After election debacle, Labour president wants bold action on women's reproductive rights

Labour Party President Ramona Attard said pressing quality-of-life issues demand immediate attention, including bold action on women's reproductive rights after the European election result.

“I believe we must address political, environmental, and quality of life issues. We also have to advance civil rights and we need the courage to take the next step, including securing women's reproductive rights and other essential freedoms," Attard said on TVM's Xtra.

Addressing the PL's significant loss of votes in Saturday's European election, Attard noted that while some issues are in the Labour manifesto, the party hasn't summoned the courage to address them yet.

She mentioned personal issues constituents had brought to her attention, such as parents being informed just a day in advance that their child's Learning Support Educator (LSE) would not be available, and an elderly grandmother living on the fourth floor of an apartment, unable to visit her disabled nephew due to the lack of a lift.

"Of course, I empathise with these individuals," she said. "However, it's important to acknowledge how some also demand the impossible. We need to be realistic and recognise that we can't cater to everyone's needs."

When questioned about Roberta Metsola's political influence, Attard noted how the election "remains a loss for both Metsola and Bernard Grech, as they couldn't outperform Robert Abela."

Vitals corruption: ‘Impacting public health, defies electoral norms’

Addressing the proverbial elephant in the room, host Saviour Balzan pointed out that the PN has consistently championed "fighting corruption" as its primary election platform, despite the well-known adage that corruption doesn't win elections. “So, what changed now?”

PN's general secretary Michael Piccinino argued that the Vitals corruption scandal stood apart. "In this instance, corruption directly impacted public health," Piccinino emphasised.

He elaborated on how funds intended to improve people's lives were laundered and misappropriated.

"When people witnessed funds designated for cancer patients being embezzled, it deeply affected them. When funds meant for a new general hospital in Gozo disappeared, it shook the public's trust," Piccinino explained.

Before delving into a debate over whether the Vitals case along with the arrest of a former prime minister influenced the election results, both parties acknowledged that the substantial number of votes garnered by independent candidates provided a significant lesson.