While preparing to pen this piece I came across the following quote which is attributed to André Paul Guillaume Gide.  “Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” Guillaume Gide was a French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1947.  I believe the quote has been used by others on different occasions.  Irrespective of who is to be credited I am taking the liberty to borrow it for this piece.  

Allow me to put you in the picture.  After the PN was defeated at the polls in 2013, the PN pledged to come closer to the electorate.   In the findings of the report which was commissioned and released after the 2013 electoral defeat it emerged that the PN in office was disconnected from the electorate.  

During the Gonzi administration the PN appeared insensitive to the concerns of the electorate albeit the Gonzi administration was entirely focusing and working tirelessly and taking measures to mitigate the negative effects emanating from the world-wide recession which were reaching our shores.  But human nature being what it is the electorate was disappointed with the PN’s performance and opted for a change.   Of course, there were other serious shortcomings which contributed for the PN’s massive electoral defeat in the 2013 general election.     

This brings me to the Simon Busuttil leadership term.  Under the stewardship of Busuttil the PN embarked on a wide range of initiatives which included the revision of the statute of the party.  The purpose was precisely to beef up the party structures.  Attracting different people from various walks of life to the party was clearly to way forward.   It has been said and even penned on many occasions, but for the benefit of those who were too busy to listen or read, I will repeat it again.  All the good intentions and promises in the world are not enough if actions are incomplete and/or inadequate.   The PN must reconnect with the electorate and this can only be done if party members are engaged in a structured meaningful process.    

It is customary, for any political party, not only in Malta, but in all democratic societies wherein the political party entrusted with office fails to be re-elected the first promise which is made is to get closer to the people.  The new leader of the PN, Adrian Delia is not any different he has pledged to come closer to the people.      

Whether the promise is lip service or otherwise is something completely different and depends on many characteristics.   In normal circumstances the electorate supports a political party which is capable to recognise the vibes in the community.   Once the vibes are identified a political party skilfully articulate the proposals in simple plain language and disseminate them amongst the electorate for grabs and ownership.      

Governments are expected to execute and implement their electoral promises, maximise the potential, reform whatever needs to be restructured,  take calculated risks after commissioning  the necessary due diligence exercises,  and zig zag around all threats which may surface from time to time be they of our own making or imported and thus beyond our control.  The party in opposition has to propose studied alternatives. 

Here I am taking the liberty to make some recommendations.  Let me begin with the General Council.  The General Council is the supreme body of the Nationalist Party but few are the councillors, if ever, take the microphone to air their views.  I consider the party councillors as the middleman between the grass roots and the officials of the party.  Without referring to the last General Council which was sui generis in more ways than one wherein the new Party leader Adrian Delia delivered his first speech to the party councillors while the outgoing president of the General Council, the two deputy leaders and the general secretary delivered their last speech to the party councillors since they have all resigned after the last general election.   

In my opinion the only two officials who invariable should address the General Council are two; the leader of the party and the secretary general. Members of parliament and MEPs should not be allowed to address the General Council unless there are extraordinary circumstances in which case their speech should not exceed five minutes.  Party councillors should be encouraged to make their views heard.    

During the last PN general council, undoubtedly, George Vidal Zammit, Lecturer at the University of Malta in Public Policy delivered an excellent speech which should be discussed thoroughly at all levels in the party structures.   Such guests should be invited more often.      

A blanket statement would not be appropriate but from what I gather, committee members of the party in various localities are more inclined to give a helping hand in organising wine and pizza parties and fund raising activities which although important committee members should be encouraged to engaged in the political debate more frequently.  Party policies should be first discussed at grass root levels and any comments, findings and reports should be sent to the office of the secretary general within a defined period of time.

The party relies on an informed public debate with a plurality of voices reflecting the range of needs and interests of the electorate.  This ensures that our elected representatives can take into account the interests of the entire community, not just powerful business or political interests.

The PN must at the very earliest send a strong positive message to all loyal party supporters but more importantly to the electorate.  The PN is prepared to listen.

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