Nationalist Party contender for the post of deputy leader for Parliamentary affairs Edwin Vassallo feels that the PN can no longer remain complacent and at times believe they are better than others, concluding that he is a common man - a man who belongs to the people.

Interviewed by The Malta Independent on Sunday, Vassallo insists he wants to be labelled neither a conservative nor a liberal, asserting that the third option - the option in favour of reality and the common good - is where the party should head.

What do you believe are the three most important qualities a deputy leader of parliamentary affairs must hold?

Sincerity and faith in the people are the most important elements.

Basically, why do you want the PN councils and members to vote for you?

I believe I can bring people together. I want to be useful to the party members and for the leader so that in this delicate moment for the party I can bring everyone together.

What is your vision for the party and what will the party's 'new way' look like?

We need to start from the beginning, which means not getting rid of everything but continuing to build on the good that already exists and explore in a new way the cultural dialogue - a society where everyone is listened to, the type of culture where politicians give the people dialogue and the party becomes a place where everyone can find peace of mind.

Another important aspect, and part of the beauty of being together, is the respect for diversity, respect for the fact that we are all different, and the value of equality - the celebration of diversity, of different opinions and of different beliefs.

Will you help to lead the party in a conservative direction or a more liberal one?

I believe in the third option, which is sincerity and belief in the people. The third option is the one for the common good. When people label me as 'conservative', I know what I really am.

Yes it is true that society is not what it used to be, and all I want is for society to think. As politicians, we don't tell people what to do and I certainly don't tell people what to think; society decides what to do.

I don't really want to be labelled 'liberal' or 'conservative', we need to be realistic and the third option is that for the common good, which means respecting the vulnerable in society. In politics, I believe we need to face the issues of reality and seek this common good in a democratic way. I respect the majority vote and if I am in the minority, I would want to be respected and if I am in the majority, I will respect the minority.

What do you believe the PN must do to become re-electable again?

We have to make ourselves useful as a political party and, especially in politics, we have to make people have faith in us and I believe that together we can do better than the Labour Party is doing now.

Monday's budget leaves a lot more to be desired and proves that this government has no vision for the country. It is good at giving out little presents, handouts and favours to keep people happy, but a government should have a vision for everyone and this is where we can do better. But as a party we have to stop thinking we are better than we are because at times in the past we have thought we were better than others, and we weren't.

We cannot remain complacent. I am a common man and I belong to the people.

If you are not elected deputy leader, where do you see yourself working in the party? If you're not elected, will you resign?

No, I will not resign, I will just continue doing what I would have tried to do as deputy leader. This is what I said to Adrian Delia and it was after this meeting that I truly believed that I could this. I told him what I wanted to do and achieve and this way, as deputy leader, I can do it from a platform.

How is the party going to reconcile its financial problems?

People need to believe in us if they are to give us their donations: it is a question of faith and trust.

Did you agree with Simon Busuttil's coalition with Partit Demokratiku?

Yes, at the time I believed in it and it can still remain in place. I don't have a problem with it, it is simply a political relationship.