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Shock and disbelief - Vella

In an interview published today, deputy leader George Vella admits that he was not surprised the Labour party lost some support following the extraordinary party conference in 1998.

He told Miriam Dunn people were confused, primarily because of George Abela’s speech, in which he warned against an early election.

Dr Vella said that the speech left the people "baffled", when the party hierarchy had planned to use the conference to fully explain the situation it was in and what it needed

to do.

"When Dr Abela made his announcement, it was a big shock for everybody, since, before the conference, we were all in agreement, including George Abela, that there was no alternative to a general election," he said.

In a frank interview, the hand-on-heart eurosceptic and former foreign minister admitted that the MLP could genuinely see no alternative to going to the polls.

Read full interview with George Vella