A big majority of Labour Party delegates yesterday voted against a proposal to change the party's statute to allow paid-up members to vote for the new party leader on June 5.
The result showed 165 votes for the motion and 620 against. There were 793 eligible votes, one abstention and seven invalid ballots.
The five contenders for the leadership post - George Abela, Joseph Muscat, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Michael Falzon and Evarist Bartolo - attended yesterday's extraordinary general meeting at the party headquarters in Ħamrun.
The motion was proposed by newly-elected MP Marlene Pullicino who, opening the hour-long debate, said the motion is a fresh idea which will show the party is really renewing itself following three consecutive electoral defeats. She insisted that the idea to allow paid-up members to choose the leader had been discussed before.
This time, however, it held greater significance because 122 delegates had voted in favour of a petition for this motion to be discussed.
"I believe in inclusivity. We will be setting the example for other parties around the world. This change would also lead to unity within the party.
"When were Labourites ever scared of change? The aim is to have a strong leader who will lead us to a victory to get the PN out of office. Use your minds and not your hearts," she said, as grunts by those opposing the motion continued to spread.
The conference was addressed by eight delegates. Four spoke in favour of the motion and the rest against. Those in favour were constantly disturbed by murmuring and comments from the floor while those who spoke against were met with a deafening applause.
Local Councils' Association president Michael Cohen and Tarxien mayor Paul Farrugia were the strongest speakers against the motion.
They were the ones who had proposed amendments to the original motion but withdrew them so that the voting would be "more plain sailing".
Mr Cohen and Mr Farrugia, who were both welcomed with applause, said that it was logistically impossible for the MLP's electoral commission to organise an election for 19,000 members in only 27 days.
Mr Cohen said he respected the party members, adding it was the delegates who suffered legislature after legislature and, in the past, delegates had taken the important decisions.
"I urge delegates to vote against the motion and if we need to change the statute, we can do it at our own pace. There is a process to elect the leadership and we should apply that process," he said.
Mr Farrugia said delegates are elected by the party members and the delegates vote on their behalf. He proposed that party members should be involved in discussions on party policies.
KullĦadd journalist Aleander Balzan said those who proposed the motion only started the campaign after the general election and that Dr Pullicino is isolated.
In the past decisions were always taken by the delegates, he said.
Joe Fsadni said that if the motion was approved, the party would lose its direction.
"Let us vote against it. Otherwise we will be washing our hands from the responsibility, like Pontius Pilate did of Christ," he said.
The speakers in favour of the motion included David Caruana, who is assisting George Abela in his campaign.
He urged delegates to back the motion because other decisions taken in the past such as allowing females to vote during the general conference were as courageous as this one.
Duncan Mifsud and Darlene Zerafa also spoke in favour, saying this was the golden opportunity for the MLP to show that it is really starting to renew itself.
Ms Zerafa said the MLP needed to approve the motion which was a new and fresh idea.
"Everyone is valid and everyone can contribute to the party and its future, including members. Hearing that members are not part of the party disgusts me," she said. MLP president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi chaired the conference, during which former leader Alfred Sant, who was not present, was given a standing ovation.