Live blog of Labour's mass meeting in Zabbar

Welcome to MaltaToday's live blog of the Labour Party's mass meeting in Zabbar. REFRESH here to update the stream.

5:39pm: Apologies for the premature termination of the live blog, too many wifi keys and not enough bandwidth to go around. Full report on the mass meeting to follow shortly.

4:09pm: "Today 90 years ago, the Maltese National Anthem was first heard in public. We have moved forward thanks to a united population. We can feel the need for unity more than ever now. There is a sense that something new is upon is. There is a sense of realisation that what we are living today is much bigger than the usual politics."

4:08pm: Show time. Joseph Muscat has found his way to the stage.

4:04pm: “Joseph Muscat does not carry the baggage of the PL’s past.”

4:02pm: "The PL as a Party for the middle class appeals to all, including professional." Bonello isn't exactly setting the crowd alight.

3:58pm: “Muscat will not lead a legalised dictatorship”. Bonello is now talking about the BOV/MFSA debacle.  “This is a classic example of how the interests of a selected few come before the interests of the many." Heavy boooing as reference is made to Eddie Fenech Adami.

3:42pm: The first speaker is accountant Paul Bonello. "I have never voted for the PL, let alone militated for the Party. But on the 9th of March I am going to vote for Labour."

3:38pm: Still waiting for the main show to begin. It would appear that Joe's roadmap doesn't contain directions to Zabbar.

3:35pm: It would appear that the hunting lobby is getting behind the PL. One woman seen proudly sporting a t-shirt proclaiming, 'hunting and trapping is my life.'

3:32pm: Severe internet problems at the moment,apologies for any long pauses. Don't worry, the mass meeting is still going strong. 

3:16pm: We wait with bated breath for the first speaker to come on stage.

3:08pm: Music festival or political rally?Hard to tell at the moment.

3:01pm: Who needs a flag when you have Joseph Muscat's book? A few supporters proudly waving their copies in the air.

2:59pm: The catering has reached a whole new level for this one. Baguettes, sandies and hor d'oeuvres all at journalists' finger tips. Lets hope that Joseph doesn't get his hands on them.

2:57pm: The all important money shot has already been had, with the presenter encouraging all the supporters present to raise their flags and hand into the air.

2:55pm:The party is in full swing at the moment, with beer and whisky at the plenty. A new progressive remix of the PL's signature ‘new tomorrow’ song has made its successful debut.

2:53pm: Hello and welcome to this live blog. Scenes of friendly joshing (and the odd middle finger) on the way up to Zabbar, as ‘rival’ supporters made their way to their respective mass meetings.