Roderick Galdes withdraws election bid, cites partisan attacks

Former minister Roderick Galdes has announced he will not contest the upcoming general election, saying the decision was taken to protect the Labour Party from partisan attacks and to focus on securing the best possible result for the party and the country.

In a Facebook post published on Saturday, Galdes said his “highest interests” had always been and would remain his family, the party and the country.

He noted much had been said about his potential candidacy, insisting he had already spoken “clearly, directly and without hesitation”, and stood by his previous statements in full, particularly regarding events that took place within the party’s national executive.

Galdes said he had offered to contest the general election for a sixth time, with the aim of once again earning the trust of voters, as he had done in previous elections. He emphasised people should ultimately decide who represents them.

However, he said the Nationalist Party and “certain extreme factions” that still wield influence within it were attempting to use his name in a partisan manner to harm the Labour Party.

“It is for this reason alone that I have taken the decision not to continue my efforts to contest this election,” he said.

Galdes added that he would instead dedicate his energy to working with others to achieve the best possible outcome for the Labour Party and the country.

He also expressed confidence that what he described as “baseless allegations and calumnies” made against him would be disproven in a short time. He said he believed he would then be in a position to continue serving with dedication and loyalty, as he had always done.

Galdes concluded by thanking residents of Qrendi, where he began his political career in the local council, as well as the communities of Luqa and Siggiewi, which he said had played an important role in his political journey over the years.