‘We will govern responsibly’ – Prime Minister Joseph Muscat

It was an impassioned and triumphant Joseph Muscat who addressed Labour supporters gathered upon the Granaries in Floriana during the mass meeting that celebrated the Labour Party's electoral victory, and Muscat's own election as Prime Minister, just a week earlier.

During the celebratory gathering that saw Labour supporters out in drove to celebrate the PL's landslide victory at the polls by a margin of 36,000 votes, Muscat drove home Labour's message of national unity.

Above all, he insisted that the Labour Party's pledge of inclusivity and openness did not expire with its electoral victory. "We campaigned as a movement, and we will govern as a movement," Muscat told cheering party faithful.

"This is the country of George Borg Olivier, This is the country of Dom Mintoff," Muscat said, harkening back to Malta's divided political history and Labour's campaign-long rhetoric that envisages an end to tribalist politics.

"This is the country that next year will be celebrating its 25th anniversary since its achieving its freedom, the 40th anniversary since becoming a republic, and its 50th anniversary since achieving its independence," Muscat said.

He noted that on 9 March 2013, the Labour Party had won a solid mandate from the electorate. "Last week you decided, historically, unequivocally, without doubt, that you want a change in direction. I feel the burden of responsibility," Muscat told Labour supporters in attendance.

"I am more than happy to carry it, and I will be performing my duty in this regard," Muscat said, as the crowd chanted "Joseph, Joseph!"

Muscat also insisted that Labour would not lose touch with its supporters, or become enamored with its landslide victory, which saw Labour securing an exceedingly comfortable nine-seat majority in parliament.

"This party would keep its feet on the ground as if it won by only one vote," he said, in a bid to dispel the notion that his administration will become complacent with its near-unassailable parliamentary majority.

"If you feel that anyone is getting too big for his or her boots, speak to me personally," Muscat said, assuming direct responsibility for Labour's proximity to the electorate.

"I am committed to ensuring that this party keeps working, existing, breathing, for the sake of the people."

Notably, Muscat also said that Labour would not "complain" about the state in which it found government institutions and buildings when it stepped into power at the start of the week, which have already led to several reports in the media of offices stripped bare and even deliberately cut electrical and telephone wiring.

"I am not here to complain about how the state in which we found things," Muscat said. "In truth, there was far more than we did not find, than what we did find," he said, humorously referencing reports of empty offices devoid of stationary, telephones, or other furnishings.

"Yes, everyone must shoulder their responsibility. And a new government will ensure that those who made bad decisions will shoulder the responsibility for them," he affirmed. "But our duty is not to complain, but to do and govern."

"Neither will I will complain that what we promised is not possible. Because what we promised we will see through, and we will govern responsibly," Muscat added.

Muscat also reiterated Labour's pro business and pro-employment message, and said that the Labour government would be immediately issuing a call for ideas for national projects.

"In this way we will start this legislation by immediately examining everyone's ideas so that this government starts implementing its mission for creating work across the whole country."

The mass meeting was also addressed by deputy prime minister and deputy leader Louis Grech, and Labour deputy leader Toni Abela.