I started drafting this opinion earlier last week and finished it late Sunday evening. The race between the four gentlemen is now over. Dr. Simon Busuttil will be the Leader of the Nationalist Party.  Mr. Raymond Bugeja was eliminated with the least number of votes, while the other two contestants decided not to race against Simon in the second round scheduled for tomorrow.  The three contestants publicly declared their support and loyalty to the new leader.  This has to trickle down to all party councilors, supporters and campaigners of the other contestants to avoid a repetition of the dreadful aftermath which followed the previous leadership contest between Lawrence, John and Louis.           

During the past weeks the Nationalist Party was going through the process of electing a new leader for the Party, after the former leader and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi shouldered the result of the last general election and decided to let go.  Meeting people in cafeterias, clubs, village squares and other places, many, irrespective of their political allegiance, refrain from pointing their fingers at Dr. Gonzi; unless they have a personal axe to grind, many are prepared to give other reasons for the heavy PN electoral defeat.

In my opinion, a multitude of issues led to the PN’s huge defeat at the polls.  Soon enough the Commission appointed by the Party will be in a position to throw some light on past wrongdoings and shortcomings.   Although, in any case, what’s done is done, this analysis should serve for future reference and help avoid a repeat of the same mistakes. 

In the process to elect a new leader, four gentlemen decided that, for the sake of the nation, they must stand up and be counted; and this in one of the worst moments in recent history of the Nationalist Party.  Rightly so their mettle was loudly cheered and applauded on Saturday evening.  Dr. Busuttil emerged as the winner in this contest. Now the real work begins. Dr. Busuttil is not in for a nice piece of cake! 

During the period I was directly involved in the trade union movement, I had the opportunity and privilege to work with various administrations, including Gonzi’s.  When I moved on from this movement, I became a Party soldier. This put me closer to the Party and gave me a greater insight into its workings.  Working from within, I was able to make a more informed opinion of the party. It is now more than obvious that a better level of communication is needed within the whole organisation, having said that, I feel confident that the Party train will soon start moving forward. 

Over the past weeks, it was a breath a fresh air for Party councilors to be invited to meet the four contestants separately, while numerous social activities were organised.  Professionally designed glossy publications, with inspiring messages, came through the post box.  Councilors had the opportunity to raise questions and query statements made by the hopefuls in one-to-one personal meetings.  The social media was barely resorted to while personal contact was outstandingly used to communicate with councilors.   Many strategies were outlined by the contestants; however one point was unequivocally raised by all four.  Although the words may have been different and methods diverse, one clear message was made by all contestants - re-connect the party to the grass roots. 

I went through the salient proposals of all four candidates and followed most of the interviews.  It struck me, and I am sure others noticed too, that all candidates prominently placed on their agenda the need to effectively and meaningfully reconnect the party with the grass roots.  It is encouraging to note that, on this issue, there is the total convergence of all the candidates.  On paper it seems like an easy task, sort of a simple issue.  It is unfortunately not at all.  Organising people in a broad based organisation, unifying their efforts towards a common objective which inspires one and all is a huge task.  One must be prepared to invest many hours to achieve a broad consensus between the grass roots and the higher echelons of the party. Giving councilors ample time and space to air their views in a structured manner on issues which the party’s senior officials for various reasons cannot experience first-hand, remains central to the new agenda of the party. 

This becomes even more difficult as it seems that, in the foreseeable future, there are no national challenges apart from the amateurish present administration! It is becoming glaringly obvious that the PL’s electoral campaign slogan, or rather the political bait dangled at the electorate, will soon find its way to the scrapheap. The many mistakes and shortcomings of the new administration simply take one’s breath away. Basic issues like transparency and meritocracy have already been thrown out of the window.  The new administration has pledged many promises and is now finding the toll to live up to its promises somewhat difficult and too heavy to shoulder.  As the saying goes, words are cheap.

While in Opposition the PN must take some bold decisions which will come in useful when the party regains the driving seat.  Once the party is re-elected to government, ministers, parliamentary secretaries and their secretariats should be held accountable to the Prime Minister.  That is a given.  However, I strongly feel that their performance should also be scrutinized in a bi-annual convention in which party councilors are invited to air their views on achievements obtained … or otherwise.  Councilors should also have a say in the direction the party is taking.  In my opinion, the party must remain a strong solid force even when elected to implement its electoral programm.  While it is necessary for the party to hold general conferences and many other activities open to the media and the general public to ensure both transparency, and that the party message is disseminated within the public domain, it would be more than appropriate to organise bi-annual conventions without the need of the media to be present.  After all, various meetings are convened behind closed doors in all organisations, including the election of the Pope, to mention just one.  Cardinals meet behind closed doors. There are staged managed conferences and there are productive meaningful meetings. The party should opt more for the second type.

I recall instances when the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development was about to lose the significant value and important role that social partners play within the Council simply because of the unnecessary media attention it was getting.  In actual fact, various proposals under discussion within the Council did not necessitate any media attention.  In most cases when issues came under the media spotlight, unnecessary speculation followed which compounded matters even further. At that time, others and I made our views known to the former able MCESD Chairman and it was unanimously decided that the media should only be invited when deemed necessary.   

Back to the leadership of the Nationalist Party, in the eyes of many, this may be perceived to be a mammoth task.  Indeed it is, but this gives the new leader an opportunity to adjust, redesign and take corrective measures to lead a Party which can take on present and new challenges.  To my mind these are challenging times.  Party supporters should take the initiative and participate in constructing and shaping the policies and strategies for the future. It would be wrong for Party supporters and other sympathisers from all walks of life to abandon ship now.  Like the pendulum of a grandfather clock it swings from one side to the other repeatedly.             

Once the Party has all statutory officials in place, new policies, design, direction and the creation of new strategies for the Party will be the next important task.  It would be appropriate for the new leader to seek, take on board and implement initiatives proposed by the other candidates, which can dovetail in the broader strategy of the new leader.   The Party is in need to regain fresh energies and new methodologies to be able to inspire people with a new political dream.

* Writing about these issues and living in the fast lane may be important, but on reflection I wonder what is important in life, when Joseph, octogenarian, departed peacefully on Workers’ Day. Thank you Dad for everything, I will surely miss your wit and spirit.