Jason Micallef willing to ‘sacrifice’ candidature

Former PL secretary-general Jason Micallef said the decision was his own and he was grateful that the PL had accepted it whilst addressing the second session of Labour's general conference.

The current chairman of Labour's media house One Productions confirmed his intention not to contest elections with MaltaToday and said "I have taken this decision in the party's best interest. I have made numerous sacrifices for the party throughout the years and at this point in time it is best for me to concentrate on the party's media."

Micallef had declared his intentions to contest the general elections on the PL ticket in an interview with Sunday newspaper Illum.

In comments to MaltaToday this morning, Micallef said there was "absolutely no pressure" on him to take this decision. He said that during the last few years he had led drastic changes in the party's media and he will maintain his work to continue the change.

Asked what brought him to take this decision, Micallef told MaltaToday "Things happened fast in recent days and in the party's interests I understood that it would be better to remain at the helm of the party's media."

"I have been discussing this matter with the party's leader (Joseph Muscat) for the last fortnight and he was very honest with me. Together we decided that this is the best decision for the party," Micallef said.

The former PL secretary general said "It was not an easy decision. It is a sacrifice I am willing to do because firstly I am a supporter of the party."

Jason Micallef said he had not commenced house visits but did have a number of canvassers helping him.