Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan. The sooner the electoral beating is accepted and dealt with, the sooner victory looms on the horizon. In the aftermath of yet another disappointing electoral result, PN supporters and others are picking up courage to speak their mind or pen their thoughts. This is healthy if done for the right reasons. Amongst those floating their views prominently are persons who seemed to have worked closely with Dr Simon Busuttil. Others have held senior posts in the Gonzi administration, while others go back to that led by Eddie Fenech Adami. Some carry huge baggage, and the less they are allowed to engage in the shaping of PN’s future the better it would be.
After the PN’s defeat, those within the inner circles but evidently with an axe to grind are on the loose. Others, who had left or were shown the door, are back too. The daggers and sharpened knives are out. Shylock's infamous demand for the pound of flesh comes to mind.
In the past days the onslaught continued, with more posts, writings and interviews. Without a doubt, someone has to carry the can for the dismal electoral result. In this regard, the leadership of the PN has already assumed responsibility. Likewise, it is equally important to identify what went wrong in the PN’s electoral strategy. But this process should be a made in an objective and respectful manner.
What I find rather disgusting in some of the views expressed are, to put it mildly, comments made by those who during the Fenech Adami and Gonzi administrations made life hell for loads of people. And now, they pontificate about the revival of the PN. Had I not known these Pharisees from a very close distance through my role in the trade union movement during the Fenech Adami, Sant and Gonzi administrations I would be impressed by their statements. Luckily, I know them too well.
In my humble opinion, what has been lacking in the PN in the past decade are:
- The once open dialogue with stakeholders and the general public has been missing and should be reintroduced forthwith. Photocopying the PL should stop immediately. What works for the PL does not necessary work for the PN. Individual interests and personal agendas should be restrained and substituted by collective efforts. Party councillors should be given ample time to vent their opinions. If necessary, one of the sessions of the General Council should be closed for the media. Deep-seated issues between the PN and some of the PN’s loyal supporters should be addressed head on.
- Whether running a business, a non-governmental organisation, a small club in a village or a political party, its purpose and aim should be well defined in the statute; but these should be refined to reflect the needs of a changing society. The Roman Catholic Church, the largest Christian church with over 1.29 billion members worldwide and one of the oldest religious institutions in the world, has recognised that changes are necessary and what used to be no-go areas in my childhood are now being looked at differently. The Church has acknowledged that societies have changed and courageously sought to embrace members living on the periphery of its teachings. The PN should take heed.
- Of course, strategies are important but to be successful, before any strategy is devised a set of parameters must be laid down. But strategies need a leader. As a start, the leader has to show astuteness, a firm hand, honesty, fairness, and be streetwise; but those around any leader are to be loyal, offer their undivided all to the leader, and make theirs all decisions taken democratically.
- By and large, politicians use the same principles applied by most commercial businesses to advertise their product. Thriving companies are constantly engaged with their customers. Successful companies anticipate their customers' needs, and constantly develop innovative products and services to keep their customers satisfied.
- At the other end of the spectrum, politicians have a similar thrust and are constantly trying to create value for their constituents by improving the quality of life, creating more benefits and ensuring a higher standard of living at minimum costs. The PN should engage in people’s aspirations.
- Those who unconditionally worked assiduously during the past four years must be flabbergasted by the PN’s heavy electoral defeat. Nonetheless, in my assessment, there must be some within the party who were delighted with the calamitous defeat. These masquerade as bleeding hearts for the PN but can easily qualify as actors, capable of any leading role in any theatre performance. These impersonators must be weeded out.
- The new leadership must identify and remove self-serving individuals and ensure that those entrusted with any role in the party’s administration have the common good at heart and no other interest. In my opinion, a group of supposedly frontline PN stalwarts were only protecting and pushing forward their personal agenda. They did not give a hoot about the electoral performance of the PN.
- Unfortunately, the word ‘collective responsibility’ has long been erased from the PN’s folds. Serving the common good was not on the agenda of the make-belief PN proponents. Their only keen interest was to grasp the party in their hands and use it as a tool for their benefit.
While I acknowledge that the way ahead for the PN is a difficult one, this can be overcome if those entrusted with responsibilities within the PN are capable of working as a team together with the grass roots.
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