Thirteen may be perceived unlucky.  For the widest possible of margins gained in the last general election, this does not apply to the PL leadership, loyal followers and allies.  Conversely, the Nationalist Party Leadership waits impatiently for midnight to strike twelve tomorrow, with the hope that this will mark the end of a period of convalescence. During the past months the diagnoses has been made and, with the right prescriptions and doses, the PN should be back on its feet again.    

A few days after Dr Simon Busuttil was elected Party leader, and the media frenzy faded away, he moved briskly into his office at the PN headquarters. After a short orientation period and a quick look into the office drawers and cupboards, he took his jacket off, untied his tie, rolled up his sleeves and pondered from where to start. The announcement of a number of task-oriented commissions made news shortly. Since then, some of these commissions have finalised their work and reported back to the leadership of the Party with their findings and recommendations.

Dr Francis Zammit Dimech was appointed chair of the commission tasked with the revision of the Party statute.  Together with others, I was appointed to this commission.   After a long consultation process across the islands the commission met to discuss and finalise the findings.  It was a laborious process but a productive one - I hope. From the word go, the commission recognised that changing for the sake of change will not be of any benefit and not worth the trouble and hassle.  Many have contributed constructively and significant proposals were made by a substantial number of politically seasoned ladies and gentlemen with a wealth of hands-on experience. 

We have also met the odd ‘smart’ guy who, notwithstanding the heavy electoral defeat suffered by the PN had the cheek to refer to Party members as “kabocci”.  This kind of arrogance makes me and many others sick. Obviously, the statute will not address this sort of behaviour but this has to be addressed and stopped outright.              

This long consultation process is now coming to an end.  This is an opportunity and a challenge which should attract the interest of all Party members, whose input is necessary to further enrich the debate.

As many would know the statute is a set of rules and regulations which will provide for, if not all, then at least for most of the ‘sticky’ situations that may from time to time arise. The statute may be described as a useful reference guide-book.  Like most things in life, statutes age and may even become irrelevant if not amended and updated. Statutes are neither static nor irreversible.  Statutes lay down written terms and conditions allowing for members, from the most senior official to a new affiliate, to know their rights and obligations.  Generally, the statute is amended, approved and adopted during a purposely convened extraordinary general conference.   

At this juncture it is useless for Party members to engage in any form of unconstructive murmuring.   Murmuring and grumbling will not achieve any form of productive result, nor will it foster comradeship.  The only productive way forward is for members to take the microphone and speak their mind within the structures of the Party.  Party members should not accept as a fait accompli the recommendations or the proposals which are presented by the commission. Party members must have the final word.  This will ensure ownership of the new statute which should be one of the first important cornerstones of a Party which is working hard towards building new bridges with society.      

I hold the opinion that the statute should serve the Party well in all circumstances, both when the Party is called to serve the nation from the Opposition benches but with greater efficacy and able to hold well under pressure when the Party is called to spearhead the country.  The present structures of the Party provide well for both however changes are needed to better address emerging challenges.  What is undoubtedly needed is better representation of the grass roots in the structures of the Party. The Party needs to reconnect with people from different walks of life and structures should provide sufficiently to hear different views before formulating and adopting new policies.

I will not go into the merits of the proposed amendments for the Party statute.  These will be ably piloted by the Chairman of the Commission at the General Conference of the Party, details of which will be announced in due course.

I am sure some Party councillors may find the debate frustrating and at times exasperating.  You may rest assured that I know the feeling, but members should nonetheless take an active part in this important process.  Party members should take this challenge and participate to avoid a repetition of some bold mistakes of the past.  I trust that most, if not all, amendments proposed by the Commission should find the necessary support from Party councillors.

While objectively it is recognised that, nation-wide, the Nationalist Party in Office has served these islands well and has been a catalyst for many important national decisions which improved the quality of life of people. It is common knowledge that the same Party unnecessarily and more frequently than one could imagine failed during the implementation process. This has pushed away many loyal Party supporters. This must be addressed and Party members should have a say now and when the Party is returned to lead these islands.  

The Party will be able to take on new challenges if the new statute is able to give a new lease of life to the Party clubs around the islands.  Most have run out of steam and are not functioning as party hubs.  A broader role should revive these hubs.  Discussions about pizza size or whether this is round or square-shaped should not make it to the Party hub agenda. Party members should discuss Party politics and the way forward and make recommendations to the Party leadership.  In all circumstances, feedback is of the outmost importance. Empowering Party members should be at the very centre of the amended Party statute.        

Hopefully during the coming General Conference, apart from Dr Zammit Dimech who will be piloting the amendments, many other councillors would take the stand, face the leadership team and the assembly and express their line of thought even if it is at a tangent.  The views of Party members are equally important to that of the officials of the Party. This is a time for Party members to make their voices heard.  

Party members should now seek to have a loud, strong voice to avoid the new leadership team of the Party to make a repetition of past mistakes. The new statute of the Party should not be or be perceived to be an application of glossy lip-stick and face powder to an old lady who prefers to hide her age. The PN needs more than a cosmetic surgery. I trust that all interested Party members, councillors, and the new leadership team will take this challenge and turn it into a golden opportunity.       

 I wish all readers a Happy and a Prosperous New Year.

Gejtu Vella

[email protected]