Abela stood strong in face of tsunami of international pressures, Agius Saliba says

PL deputy leaders urge unity but warn against turning back the clock

Labour Party Deputy Leaders Ian Borg and Alex Agius Saliba today conveyed a message of unity, but warned voters against turning back the clock.

Borg told supporters that “Malta is ready” to keep moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Abela.

Addressing supporters gathered in Pjazza Kastilja during Workers’ Day celebrations marking the 100th anniversary since the occasion began being commemorated in Malta, he said that “we are sending a clear message that Malta is ready to continue moving forward”, repeatedly asking the crowd: “Are you ready?”

Agius Saliba cited the Government’s track record in office and that Labour always stuck to its electoral pledges, citing its economic and social record.

He said that “we cannot allow those who want to bring a divide to undo everything we achieved through sacrifice and hard work, undoing all Labour’s successes”.

He recounted that he was in Gozo and met a father of a child with a disability who thanked Abela. He said the child’s father cancelled an appointment to sell his his house to give priority to get medication for his child but thanks to Abela’s Administration now his child’s medication is free.

He reiterated the party’s proposals such as higher student stipends and grants for students pursuing studies abroad. He referred to pensioners on the proposed 50-euro weekly increase, alongside a wave of other pledges, including 100 proposals for Gozo. These included free ferry travel for foot passengers using the Gozo Channel service.

He said Opposition leader Alex Borg was firing proposals without supporting such proposals with the costs incurred.

Borg meanwhile drew contrasts with past political rhetoric, referring to the old Nationalist slogan “Labour won’t work” and arguing that history had shown that “those who sow hatred reap failure.” He also referenced former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his call for Malta to become “the best in Europe.”

The Labour movement, he highlighted, continued to promote hope, courage and unity while placing workers and families at the centre of national policy.

In one of the more emotional moments of the speech, Borg reflected on Malta’s resilience, saying Labour remained the underdog, urging people to support Labour.

Borg argued that the Labour Party’s success had always rested on its belief in the people and said the government’s record proved its commitment to delivering on promises.

“When families needed help, we stepped in. When workers needed stability, we kept our word. When young people needed opportunities, we opened doors,” he said.

He insisted that Labour was seeking a renewed mandate not out of gratitude for past achievements but to continue implementing reforms and social measures aimed at improving quality of life.

Borg said Labour kept its promises and always supported those who needed it.

We want your support not to thank us, that was our duty to deliver, Borg told supporters.

We want our success to be felt by all of you, whatever your need may be, from all aspects, he said.