New Labour Party convention October 26

The New Labour Party, currently led by former finance minister Friday Jumbe, has announced that it will hold its maiden convention on October 26 in Blantyre.

Speaking to the press in Blantyre yesterday, the party’s vice-president Sam Mpasu said the party has intention to participate in the 2014 Tripartite Elections.

“We have every intention to participate at every level during the elections next year. We believe on October 26 delegates will give mandate on the presidential candidate and running mate,” said Mpasu adding that: “New Labour Party is serious to participate in the polls.”

The party has since appointed an organising committee, currently tasked to source about K15 million to meet costs of the convention.

“We need money, but ours will not be a fancy convention.

We are thinking of K15 million, but that is not a definite figure,” said Mpasu, who stated that the party has been running on personal sacrifices from members.

He said all positions, will be up for grabs at the convention and appealed to those aspiring to join the party’s hierarchy by contesting at the convention.

The New Labour Party was formed in November last year, but was formally registered as the 46th party in the country on January 9 this year.

Jumbe together with Mpasu and a few former UDF heavyweights formed the party after failing to reconcile with a faction led by UDF president Atupele Muluzi.