Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/844299
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 JULY 2017 5 PAUL COCKS LABOUR'S deputy leadership candidates have played down any ambitions for the top leadership post, in what seems to be a com- mon ingredient among two of the three contenders. Helena Dalli, 55, the minister for EU affairs and equality who pre- sided over the introduction of civil unions, gender identity rules, and other progressive reforms, said she had no "higher aspirations" for leadership. "Prime Minister Joseph Muscat deserves a loyal person to stand by him as deputy and one with- out any higher aspirations," she said, echoing similar comments made by Edward Scicluna, 70, the finance minister who is also run- ning for the post. The contest will also see health minister Chris Fearne, 54, run for the post of deputy leader for par- liamentary affairs, after the vacan- cy arose following Louis Grech's decision not to run for office at the June election. Dalli said she would encourage Joseph Muscat to stay on as leader of the Labour Party, and that Mus- cat should not be in a position where he is constantly worrying about scheming behind his back. "I will be encouraging Joseph Muscat to stay on as Labour Party leader for longer than he has indi- cated," referring to Muscat's vow that he would not be leading La- bour at the next general election. "But if that fails, he does not need to be constantly looking over the back of those closest to him to see what they are doing," she said. Dalli was addressing a media conference during the launch of her campaign for the party's depu- ty leadership, in the shadow of the Freedom Monument in Vittoriosa. The slogan chosen for her cam- paign is 'A woman with you'. Dalli, like contender Scicluna, said it was Muscat himself who encouraged her to throw her hat in the ring. The conversation took place in Strasbourg and Dalli sub- sequently sought the advice of for- mer deputy prime minister Louis Grech, before confirming her can- didature. The elected candidate will also become deputy prime minister in the government of Joseph Mus- cat, which would make Dalli the first woman to ever hold the post. Malta has so far had two female presidents of the republic. Dalli said that there was no ani- mosity among the three candi- dates and that the Labour team would remain as strong as ever, irrespective of who won. "When the prime minister en- trusted me with the additional portfolio that used to fall under former deputy leader Louis Grech, many approached me and encour- aged me to run in the election," she said. She insisted that her 38 years of experience within the Labour Party, starting under the tutelage of former prime minister Dom Mintoff, was invaluable and would serve her and the party well if she were chosen to become deputy leader. The minister said she under- stood the feelings and aspirations of the party delegates because she had experienced the same things they faced. "I experienced the many hard years that Labour sup- porters went through for many years." She said she was proud to be part of a feminist government and ad- ministration, adding that a woman deputy prime minister could lead to greater female inclusion in the party itself. "If elected, I will ensure to help delegates become more aware of what happens in parliament and at a government level," Dalli said. "I want our delegates to be kept up- to-date because the government's programme is one they themselves chose in the last election." Dalli, progressive torchbearer from the old guard, launches deputy bid News Equality Minister says she can be 'loyal deputy without higher aspirations' to leader Joseph Muscat EU Affairs and Equality minister Helena Dalli