Reform and renewal goes beyond change of name – Louis Galea
Reports carried by a section of the media regarding a PN name change do not reflect at all the substance of what is being proposed and discussed in the party, Louis Galea said in a statement.
It is obvious that the muchneeded PN reform has to go far beyond a mere name modification. “This is why the reform proposals I have submitted are substantial. If accepted and properly implemented I am confident these will give a new lease of life to the party,” Galea said.
The former Education Minister and Speaker of the House was appointed by PN leader Adrian
Delia to look into ways of reform ing the Nationalist Party after a string of electoral defeats.
In his statement, Galea said that in the second week of January, all PN MPs were invited to discuss the proposals over three long sessions when I had the opportunity to engage in a constructive discussion. Quite a number of the MPs’ suggestions were taken on board. The process of discussion will now continue in the party Executive Committee and the Councillors’ Assemblies, before a final decision in the General Council.
The reform and renewal of the PN are urgent and in the best interests of the party and more so of the country.
“In the course of this PN reform and renewal process, I have already submitted proposals regarding: a) A more effective performance by the Parliamentary Group; b) Urgent reforms needed in the political and institutional framework to enable our country to return to full democracy and good governance; c) An update of the party’s Mission Statement providing a base for an adjournment of the party’s thinkling and politics; and d) Changes intended to re-organize the party around a team-based effective democratic structure at all party levels.
“For this purpose, I proposed a draft to adjourn the party statute in the light of developments that have changed society, and to cater for the urgent need to put the party on a strong and modern footing.
“I drafted all these proposals following substantial discussions with: a) All local committees in Malta and Gozo; b) All MPs individually; c) All party branches (youths, women, workers, elderly, equal opportunities, SMEs, professionals, local councillors, candidates and former MPs); d) Party officials, including the leader; and e) Quite a number of Maltese and Gozitans who kindly took the interest to share their ideas with me on the situation.
“In addition, I analysed the replies to a questionnaire completed by all local committees reflecting their suggestions on the way forward for the party to renew itself into a strong and effective tool in the interests of the people. I also analysed a considerable number of papers and reports submitted by different individuals.
“The proposals I submitted are the fruit of this process of discussions and reflections. I will continue to pursue the task entrusted to me and ensure an informed and constructive discussion to enable the party councillors to adopt the needed decisions in the best interests of the party and of the country,” Galea said.