At the same time that the Prime Minister had to admit that he was not in a position to keep his biggest pre-election promise -couldn't build the power station within two years (surprise surprise) -, to add insult to injury, the Prime Minister decided to deny what he had actually stated on national television just a few months ago (yes, he has now denied that he told us that he would resign if the new power station was not built by March 2015). The Nationalist Party, on the other hand, has been busy keeping its promises. 

One of the conclusions drawn by the commission set up to study the result of the last election was the absolute need for the party to reconnect and open up. To reconnect with its own members by not limiting important meetings to its councillors only, and by opening up to different sectors of society!

Dr Simon Busuttil was determined, yes, very determined that these recommendations would not remain just that, and he was equally determined that the new statute which came hot on the heels of the report, would provide for the holding of a Konvenzjoni (convention) to which all the members of the party would be invited to participate, together with representatives of the diverse sectors of our society. The idea behind the Konvenzjoni was not to feed the party faithful more of the same but to create a debate, to discuss new ideas for the country and yes, for the party. The idea to hold a Konvenzjoni entitled "Idea Malta" was born. It was held last week end and it was a huge success. It was attended by a cross section of the population and addressed by people from various backgrounds leading to a cross fertilisation of ideas which gave it a very novel and unique feel. It was different and it was an enriching experience.

It is precisely this sort of event which strengthens the party's fundamental principles, who it is and what it stands for. How can the Nationalist Party ever forget its fundamental principles of democracy, solidarity, understanding and respect for all and sundry that are the basic tenets of our Christian Democratic beliefs which, in 1986, were underlined in our "PN Fehmiet Basici"? This means that the party is obliged to continue to strengthen its connectivity with people by keeping its ear to the ground continuously seeking to understand and open up to the people it is duty bound to serve and to represent!

What the Nationalist Party did yesterday week was to listen, understand and absorb the trials, tribulations and challenges of persons who are perceived to be different because they have a physical or mental disability or because of  their sexual orientation, or because of the colour of their skin, or because of the cruel tricks life occasionally throws at some of us, destroying overnight what was considered till then, a perfect family unit, is the very  epitome of respect, solidarity and understanding. Frankly if the Nationalist Party were not to open itself to these realities then the Nationalist Party would be failing to honour its basic and fundamental principles.

And it is for this reason that I was very proud, very proud indeed to participate in our first Konvenzjoni. I must admit too, that I found it rather amusing, if not ironic that while the party that had lost a general election 19 months ago with not an insignificant amount of votes, was very obviously getting its act together and was, as I said some time ago "back in business", our Prime Minister was and is getting into a tighter and tighter corner, with "good governance", "transparency", and "accountability" all going straight out of the window. 

While Dr Busuttil was giving one of his most passionate, engaging and convincing speeches so far, reminding us so very much of the Simon Busuttil in EU referendum mode, underling the importance of truthfulness, honesty, of integrity in the politics he believes in, the Prime Minister was rather laboriously trying to convince his faithful that he never said what he had said on state television. 

Ah, probably they, like him, must have watched an edited version of Dissett. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Dr Fenech is president of the Executive Committee of the Nationalist Party.