The long discussion started with an analysis of the European Parliament election and local council election results. Many people expressed their appreciation of the analysis, which they described as an ‘objective one’, an analysis that can help the party understand what happened in the elections.

Speakers then gave their opinions. Although not all opinions voiced were in complete agreement with each other, one train of thought in most of the opinions expressed was to underline that the party must act as a team. Support was pledged to party leader Lawrence Gonzi, even by those who had endorsed John Dalli in the leadership race. Mr Dalli himself was at the meeting. There were absolutely no words spoken by anyone, sources said, which indicated a split between the ‘Dalli’ team and the ‘Gonzi’ team. On the contrary, speaker after speaker told Dr Gonzi: You are our leader and we are right behind you.

Another issue on which there was wide agreement regarded the importance of decisions being taken and not being allowed to fester undecided. A case in point, mentioned by many speakers, regarded the rent laws. The common feeling seems to have been that this subject has long been mentioned but nothing done about it. It is an issue which affects the middle class, the class which was most negatively affected by many government decisions over the recent years.

As regards the golf course issue, this too has been pending a decision for years: a decision must be taken and the issue decided, one way or another.

It was also stressed that one factor which must have influenced the electorate’s decision on 12 June, was the state of the economy, over which the party and the government have limited influence. Had the economy been in a better shape and had there been full employment, the electorate could have voted otherwise. Again, if there is restructuring which must be carried out, it must be done now, because if this is not accomplished now it would have to be done in three years’ time with far more serious consequences.

It was also argued that the party has now been in power for almost 20 years and it is inevitable that public opinion turns against the party in government. Change must therefore continue within the party and the people must be given new faces on a constant basis.

Some voiced their disagreement with Dr Fenech Adami’s election to the presidency although it was admitted that this may not have influenced the voting pattern. Others reflected on the complaints made by those who wanted what they had no right to have and who blamed the party and the government for not giving people what they wanted.