Live blog of the PN mass meeting in Zebbug

Welcome to MaltaToday's live blog of the Nationalist Party's mass meeting in Zebbug. REFRESH here to update the stream. 

5:19pm Thanks for following...keep yourself updated by reading MaltaToday online and the 2013 Election daily newspaper as from tomorrow.

5:17pm That's it...Gonzi ends his speech with an impassioned plea to PN voters not to give up on winning the election. It seems that Gonzi had to cut through his speech as he was losing voice. Lawrence and Kate Gonzi soak in the crowds adulation as the PN faithful send off their heroes with a deafning cheer.

5:16pm It sounds like the Prime Minister's voice will not last for the whole meeting. Gonzi urges the crowd to relay the PN's messege. "Step by step, day after day, let us work together to win the election. Together everything is possible and everything will be made possible. Together we can win the 9 March election."

5:13pm "For whoever is still weighing things up, this is the difference. The PN takes things seriously and takes immediate action to fight corruption while Labour brushes the fight against drugs aside for partisan interests."

5:10pm "This is very worrying. Scary. Labour's deputy leader kept this case under wraps to protect the Labour Party. Scandalous. To make things worse now Joseph Muscat is defending Abela. It is unacceptable to sideline the fight against drugs for partisan interests."

5:08pm He warns that in three weeks time Abela, who Gonzi insists was guilty of obstructing justice and covering up drug use at a Labour club, could be in government "If this is the change Labour is promising, we do not need this change, we do not want this change."

5:05pm Do not take anything for granted, it all depends on the capability of who is at the helm, Gonzi says. He adds that Labour's true face is being uncovered, citing the secret recordings concerning GWU boss Tony Zarb and Labour deputy leader Toni Abela.

5:01pm "Labour is presenting itself in a glossy and attractive facade, but I urge you to look what is behind the curtains," he says while stressing that the PN had always been coherent in its policies in education and health.

4:57pm "How can you trust somebody who is surrounded by people who believe that stipends and free health care are unsustainable. How can you trust somebody who was scared of taking a clear stand during the Libyan conflict," Gonzi says, warning that Labour leader Joseph Muscat's economic plans were bound to fail.

4:54pm "A new PN government would use the EU funds to bolster the economy and create jobs." He adds that Labour makes no mention of job creation because it had no plans.

4:51pm The PM's hoarse voice echoes around the streets of Zebbug as he explains that a new PN government would reduce income tax, create new jobs and encourage women to enter the workforce.

4:49pm A somewhat subdued Gonzi urges voters who have not made their mind up to vote PN, once again warning that a vote for Labour is paramount to putting all the country's achievements at risk.

4:47pm "Does anyone want change? We have been the change...we changed the country radically. We improved the country's infrastructure, we put the economy on a sound footing and created wealth," Gonzi says as he stresses the country's growing reputation in Europe.

4:44pm "We have to win your trust, we must coinvince you. Elections are not won because we have a divine right to win. We must earn your trust."

4:42pm Gonzi says "The huge crowd here in Zebbug is sending out a clear and strong messege...the PN is ready for the 9 March vote."

4:40pm It's Gonzi's turn now to address the crowd. A rare moment of silence as the crowd prepares to sing the National Anthem.

4:38pm Busuttil urges young and first time voters to spread the word and convince others that the PN is the only guarantee for a better future.

4:36pm In a pitch for first time voters and young voters, Busuttil says that "more then ever before the country's future depends on your vote." The latest polls published by MaltaToday show that Labour enjoys a lead in young and first time voters, which traditionally are PN voters.

4:34pm Turning to education, Busuttil urges students to vote PN because it was the only guarantee to provide and maintain stipends and the highest level of education. "If you vote otherwise or stay at home you would be putting all at risk for no reason at all."

4:31pm "We should not change direction. Voting Labour would be voting for the wrong direction. Say no to Labour who opposed EU membership and vote yes to who worked hard to obtain these results."

4:27pm "The merit for this result cannot go to Labour but it must be attributed to who worked hard for it, that is the Nationalist government and above all Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. Let us make the best use of these funds, lets not throw everything down the drain. It is not the moment to start from scratch. Lets us not throw our future away."

4:25pm Busuttil hails the unprecedented 1.1 billion euros obtained in EU funds...to which the crowd responds by chanting "Thank you very much." He asks "How can we trust these funds to who was oposed to EU membership in the first place?"

4:23pm "Every vote counts...who stays home will be leaving it up to others to decide for them. You all have the duty to vote," the PN deputy leader says.

4:20pm The choice is between Joseph Muscat and Lawrence Gonzi...Busuttil says as he asks the crowd "who do you want to trust your children's education, your family's health, your career...the choice will be done by casting your vote. Who wants to trust Lawrence Gonzi must vote PN and who does not want to take a risk on Joseph Muscat must also vote PN"

4:18pm Busuttil starts his address, thanking the "extraordinary" crowd for once again replying to the PN's call to gather in Zebbug...he is interrupted by chants of "Nazzjonalisti, Nazzjonalisti!"

4:16pm Gonzi poses for a picture with the four youngsters whose faces adorn the PN electoral programme.

4:12pm Its the turn of Lawrence and Kate Gonzi to be given a hero's welcome in Zebbug. The crowd sings in unision...must be the largest choir in this part of the world.

4:09pm Here he is...finally Busuttil is on stage and takes the customary picture of the crowd with his smart phone.

4:07pm Simon Busuttil is expected on stage in seconds as the crowd sings along to the vast repertoire of past and present PN theme songs.

4:03pm For those of you asking...yes the crowd in Zebbug dwarfs the one in yesterday's meeting held by independent candidate Nazzareno Bonnici aka Tal-Ajkla in Zabbar.

3:59pm The sea of PN supporters basking in the bright sunshine in Zebbug are eagerly waiting for deputy leader Simon Busuttil and leader Lawrence Gonzi to hold their speeches.

3:56pm Good afternoon! The pre-mass meeting party is in full swing with Deborah C and other artists singing the PN campaign theme song Futur fis-Sod to the thousands of PN supporters gathered in Zebbug.