Lawyer Manuel Mallia announces his candidature

Manuel Mallia, a lawyer by profession, today announced his will be contesting the forthcoming general elections on a Labour ticket.

Mallia said he admired the way by which the Labour Party was committed to work. "I would have never thought that one day I'll be standing here. But I have at heart the national interest. The country gave me a lot and I believe it is now time to give something back. I am proud to do this within the Labour Party."

Announcing his candidature during the PL's general conference, Mallia said government chose to ignore the increased bureaucracy which was hindering investment while the Nationalist Party was cut away from the realities of the Maltese.

"Today, Labour is led by a person who is always ready to listen to you, who opened the doors of an inclusive movement, a loyal leader with a clear vision. It is because of this that today I announce that I will be contesting the general election on the ninth and tenth districts."

Mallia said he chose the Labour Party because he saw in Joseph Muscat the same principles and values he holds.

"We are fed up nonsense, our people deserve much better," Mallia said, adding that the biggest mistake is to believe that one knows everything, who ignores respect and value.

Mallia called on the Maltese and Gozitans to join the Labour movement: "I am sure that a Labour government would be for everyone. A government which would bring stability, which listens and serves. What unites us the sense of duty towards the public. The best times for this country are yet to come."

In an interview with Sunday newspaper Illum in 2009, Mallia had at the time said he was still uncertain on whether he would be contesting the general elections, even though he had admitted that Labour leader Joseph Muscat had approached him with the offer.

Mallia, who hails from Sliema, saw his first political experience within the sectional committees of the Nationalist Party, between 1971 and 1978. He was elected as secretary in the first year and as president after that, to the Gzira sectional committee. He was also elected as president to the tenth electoral district committee and was instrumental in pioneering the set-up of the Gzira PN Club and premises of which he was president for five years.