‘My appeal was for sitting MPs to consider creating space for new talent voluntarily’
PN MP Claudio Grech told The Malta Independent, when asked to elaborate on his comments regarding the party making space for younger candidates in the upcoming general election, that his appeal was for sitting MPs to consider creating space for new talent voluntarily.
A few weeks back, Times of Malta reported PN inside sources saying that a unanimous vote was taken during an Executive Committee meeting, calling for current PN MPs to take a step back from contesting the next general election to make space for fresh talent. This motion, the news report read, is something that Grech had pushed for the past 18 months and that both former Leader Adrian Delia and current Leader Bernard Grech supported Grech’s stance.
The Malta Independent spoke to Grech to get a better understanding of what he meant by the PN making space for young candidates and if it has to come at the cost of sitting MPs.
Grech started off by saying that, when discussing this matter, one has to consider that the PN’s political goal is “to shape the best policies for Malta and Gozo, strive to convince the electorate to elect it to government and implement those policies for the common good.”
“It therefore follows that the overriding priority should not be based on our narrow interests as individual MPs, but rather on how the PN can shine once again and become the strong political force it is intended to be. The moment we lose sight of this bigger picture is the moment in which we resign ourselves to perpetuity in opposition. In my books, this would be a huge disservice to our country.”
He explained that the PN needs to regenerate itself and it can only do so if it has the courage to change from within by injecting new talent who can bring new ideas, perspectives and a more diverse representation of society. This, he said, is why he appealed to the Executive to position new talent at top of its agenda in the enlisting of candidates.
This newsroom asked if he is of the idea that current MPs, who have served the party for quite some time and contested numerous elections, should not contest to give younger candidates space.
“My appeal was for us sitting MPs to give due consideration to this overriding priority and to consider creating space for fresh talent; and to do so not by way of introducing a system or imposition but by doing so voluntarily,” he said, adding that no one has ever proposed any term-limits.
Asked to explain how younger candidates will help the PN have a better chance of winning the coming election, Grech said that fresh talent (be it youths or experienced individuals willing to join the frontline at a later stage in their lives) is a key ingredient to making change happen.
“Having said that, I am equally convinced that the PN is sorely missing a younger cohort of politicians in its frontline and this is something that seriously concerns me. Unfortunately, it is a fact that the PN has skipped two generations of politicians and if nothing is done now, it will also be skipping a third one. I can assure you that there is exceptional talent in these two generations which we should strive to bring back to the core of the party and encourage them to take an active role in frontline politics.”
He also added that there are individuals who may have previously been in the party but have distanced themselves over the last years, many of whom he is convinced are willing to continue their journey with the PN because of what they have to contribute.
When asked to clarify if it is true that the Executive Committee took a unanimous vote in favour of this, he did not disclose what was decided, but mentioned that there is widespread support for this regeneration to take place in a way that does not give rise to conflict.
This newsroom also asked about what the feedback from other MPs and the PN leader have been like with regards to this situation.
He explained that he is comforted by the fact that the PN leader has a strong determination to ensure that the party regenerates itself and continues to widen its base into a stronger and electable political force.
With regards to MPs he said he has discussed this matter with a number of them and many understand the rationale and the importance of the bigger picture, but he also noted that each individual MP would need to make his or her own decision.
‘PN needs all the MPs and persons in order to succeed’ – PN MPs
The Malta Independent contacted a number of MPs who have been with the party for a number of elections, namely David Agius, Ewdin Vassallo, Robert Arrigo, Clyde Puli, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Mario de Marco and Mario Galea, asking if they would be willing not to contest the next general election for this cause.
In a collective statement, the MPs said; “discussions within the party are confidential and not disclosed until so required. Furthermore, it is important to underline that the PN needs all the MPs and persons who can contribute to its renewal in order to succeed.”