It is all but a formality now. Simon Busuttil needs two thirds of the votes which are to be cast in today’s election but there is no doubt that he will reach the tally, especially after his closest rival, Mario de Marco, told those who voted for him to now vote for Simon.

Simon has a daunting task ahead of him. The PN is in severe financial difficulties, but the bigger task is to unite the disparate factions that have been feuding for years on end. His first job will be to deliver a ‘victory speech’, but seeing how the campaign played out, it is unlikely that he will be rabble rousing. He will try to take a conciliatory approach and urge everyone to unite behind him to sort out both the logistical problems, and another important issue. In recent history, the PN was always the natural choice to vote for. Labour used to be a spectre of the past, a nasty reminder of turbulent times. But now, agree or not, the majority of the population see it as the party which indeed is progressive and is addressing issues which the conservative party always tried to ignore – divorce, same sex unions, updating of the constitution, minority views and general openness in our society. He needs to turn the PN around and convince people that aside from being good at the day to day administration, this illustrious party can indeed once again become a party of the people.

It is dangerous ground. Simon needs to tread carefully, but if he plays his cards right, he can get the backing of the party, and in turn once again, make it into an attractive option to the voter, the common citizen.

Malta has progressed a lot in the past years of PN administration, but that progress was largely in the fields of finances, open economy and stability. In terms of civil society, the party fared badly. When in government, it ignored people for far too long and chose to ignore everyday bread and butter issues which were always simmering beneath the surface.

Is Simon the right man to do it? Time will tell. But he needs a good team around him. He needs good people who are loyal to the party and loyal to its beliefs. But, the question to be asked is… what are the party’s beliefs? They need to change. Some beliefs need to remain constant, but others need to be overhauled; and radically.

John Spiteri

Santa Venera