Bartolo: delegates must choose deputy leader ‘with Labour values’, rules himself out

Education minister Evarist Bartolo has ruled himself out of the running for the newly vacated position of deputy leader of the Labour Party.

“I believe that the best way to work for social justice, inclusion, economic progress and rights is to continue working in my current post,” he said in a Facebook post. “I hope that the [new deputy leader] is one who truly professes the Labour Party’s values and who is chosen by the party’s delegates.”

Minister Konrad Mizzi replaced Toni Abela as PL deputy leader for party affairs in February, but resigned the position on Thursday in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal.

He has therefore set a record as being the shortest serving deputy leader in the Labour Party’s history.

The post was not originally opened to serving MPs, but the party’s delegates agreed to change the statue – upon Muscat’s request – ahead of Mizzi’s nomination. Economy minister Chris Cardona has already confirmed that he will contest the post.

Evarist Bartolo publicly said that he would have resigned in Mizzi’s position.