Malta Today Special Edition • 14 April 2003

Angelo Farrugia indicates Labour will swing towards EU

Julian Manduca

TA Qali’ 13:00pm: While I was in the counting hall it was suggested that Labour’s next leader would be Dr Angelo Farrugia, a former police officer, so I was eager to get his comments. Farrugia told me: "I have done well in both districts. I am, of course, upset because Labour lost. The elections were still dominated by the EU, but I believe that there are other issues. A post mortem will have to take place soon after the election results.

"The people have spoken, and the EU is a reality now. EU membership has been confirmed completely by the public and now since Malts it will be Europe the MLP will have to consider its position in this regard."

I push Farrugia to say whether he believes there will be a change in the MLP’s direction. "Obviously every change will be taken at the level of a general conference, but I believe that we cannot go against the will of the people."

Asked whether he might be a future leader of the MLP Farrugia preferred not to comment.