Nationalist Party leadership contestant Adrian Delia said the party should build bridges with those people who felt hurt by its behaviour in government.

In a message to councillors, members and sectional committee officials, Delia said he had met many people who did not vote PN because they felt the party was not listening to their problems and aspirations.

“I would like to go knocking on doors to apologise and bring back these people (to the party)”, he said, adding that it was not always the party which was to blame, but individuals who abused the power entrusted to them.

The new way of doing politics is for the party to humbly listen to people’s ideas, discuss them within the party and then come up with a policy. This process would involve a wide spectrum of people, not only of PN supporters, given that Labour voters are also saying they have been pushed aside because they do not form part of the clique.

“We have to open our doors and windows to bring in fresh air,” he said. “People who do not agree with us are attacking us and telling us not to change.”