PN MEP David Casa said that he will back whoever is made Secretary General, thus ruling himself out of the race.
He has been touted in media as one of the main contenders.
PN Deputy Leader Mario De Marco stated that the PN will be the party to fight for Zonqor to become a nature park.
The PN were holding their General Council meeting at the party headquarters in Pieta.
Dr Demarco welcomed the new members to the Executive Council and thanked those who contested, adding that 90% of those eligible to vote did, thus meaning that "this party is alive". He thanked Chris Said for his work as Secretary General, stating that his work for the party has been "exceptional".
"This year, the PN is celebrating its 135th anniversary". He spoke of the party representing not only those Maltese living in the North, or just the south, "we have always worked in the interest of all the population and we will never be a party for one class or another as we do not believe in classes".
He stated that the interest of the individual will always be at the centre of the PN, regardless of class, sexual orientation and religion. "We will not give up as our strength comes from the Maltese people and we are able to identify what is good for this country. In 135 years the party has remained relevant as the PN vision was the same vision shared by the people".
"If this party was and will be an idea factory, then our aspirations must be the peoples' aspirations. We had Aspirations for independence, aspirations regarding entry into the EU and above all, just social policies.
Today's government is not working well as they are not keeping promises they have made and are in fact working against the promises they've made, he said. "The famous promise that 'you might not side with us, but can work with us,' the promise of transparency and the promise that this will be a government that listens have not been kept. It has lost the opportunity to change the way politics are made".
On Zonqor, government threw away their electoral promises, as PL MP Marlene Farrugia has said, adding that this project is for Zonqor in name only, and has successfully created a movement against it. Yesterday a new movement had launched, one to protect ODZ's. I admire those people, including Michael Briguglio, who form part of this movement".
He mentioned that at first the population thought De Paul University would run the university, however this was not to be. "They told us it would be an American University, yet it is not being run by an American. Government said the University needs it in order for the University of Malta not to have a monopoly, yet we don't have a monopoly".
"Government said that it would raise the tertiary level of education in Malta, yet then reduces requirements for educational institutions to become universities in Malta". He stressed that this reduces standards.
"Government then tells people not to worry as they would also make a nature park, yet the nature park was already in local plans, thus reducing the size of the nature park. They keep saying half-truths, one after the other".
"Together with student movements, the Archbishop, environmentalists, a large number of Marsascala locals, we will be the party to work for the Zonqor area to become a natural park".
He mentioned that when he was Minister for Tourism, people used to stress the importance of golf courses, however "regardless of the economic good that golf courses can bring, protecting nature is more important".
"The excuse to develop for the economy must end. We have seen scandal after scandal. Café Premier is one example. Why did government not take them to court, yet in the case of Casino Di Venezia did? We saw the SOCAR scandal, where Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi gave instructions to the Commission to buy fuel".
"We as a party will defend the rights of the Maltese and Gozitan people and will represent all generations, even of those who cannot vote".
He mentioned that the first job of politicians is to work for the people. "What do we stand for? Let us strengthen the way we present our message . Where there is need for change, lets change. Lets look ahead 10, 20 years down the line".
"I am sad to say the Party did not realise how much society had changed," he said referring to the Divorce referendum as well as Civil Unions.
"There are those who say that environment issues do not win votes, yet we will work for what we believe is good. Let us not again miss the bus and let us do this through conviction. Conviction that not every Maltese doesn't respect the countryside, that not every Maltese wants to develop every inch of land".
Gianluca Bezzina urges caution for moral values
Singer Gianluca Bezzina made an appearance at the conference and spoke of politics, and how he has come to appreciate the role of the Opposition as one who can suggest different ideas to government.
“Bit by bit I am seeing peoples’ values change. Our mentality is changing, we are becoming more liberal,” he said, mentioned that if an ideal is good, then it becomes law. “We are redefining morals. For many years we wouldn’t change morals from one day to the next”. He stressed that sometimes he feels governments move too fast.” It is very easy for a party to say, why not allow abortion, simply to gather a few votes for elections and not consider long-term situations. My appeal to the PN is not to only see the next election, but also the long-term”.
He also appealed to the PN to continue being a “good opposition, and fighting against wrong decisions not only for your campaign, but also for government to do a good job for us, the citizens”.
David Casa rules himself out for Secretary General post
PN MEP David Casa said that he will back whoever is made Secretary General, thus ruling himself out of the race.
“we have a party that has been lucky in the secretary Generals it has had, “Louis Galea, Chris Said, etc.. who have always managed to make the arty relevant and reach peoples’ aspirations”.
“We need to make a jump forward, and we must be an alternative government”.
He spoke of recent stories in the media, and said that Jason Micallef’s only role is to criticise PBS. My hope is for the PN to win the general elections in two years, for Simon Busuttil to be Prime Minister, to have a leader who looks at the party’s past with all its values not to promise everything for votes, and preach what we don’t believe in. What Simon Busuttil does is tie the PN’s past with the PN’s present”.
“People who have beenround for a long time are greeting those who are new to the party and this is the largest reform our Leader has done”.
He stressed that the PN must be a party that listens and not throw things down peoples’ throats. Over the past two years, the Prime Minister’s mask had been torn off. I hope everyone recognises the PN is the underdog, however through work we have managed to attract people back to the party and many people have realised that the PL’s policies were false. You know where you are with us, we will not throw surprises when in government and we keep our promises when in government. We do not look back and laugh”.
Government today found a strong economy and the people, through promises of more funds in their pocket have realised what’s going on and we have won back half the people we lost in the General election”.
“There are people out there who we hurt and thus there is still a lot of work to do. He urged the Next Secretary General to work hard and work with the Council, stressing that they are to bring the party’s message to the people. “We the MEPs are making a difference in Europe and will continue to make sure Malta’s voice is heard in Europe and promise that when this party needs us, we will be here and together will do all we can to see success in elections”.
KSU President slams government over lack of discussion on new university
The KSU President expressed his anger at politics in Malta, arguing that a fear to speak out exists. “When I spoke to my friends of this invitation to speak, they told me to be careful, or my name could be tarnished”. He argued that if someone speaks out against government, then he is labelled a nationalist, and if he supports government then he is labelled a labourite.“Personally I think politics should be used as an instrument to hear every individual, to hear every opinion and argument. What does honesty in politics mean? It doesn’t mean that a politician should just be honest with people, it also means that during a European election we should speak about European issues and not a power station”.
“”If politicians want to reach youths then they need to be sensible. Until politicians realise this, politics will not move forward. The youths are not only the future but also the present. We want to see a change in mentality towards politics in Malta”.
He told youths to keep their minds open and not change their morals for a party. “Politicians must believe in the energy youths can bring”.
“We believe that the University of Malte requires more investment. The new proposed university saw students left in the dark. Should it be NGOs to tell us that it would be built on ODZ land? Is there the need to discuss a site after the decision was taken. Is it impossible for us to discuss this beforehand?
“How can we take politics seriously? I urge politicians to work on inclusive politics nor exclusive politics”.
Precarious work on the rise, Chris Said says
PN Secretary General Chris Said said that youths expect politicians to defend future generations’ interests. “This is a party that will continue to make a difference and will do more once it regains the trust of the Maltese and Gozitan people”.
“This is my last speech as Secretary General. Thank you for being with me over the past two years. I served, however you served with me. I made sacrifices, however you made the same sacrifices to continue to strengthen the party”.
He said that two years ago the PN launched from a disadvantageous election, with ideas for internal reform, political reform, financial reform etc… a needed reform after having been in government for 25 years. A situation where morale was low”.
He mentioned that party media is no longer working at a loss and that wages for PN workers are being delivered on time. “Over and above, in less than two years, we managed to reduce the gap with the PN by half. The Prime Minister had a reason not to want the 2015 local council elections as the PN has moved forward and can and will the next general elections”.
“When becoming Secretary General, I knew what I was getting into. I spent many sleepless nights. I ask that you remember me for the decisions I made which needed to be made, and not for the people who might have been hurt along the way. Year after year I rose through the different party structures, however I have always been here. I came with one scope, to work for the Maltese and Gozitan people. I was asked to help rebuild the party as there was the need and without fear I said that I was ready to serve. I love this party as I am convinced it will be the best choice for progress in this country”.
“The Party is asking me to serve in Gozo, where it needs me right now. The local councils showed that out of 8 localities, we only saw gains in two, and the party accepts the electorate’s decision however will also respond to it. I will do all that is asked. I will serve in Gozo and will do so with energy and determination for the PN to again regain the Gozitans’ confidence. This is the arty that will come out with the best policies for Gozo and will begin working on a strategy for Gozo while working to find new Gozitan candidates”.
“Today we have a government that threw away every promise of transparency. “We have two categories in society today due to this government, one Premiere and one second class”.
He spoke of Sai Mizzi’s high salary, and that government has now bought her a 2 million euro office in Shanghai without any information as to what she does there.” I am fed up of hearing David Thake try and contact Sai Mizzi. Our representative in Shanghai should be reachable and anyone who needs to contact her must be able to”.
“Cyrus Engerer, after receiving a two year suspended sentence, has been sent to Brussels with a high wage, Manuel Mallia is also part of the Premier, where the Prime Minister again wants to give him more power. In the second division lie the honest nationalists and labourites, self-employed and businessmen and environmentalists. The people have begun turning to the PN. We can win the next elections however this can only occur if the people see us being better than Labour, and not only because they view Labour in a negative light”.
"Precarious work is increasing at a phenomenal rate, he said, arguing that he has spoken to many people. He mentioned that the Gozo Hospital employs 900 workers and they are unsure of their future. “Power has gone to Labours’ head. People will also say that the PN loss served for the party to rebuild and become a party for the people".
He is convinced that the executive will choose the best candidate for Secretary General. "We are half way to our goal, however we still have the road ahead. We must walk the whole road to arrive where we want to. It is not a post for those who want popularity, it is mostly a behind-the-scenes job. The new Secretary General must continue to work to open up the party and work to again bring those people who moved away from the party as well as those who never voted for this party".
He stressed that he will be there to help whoever is chosen for the post of Secretary General and thanked Dr Simon Busuttil for the support he has given him. "There were moments where I felt like I was giving up, however Dr Busuttil and the Deputy Leaders always gave me the energy to push forward".