference kicked off this evening at the start of a 10-day marathon intended to put in place the political groundwork for the creation of a movement of “progressives and moderates”.

Of note is the absence of the words ‘Labour Party’ in the background where emphasis was placed on the words ‘A new movement for a better country’, the party’s rallying call since Joseph Muscat’s election as leader.

However, ironically, the conference started with the Labour Party’s traditional anthem that invokes its roots as a workers’ party.

The conference kicked off with the usual formalities and a video highlighting the work conducted by the party in the past year.

Party president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi presented the main motion under discussion, which is a list of principles that would define the new movement.

Deputy leader Toni Abela kick-started the debate on the programmatic motion tonight, insisting the party had to change to reflect the aspirations of today’s society.

The party had to stop talking only about workers and widen its vision to defend also those who invested to create jobs.

“We ask investors and businessmen to observe workers’ rights and they will find us four square behind them,” he said.

Drawing a distinction between conservative and progressive politics, Dr Abela insisted the Labour movement believed in an economy that served as a tool to be used at the service of the people.

Dr Abela said the motion to create a movement of progressives and moderates was calling for a mentality change.

The conference would also be discussing various amendments to the party statute, the more important one being the removal of the general secretary’s post to be replaced with the non-elective post of secretary to the executive.

Most of the discussions will be held in fringe meetings with each workshop then presenting its conclusions to the plenary.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100129/local/micallef-talks-of-pain-and-loyalty