A renewed PN

When I decided to join the PN, it was during a very difficult time for the party, a time we were unpopular, seen by many as arrogant, a party that was seen to have lost connection with the people. A party that had lost its ability to listen.

ITo be credible, we need to start putting our money where our mouth is, as some would say. We need to ensure that we provide the people with an alternative, something they can believe in, something tangible.

n fairness, the situation at the time was very different than that of today, although as a new politician I wanted to change how the PN was perceived as I believed it was unfair.

I was determined to ensure that the people who placed their trust in the party were listened to. I was determined to be part of the new generation of politicians who listened, and take action over what the residents of our localities, what the voters, what the people had to say.

During the past years I’ve done my utmost to ensure that the promise I made to myself to be close to the people, to understand the people’s needs and address them was kept.

Saying this, the interview given by Dr Bernard Grech last Sunday was a breath of fresh air. I was in complete agreement with all that he said. I’ve been involved heavily in the party during these past eight years, and I am proud to have been part of it, even if the desired aim may have not been achieved, I believe we were without a doubt the better party, the party with better ideas.

Unfortunately, we lacked the ability to get these ideas through to the people. Sometimes you have to look back to where you have been, on what you have done and realize what needs to be changed, what needs to give. You need to understand what new ideas and aspirations the people are expecting. Remaining in the status quo I do not believe is an option that the PN can take. If we were to be honest, we have a golden opportunity to change gear, to give the people very much what they want, what they expect from a party in waiting to be an alternative Government, we need to give them a reason to follow us.

As a party in opposition, part of our duty constitutionally is to be a watchdog and ensure that the government is kept in check. But after eight years I firmly believe that this alone is definitely not enough. Telling people what is wrong with the government, letting them know how incompetent in many cases this government is, is definitely not enough to convince the remaining difference to vote for PN.

To be credible, we need to start putting our money where our mouth is, as some would say. We need to ensure that we provide the people with an alternative, something they can believe in, something tangible. This is no easy task, to do this many difficult decisions must be taken so as to ensure that our shortcomings of the past are not the reason we could fail in the future. Although I do believe that we have made inroads with the strategies being implemented, such as starting early in providing people with proposals and our vision, keeping the public excited to hear what new ideas we have in store to create a better life for them.

To do this we must listen to what the people expect from us, be it fresh new exciting proposals, new faces, new ideas, a balanced team and most definitely a party they can trust.

In six months’ time we may be going to the polls and the PN must try to manage to recover 26,000 votes. Dr. Bernard Grech has done an excellent job in recovering thousands and I believe that this was done by showing that the party is being regenerated, by people who are willing to commit to the party, by experience and something new. The party needs to ensure that the fraction of people who wish to see the party regenerated are catered for.

Any individual who’s committed to seeing that this party moves forward is needed and should be given the space they need to do so. Dr Bernard Grech was given a very difficult task, part of his job is to ensure that he makes the PN electable once again. That is why he was elected, that is why he was chosen, that is why people voted to put him in the position that he is in. They believe, as I believe, that he is up to the task.

A balance is required, we need to take what is still good and also introduce something new, something many voters have been longing for, a rejuvenized party. A party that has learned from past mistakes and looks forward with vision, with clarity and knows where it wants to see the country in the next 10 years. A party that understands what the people need.

We have a difficult job ahead, make no mistake we are the underdog, but I believe in the direction given by our leader and I truly believe that we do have the resources, the perfect balance of people to provide this country with an alternative which they can bank on.