In his court testimony, Edward Scicluna admitted to the existence of a "kitchen cabinet", which he refused to defy due to concerns over his political career.

By making his statement, he highlighted the courage and integrity of Marlene Farrugia and Godfrey Farrugia, and thus of Partit Demokratiku, which was set up in defiance to a corrupt and murderous regime.

Like every other party in Malta since all the trouble began, Partit Demokratiku has undergone its own changes. It has outgrown its founders, to take on an identity of its own, and charted a new destiny in union with Alternattiva Demokratika, seeking good governance and environmental sustainability. Nonetheless, the principles upon which Partit Demokratiku have founded remain the same, and are the bedrock of third party politics. With the benefit of hindsight, it is now time to take stock of the journey which got us to this point, and consider the road ahead.

One of the definitive moments for Partit Demokratiku was the Forza Nazzjonali coalition. It was an alliance of principle and shared values, built on a joint manifesto and on a terrible urgency to rescue the country from the brink of ruin. The failure of the coalition to win that election was misinterpreted by the coalition leadership.

Rather than build on the positive energy and enthusiasm, the leadership of both Partit Demokratiku and the Partit Nazzjonalista resigned. The power vacuum led to the rise of Adrian Delia and thus, the dissolution of the coalition, as Partit Demokratiku was used as a scapegoat.

Daphne Caruana Galizia, in turn, rightly stated that as a consequence Partit Nazzjonalista abandoning its message, Partit Demokratiku would "grow as a consequence of this because of its committed stance against government corruption". For a long time after indeed, Partit Demokratiku would serve as the only consistent party rallying against corruption, refusing to bend or change its message.

Facing down incredible odds, Partit Demokratiku maintained its loyalty to the principles of the coalition, and continued to state uncomfortable truths and point out that what is wrong is wrong.

When even Partit Nazzjonalista shied away from criticising questionable projects because of party sponsors or a desire to focus on bread and butter issues, Partit Demokratiku was there to fill in the breach.

Partit Demokratiku stood in solidarity with civil society and with all those who, in Daphne Caruana Galizia's words, remained "committed" in their "stance against government corruption".

Committed to objectivity and fairness, and founded as a common space for principled Nationalists and Labourites to come together as equals for a better country, Partit Demokratiku did not hesitate to criticise anyone or anything.

Throughout the past years, Partit Demokratiku recognised that Alternattiva Demokratika shared most of its own values and also its underlying vision for a healthy pluralistic democracy. Thus it was inevitable for the sake of a less fragmented Opposition that the two entered into merger talks, which led to a historic agreement being reached. While differences are inevitable, it was in the same spirit of seeking common ground that led to the 2017 coalition that the differences were overcome. In this time of renewal, Partit Nazzjonalista is itself now facing a possible change in leader.

Should it return to the principles and values of Forza Nazzjonali, consistent in the fight against corruption, then there would be scope once again for the third party to collaborate with Partit Nazzjonalista. Just as Alternattiva Demokratika was seen as a suitable partner, and was invited to Forza Nazzjonali in 2017, so too would AD/PD have common cause against corruption under a Nationalist leader who shares the same principles.

History vindicated Daphne Caruana Galizia and also Forza Nazzjonali. If the coalition had endured, expanded and remained on message, then it would be in position to win the next general election today. The results were misinterpreted in 2017; too much was expected too quickly. The past few years have taught us that remaining honest, persistent and committed to the right things is key.

Rotten foundations, in turn, must always crumble, no matter how tall a tower is built on them. An impenetrable wall is first brought down with a crack, and water carves valleys and canyons into the hardest rock. It is that consistency which proved Partit Demokratiku right as well, and it is those consistent principles which can bring the country together, and offer politics of service for everyone, putting an end to tribalism.

The only question is - once we agree on the same principles, can we set aside our superficial differences as well?