Today we celebrate Valentine's day.  A day for commitments, desires and love.  Political parties are hardly our dream lover but I wonder if it’s time to see if we have fallen out of love with Mr Right and Mr Left.

Could we be up for a new affair? 

As is known to happen in some relationships, there comes a time when you feel that you have been working too hard on keep things going and there is the sense that a fresh start may be just what you need.  What or where is the alternative, though?

These days it continues to feel like we are still in election mode, that the government of Joseph Muscat has not entered Castille as such, but uses it just as a venue for high tea or hiding contracts and storing podiums.  The Government opposition to the allocation of the two PN parliamentary seats only emphasises the prevalent mentality around the hall, of a contest.  Are they still behind the Perspex looking over their shoulder?  How does their position serve the people and democracy?

Ordinary voters are not to blame if they feel they are still waiting for the right man to come along.   The new PN only reminds us of our Ex.   And Labour is the post PN as it waddles through the damaged goods of lost baggage. 

The PN looks ahead and wants to think it can leapfrog the post PN Labour but the people, for now at least, don’t quite seem to be in the mood for getting back together. 

The time is right for new beginnings.  Not a small party with limited ambitions.  But a strong, viable and dependable party that is willing to challenge the minds of people and go all the way to taking power. 

The man for the job, in my mind, is Joe Borg, ex EU Commissioner and ex Minister of Foreign Affairs.  With him, as deputy, will be Tonio Fenech.  And they together can then do the job of attracting some good brains and hearts to the party. 

The policies and agenda would be created with middle class and honest hard working people at the core of the programme with fair and balanced proposals that meet the needs of the country as a whole. Urgent problems should be tackled immediately with a resolve to find solutions that work.  It should not be another PN in all but size and colour but an individual and free party.  Most of all, it should start to work as soon as it is created and it should work to be created as soon as it can.  Policies come naturally when you have the identity.  You follow your principles and ensure justice, security and a good economy and remember that you are there to serve the people and the country. The rest should come naturally, especially if you have the trust of the people.

Needless to say, those who have had the experience of trying to present another option to voters, will know how hard it can be to penetrate the political scene.  The difference would be that this new party would have in its DNA the will and determination to convince people from left, centre and right, that it intends to present the candidates and have them elected and that its mission is to lead, serve and govern.

The Labour movement was an affair that quickly showed its true nature.  Never have things been as old and boring as with all these secret pacts that are emerging one after the other for this and that voter group.  So dead. So for the history bin.  Recycling of old goods presented as the latest model.  The air of secrecy around is stifling and each day brings another reject story for new consumption.  In what world today does anyone encourage illegality and roll back hard won policies that are meant to safeguard the environment and create a structure for development?  Where do you find wanton disregard of cultural values and national investment for the sake of the few who feel entitled?

But it’s not just about escaping the doom and gloom.  People can find the courage and consciousness to form a new perspective and follow a bold and innovative party.  Why should it be just the far right or far left parties that gain traction?  There is ample room for a new party to forge itself,  that can be made up of a good mix of technocrats and solid values with unbiased opinions, that is mainstream and listens and respects our identity, culture and heritage.  A good hand on the economy is also essential.

None of this can happen unless there is the belief and willingness to step forward for the job. Commitment and the urge to fulfill a potential must also be present.  A vision of a different future to the one we are used to.  What should it be called?  Let’s have some fun coming up with names.  Send in your comments.

Is this destiny calling?  Or just a Valentine’s day dream?