[LIVE] Follow the Labour mass meeting in Xaghra from our live-blog

Welcome to our live-blog of the Labour mass meeting in Xaghra, Gozo. REFRESH here for live updates.

18:56 Muscat is joined on stage by his wife Michelle, and both deputy leaders Toni Abela and Louis Grech. And we're off to catch the ferry. Thank you for following.

18:55 The Labour leader also reiterated his earlier message to jaded and disgruntled voters that not voting does not send out a clear enough message to an administration "that ran roughshod over the country and its people."

"It is useless to want change unless you're willing to vote for it. It is useless for people, come Monday, to complain that nothing changed if we don't all do our part. Don't pay attention to surveys. No survey counts as much as a single vote. So go out and convince people. Go vote as early as possible so we send out a message as early as possible."

Similarly, Muscat urged the party faithful to not only vote for their preferred party candidate, but to ensure that they fill out the ballot sheet with their full preference of Labour candidates.

With that, Muscat concluded his speech. Much flag-waving ensues.

18:52 While speaking on the topic of unity, Muscat also sent out a message of solidarity with former PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, saying that he looked forward to working with him once again in the national interest.

18:51 He also said that Gozo and its needs will be taken into consideration as part of all other ministries' responsibilities, and will not be simply the responsibility of the Ministry for Gozo.

18:50 Muscat also set his sights on the health sector, saying among things that it is "unacceptable" that the elderly care residence remains part of the Gozo General Hospital, as well as the fact that cancer care is not provided in Gozo.

He said that a Labour government would see to it that cancer patients will no longer need to make the journey to Malta to receive care by providing such care in Gozo.

Muscat also pledged that a Labour government will also put the Gozitan hospital to full use. "We will also make the most of the interest being showed by foreign teaching institutions and campuses to open their own campuses here in Gozo," Muscat also said.

18:48 Muscat also reiterated a number of Labour's proposals aimed at generating more economic growth and employment in Gozo, pointing in particular at Labour's proposals aimed at increasing accessibility between Malta and Gozo.

In particular, Muscat pointed to the construction of a cruise liner terminal in Gozo, which he described as "the birth of a new economic sector for the island that will bring about more jobs."

18:42 Muscat also referred to the the agreement between the PL and the Hunting Federation, which was published earlier today. He said that the agreement represents a clear position that is being adopted by labour, and said that "we will not be sending any letters before the election to take anyone for a ride."

He said that the agreement itself will not be welcome by some hunters and trappers because of the reality it accepts. "We are saying that we are EU members and EU regulations cannot be touched. Anyone who says different is trying to deceive you."

"But in EU regulations there is room for one to take steps," Muscat added. "And our aim is not to reopen Malta's package on hunting and trapping. But Maltese trappers must be treated in the same way as hunters in other countries."

Muscat said that the same goes for trapping, and made it a point to press home the point that Labour is not proposing a hunting free-for-all. "We will be vigilant regarding enforcement. Nobody will find shelter for committing illegalities. It will not be protected. This is why I tell you: with us you know where you stand."

18:42 Muscat also said that Labour is not letting itself get drawn into an "election campaign", insisting that it is only proposing what "we know can be done."

"This is so we don't need to spend the next five years apologising for broken promises," Muscat added.

18:40 He also said that Labour is not approaching politics from a perspective of chasing for votes on the eve of an election. "We will start knocking on doors on the day after the election to let you know that we will not forget you, that we are here to listen to you, that we will not lose touch with the people."

18:38 "Ask yourselves. When you compare your situation with that of five years ago, do you feel more comfortable? Or are you feeling more pressured," Muscat asked, insisting that the middle class in particular is being squeezed.

Muscat also dismissed the PN's claims that it would start listening to the people. "We heard this before, only five years ago. And where are we today? We are hearing the same thing all over again."

18:37 Muscat said that the PN is saying that they would be doing more of the same, pointing to the HFO powered power station, to the 500 euro honoraria. "They are saying we don't need to change direction. They are cut off from the people. That is why we are offering a change of direction. This will mean a new leadership, who will never think of increasing its own paypacket while the people are suffering from the highest energy prices in history."

18:33 "We came here to reinforce our message. Families re currently asking themselves one thing: who can best represent their interests. I am proud to say that this movement is in the best position to defend not the interests of a clique or of a few chosen people, but the interests of all Maltese and Gozitans."

Muscat said that Labour would not look towards people's colour

"When you look at the face of your sister, brother, father, or mother, you do not see a colour, but the face of a loved one. In the same way, when we look towards you, we see our Maltese and Gozitans brothers and sisters."

18:32 Muscat thanks the audience for sending such a strong message that Gozo is ready to embrace Labour's message of change.

"We started this journey nine weeks ago from this island because we wanted to send a clear and strong message. You took on board this message, and you repeated it to the rest of the country. The message is that Gozitans will not be spectators, but will be protagonists."

18:31 Labour leader Joseph Muscat strides on stage to the customary epic soundtrack, and takes his place at the podium.

18:26 A clap-fest is underway as Queen's iconic 'Rock You' thumps out over the sound system.

18:25 The presenter asks the crowd to avoid setting off fireworks in the crowds. The first aid crew breathes a sigh of relief.

18:20 The flag-waving hits a new high as the 'New Tomorrow' Labour campaign anthem is played for what could well be the thousandth time during the course of this campaign.

18:15 The crowd evidently did not skimp on flags, as the audience in front of the stage is a sea of white and red - the colours of the Maltese flag, as well as the colours of the Labour party emblem.

18:14 Crowds are already getting well into the mass meeting feeling, with spirits being bolstered by the announcer and some well-worn party anthems that are getting even some journalists' heads bobbing in the media tent.