Live-blog of Labour's mass meeting in Mqabba

Welcome to our live-blog: refresh here to follow minute-by-minute updates of Labour's mass meeting Mqabba.

16:45pm: Come on boys,come on girls,in this crazy crazy world. Catch the full report of the mass meeting online, or in tomorrow's MaltaToday election special. Goodbye.

16:43pm: A patriotic ending there. Michelle has joined Muscat on stage as per.

Out come Louis Grech and Toni Abela too.

16:42pm: Muscat is appealing for the "attacks" on students to stop. He assures that his movement is not going to close into itself, promising that it is open to all.

"For those who are still undecided in who to vote for. Send a clear message. Vote for this movement on the 9 of March"

"Joseph Muscat believes in you. This movement believes in you. Come with us. Join us. Your place is with us. We have 12 days left to continue the positivity."The duty to protect youngsters from these attacks is for all. The right to clean up politics is for all. The choice not to be negative is for all. Positive politics is for all. This country is no ones monopoly. This country if for all.

16:37pm: The choice is between two totally different approaches to politics. The politics of negativity reminiscent of the past. Or the politics of positivity that looks towards the future. It will not be about the colour of your face. It will not be about who you know. We are going to be positive."

Muscat promises to remain positive and not resort to mudslinging. He said that one of the priorities of a new government will be to introduce a law on party financing."We have no one to lend us a quarter of a million euros. What does this person want back in exchange for this money," Muscat questions in reference to the Zaren Vassallo donation to the PN.

16:32pm: Soldiers, policemen, members of the civil protection have been left without rights according to Muscat. He is promising to allow them to enter a trade union of their choice with full rights, less the right to strike. Police will finally be allowed their dues when it comes to overtime pay.

"This government has left people without money in their pockets. Self employed people have been treated as criminals, ending up in prison because they fell back on their tax payments. We do not want to self employed locked up in prison. We want them out in the economy, contributing to its well being."

16:29pm: Muscat once again pledges that the 20 proposals in his roadmap are all costed and doable. Muscat is saying that the PN's economic growth projections are seriously off when compared to the European Commission's own forecasts.

"The PN's costings are based on unrealistic growth projections. If they are elected they will be faced with three possibilities. Either reneging on their promises, or ruining the country's finances, or introducing new taxes."

16:25pm:"Other are using the worst politics of the past. Their negativity gives me the strength to present myself in front of your and strive for change. I am determined to leave our children with the best possible legacy, a united country."

16:23pm:"I am not in politics for the money. I am not in politics for the power. I am in politics to bring about change. Even when I was leading a comfortable life, I came back to Malta because I heard my calling. I am ready to offer everything for this country."

16:19pm: Muscat has promised to rise above "auctioneering politics." He has called the PL's approach the politics of responsibility. "I will not be dishonest with people and abandon them after the election. Whenever I have promised something, I have always made sure that it can be delivered."

Muscat said that he was right on the levying of VAT on car registration tax, stating that people will get their money back once the PL is in government.

Major blooper alert. Joseph Muscat just said that "oil" is the best choice for the health of the Maltese population and the country's coffers. We'll be seeing that one on the news reels tonight.

16:14pm: Joseph Muscat is now with us. "We are inching closer to the moment whereby people have to choose the direction in which the country will move." Muscat is expressing his distaste at the "negative politics" of the past weeks. He said that people of great integrity have been unjustly smeared.

"Let us be positive," Muscat appeals. He says that the country deserves a mature political debate, not character sniping.

The opposition leader is saying that the PL positivity stems from their "concrete, costed and realistic proposals."

16:09pm: Bencini finished off by quoting Joseph Muscat, saying that he is looking forward to a future that unites us, rather than a past that divides us.

16:03pm: "I want to see a transparent and inclusive government. I spent many years heading the MUT. Many teachers used to express their distaste at the system after having been passed up for promotion. We need for meritocracy," Bencini insists.

Bencini says that he is confident that Muscat will both make a good Statesman, representing Malta in the EU, as well as remaining in touch with Maltese families.Bencini has said that even if "Joseph" doesn't manage to reduce utility bills, the population will still be behind him as the time for change has come.

15:56pm: The ex head of the MUT John Bencini is the first speaker.. John Bencini has expressed his absolute support for Kevin Drake. "I am accepting Joseph Muscat's call to be a protagonist in this movement. This is the moment for all of you to be protagonists. Play your part in pulling Malta out of its current mediocrity. This is a national movement." Bencini is appraising Muscat's inclusive politics, saying that he has never seen such a unified approach being taken.

15:51pm: On to the serious business. Ray Azzopardi is on stage, encouraging the crowd to sing "Malta for All," describing it as an anthem for all of Malta and Gozo. We seem to be having a bit of a technical hitch though, with no sound emanating from the speakers. Not to worry, the crowd has broken out into spontaneous chants of "Viva il labour."

15:44pm: Many people are taking advantage of the glorious sunshine, sporting short-sleeved t-shirts and a can of brew. The crowd is waiting in anticipation for the first speaker. The PL will be holding a mass meeting for youngsters this Thursday, as the electioneering starts to reach its peak before the 'day of reflection' on the 8 of March.

15:36pm: On to some more contemporary bass laden numbers now. An absolute sea of white and red has descended onto Mqabba today. The presenter thanks the crowd for their attendance, shouting out "We are nothing without you."

15:30pm: Hello and thanks for taking time out from the Financial Times in order to follow this live blog. Today the PL is holding a mass meeting in Mqabba. William Mangion is doing his best John Lennon impression, belting out the classic "Imagine" as we speak.