Creating a parallel market where MLP supporters can shop for goods and services, snug in the knowledge that their purchasing power is helping the cause of Maltese socialism, is all part of Toni Abela’s masterplan to put the party’s finances on a sound footing.
Toni Abela, who is contesting for the post of MLP deputy leader for party affairs, is proposing that the party open its own business ventures “as a provider of services and commodities.”
“We have a market of 200,000 Labourites. These people dress, eat and drink like Nationalist supporters do,” Toni Abela explained in an interview with this newspaper (see pages 11-12).
“You’re not talking of supermarkets?” Malta Today asked.
“Why not? Why shouldn’t a political party fare as well as a private operator does when they open a shop? I want our supporters to become stakeholders in this operation. I am saying that what others can do, we can do better.”
In the same interview Abela also declared his intention not to contest the next general election if he is elected deputy leader, insisting that he wants to dedicate all his time to the party and to avoid any conflicts with prospective MLP candidates whose section the deputy leader chairs.

jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt