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New faces to contest on MLP ticket in Bormla

Sharon Ellul Bonici confirms, Wenzu Mintoff denies

Sharon Ellul Bonici, the public relations officer for the Campaign for National Independence, and editor of the monthly Eurosceptic newspaper, the EU Observer, is to contest the general elections on behalf of the Malta Labour Party in two districts.

Ms Ellul Bonici, who until recently formed part of the ‘Xarabank’ team, has resigned from the popular TV programme and is now expected to quit her post at CNI.

The outspoken, younger face of the anti-EU movement who last year, featured on a Labour Party local council election billboard, will contest the second district, which is a Labour Party stronghold. Contacted yesterday Ms Ellul Bonici confirmed that she would be contesting and involving herself in the administration of the MLP.

The second district has always elected four Labour MPs but in 1998 the Nationalist party managed to pick up its second seat, primarily because of the Dom Mintoff controversy.

No fewer than another 13 Labour candidates are expected to contest the second district, but this number is expected to rise.

Meanwhile it was reported that Super One journalist Glenn Bedingfield had shown interest in contesting the general election in the second and third district. However when contacted by MaltaToday he admitted that although he had been keen on the idea, he realised that he would be more useful in the newsroom at Super One.

The 13 candidates who have practically confirmed their candidacy are Christopher Agius (il-wefi), Rita Law and Joe Mizzi who were elected in 1998.

Lawrence Ancilleri, Stefan Buontempo, Karl Chircop, Anthony Degiovanni (Fgura mayor), Keith-Patrick Grech, Lawrence Mintoff, Alfred Portelli and Salvu Sant are expected to contest.

The other candidates who were rumoured to be contesting the 2nd district included Sharon Ellul Bonici, Tony Coleiro and Wenzu Mintoff who in 1998 contested as an Alleanza Gustizzja Socjali – Alternattiva Demokratika candidate.

But contacted by MaltaToday, Dr Mintoff, a former Labour parliamentarian and ex-Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika, denied that he was a candidate for the Labour party.

GWU militant unionist Tony Coleiro, on the other hand, said that he would announce his intention when the Prime Minister calls an election. But he said: "My only interest is to see the workers’ movement back in government."

Second District 1998 candidates who are probably not contesting this time round are Joseph Cassar Delia, Simone Cini, Edwin Grech, Stephen Perici, Angelo Psaila, Rosario Zammit and Marie-Louise Coleiro who will be campaigning in her home locality, the sixth district.