Muscat wants PL councillors to 'hit the ground running'

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat held a meeting at the Labour Party's headquarters in Hamrun with the party's 19 newly elected mayors.

Muscat flanked by Labour's spokesperson on local governemnt congratulted the mayors for their success and said that the meeting was convened in order for Labour to "hit the ground running."

 He set three main targets for all Labour councillors elected in Saturday's election in which the party gained 55.7% of all votes cast. "Our first aim should be to implement the party concrete manifesto. It is the mayors' responsability to ensure that the manifesto is implemented in its entirety."

Muscat added that he expects Labour's mayors to organise meeting with organisations and residents in their respective localities. "We have to demonstrate that the party is close to the people at all times not only on the eve of elections."

Thirdly, Muscat urged all Labour councillors to work hand in hand with PN councillors for the benefit of the residents. "We have to work together with all councillors, even with councillors who make part of a minority, because they also represent residents."

The Labour leader explained that Labour councillors must not only listen to resients but also understand them. "The protest vote on Saturday was not only addressed at the governemnt but itv was also addressed to Labour-led local councils," Muscat said.