After the incessant internecine fighting which wracked the Nationalist Party over the past five years, it was so refreshing to see men behave with dignity, loyalty, a sense of duty and above all else, camaraderie during the leadership vote on Saturday.

All four contestants were gracious, their behaviour impeccable. The three who lost behaved as losers should – gracefully, without bitterness and with loyalty to the new leader elect, Simon Busuttil. On the other hand, Dr Busuttil behaved as a winner should, without arrogance and with a sense of inclusion and respect for those who also threw their hat into the ring.

Ray Bugeja, who did remarkably well, considering that he has only been involved in local politics for a few weeks, conceded defeat gracefully with a speech in which he pledged to continue to work for the party. There was no rancor, no bitchiness and no spite. He meant exactly what he said, and this is the type of person that the PN needs if it is to regenerate and renew itself.

Ever affable, Francis Zammit Dimech epitomized commitment and loyalty, bowing out and saying that he will continue to serve the party and support the leader – whoever it was. He once again showed that he is one of the party’s most loyal and dependable servants.

Mario de Marco’s speech was a lesson for anyone who wants to be in politics, or is already involved. He bowed out of the competition, even though he could very well have drawn it out into a runoff this Wednesday with a chance of winning. He promised to be loyal to the new leader – Simon Busuttil – and said that “the time for competition is over”. After pulling out of the race, he urged those PN councilors who voted for him to vote for Simon Busuttil.

The scenes broadcast on television also spoke for themselves. All four men looked genuinely happy and the rest of the PN’s councilors also looked happy, perhaps sensing that at the time of grudges, splits and upheaval could finally be over.

Of course, it is not over yet. Dr Busuttil now has to go it alone on Wednesday – which of course, will be a foregone conclusion. Perhaps then we can expect a speech which will not be a traditional victory speech, but more of a rousing call to urge the PN’s followers to unite behind him and help him take the party forward.

This newspaper had asked Dr Busuttil a question in the runup to the campaign, asking him if he felt cut out to lead a party in local parliament, given that the forum he was previously in was more sedate. Dr Busuttil said: “If elected to lead the party, then I hope I can bring some of the European experience to the Maltese parliament.” A good answer indeed, especially when we consider that the leaders of both parties cut their teeth in the European Parliament in Brussels – both in 2004.  And so, it’s a new beginning for the PN and a chance for Simon Busuttil to make the PN a credible and healthy opposition. As we said at the start of this contest – may the best man win. It seems that he has. But above all, the PN must not exclude those who ran against Dr Busuttil and put them to the best possible use.