The recently appointed leadership team of the Nationalist Party must look deeply into the merits and demerits of the previous government. The style adopted and who was behind and taking the decisions which led to the disastrous PN electoral defeat need to be examined now that the Commission led by Dr. Ann Fenech has handed the report to Dr. Simon Busuttil, leader of the PN. This process should help the new leadership of the PN to avoid a repetition of the same gross mistakes in future. In my opinion this report should be used for this purpose only.

While there is no question that, on a national level, the PN in government mostly charted a route that was successful on many important issues, when dealing with individual claims the Nationalist Party in government failed the test miserably. Thousands of people believed that the Nationalist Party in government grew too big for its shoes. The growling and roaring sounds of the people was mistaken for music by those who primarily were duty bound to assist and aid people sort out their grievances.

One case in point, and very telling of the alienation most felt towards the PN in government, was last Sunday when with my wife I was invited to visit long time family friends to their fields. The family we visited is a large family, with spouses, in-laws, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In a nutshell they are a small crowd! They own sporadic patches of fields in which they grow various crops. I was told that, weather permitting they will soon be able to start picking the sweet-tasting figs. Their joy is to invite people to their fields, entertain them to lunch and, at the end of the day, give each family a basketful of whatever fresh crops they have in their fields.

The hosts, rather old and gnarled like the branches of the nearby carob trees, have worked for most of their years in the fields. Their children are not overly interested in working the fields, and to a lesser degree their grandchildren. They had opted for less back-breaking and strenuous work.

Indeed, this is a heavenly place where one can unwind and rejuvenate his state of mind while reducing stress to a more acceptable level. The tranquility, the fresh air, the sound of water filling the man-made reservoir home for hundreds of goldfish, with the large family dog lazily sleeping in the shade are all part of the scenery which captures one’s imagination. It is a completely different environment, away from the hustle and bustle which many people, due to their daily binding engagements and commitments, have to attend. After some time in the fields we were served lunch, nothing formal. The traditional stewed rabbit and stuffed beef olives are well prepared by the old lady of the house. Inevitably, the spaghetti are, as always, slightly overcooked. Yet nobody dares complain. On the contrary we compliment the old lady for the tasty food she has served and for putting so much effort in its preparation. As one would expect, within minutes, plates are cleaned and spotless.

Here comes the crux. During the past three years, whenever I was invited to this peaceful place, the eldest man and owner of the fields always found the time to corner me with the same question, without fail in the presence of others invited to his place. The path leading to his fields had become very dangerous due to rain and other inclement elements and needed badly some mending and repairing.

I have strived to assist this family more than once. I have tried my luck with various ministries to no avail. Finally, I have surrendered his case due to the various reasons which were thrown at me from very senior people within the ministries. I will mention a few - it is not our ministry, no funds are available, it is the local council’s responsibility, people are not entitled to such road mending and other empty replies. I felt like falling between stools, finally I gave up.

To my surprise last Sunday, at the end of the day, the old man looked at me gleefully, raised his glass and with a gruff voice which I will remember for a long time said to all present that a new broom sweeps clean. His dangerous path full of potholes leading to his fields, which seemed to be his main concern in life, was addressed by the present administration to his satisfaction.

I was completely lost for words. Thankfully it was rather late in the evening and this, and the fine spirit flowing in plastic glasses saved my embarrassment. Although some smirked at the old man or made little reaction, others loudly expressed their anger at the PN for this small shortcoming. The old lady of the house, in support of her husband, claimed that the PN had not addressed their grievance and for the first time they have voted Labour. During the last electoral campaign they were promised that there long outstanding issue will be addressed and so it was! Although the some of the former senior ministries personnel in colourful ties and dark suit such a small thing seemed of little importance and trivial to them, to the old man that was his major concern.

I dare say that although most of those present have always supported the Nationalist Party during previous elections, at the last general election many of them have rallied and supported their old man. They have switched to Labour. No wonder the PN has suffered a massive defeat at the polls.

Meeting Karmenu, Rita, Pawlu, Zachary and Judith should remain at the heart of the new leadership strategy both today and even more so when the PN regains the trust of people. In this light I would take the liberty to encourage the new PN leadership not to focus exclusively around the lamppost where there is light but to venture and delve also where there is no light.

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