This month marks the half-way mark of this legislature. It is mid-road not just for Muscat’s government but also for Simon Busuttil’s Opposition. The polls have always shown Labour ahead but Busuttil has shown stamina and enthusiasm on a daily basis.

Working within his parliamentary group, I have had many opportunities to see him grow from strength to strength. His style is very different from previous leaders but a leader he definitely is. He always has a clear position about what he wants to do next and a long term vision as to where he wants to take the party and the country. Some may think he may not always look the part but he is very forceful and very determined.

I think we are at a point where people are understanding this new sense of different leadership. I meet fewer people who tell me they are not sure about Simon Busuttil as leader of the party and more people who see him as Prime Minister. People know that his style of leadership fits in perfectly within the European context but now they can see that he is leaving his mark on the local politics and on the people themselves.

Traditionally the PN has used the Independence festivities to open the political season, particularly through the mass meeting held on the eve of Independence Day. This year was no exception. Yet, it was also definitely different. The PN wanted to show that things are changing within itself and these changes had to reflect a daring move for all the grassroots of the party.

Moving the celebrations from the Floriana granaries to Valletta was an experiment. It turned out to be a success. Although I believe there were small issues with getting used to the new space, the message was very clear. PN has huge respect for the past (of the country and the party itself) but it is a forward-looking party, a party of leaders of vision.

Celebrating within the restored entrance of our capital gave a different meaning to the events taking place. Let’s face it, Labour has never accepted the new parliament building and the restored theatre as designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Renzo Piano.

As part of the PN celebrations for Independence, PN MPs were given the opportunity to accompany visitors to the new parliament on a mini tour. I too had the privilege. In one of my groups there was a lady who asked me a very pertinent question while crossing the bridge from one parliament block to another. “Did they (meaning Labour) accept this project?”

Of course not. Labour has had to swallow this project like very bitter medicine. It has not used the building beyond the necessary use of the chamber and very few Labour MPs use the designated meeting spaces and offices unless they have to.

It was natural for PN to celebrate and feel comfortable in the new Valletta entrance. Labour are trying to give the impression that they are OK with it too. Edward Scicluna has used Piano’s stairs as a backdrop and front cover for his pre-budget document. A designer would know how appropriate the stairs are but I am sure some eyebrows were raised at the choice.

Back to the PN Independence celebrations, as planned, Simon Busuttil’s speech was definitely the highlight of the four-day event. The speech had a strong leadership message from a man who aims to take the Opposition to Government with himself as Prime Minister: “We’ll be the change you really want” was the main theme of a very well written and excellently delivered speech.

While giving tribute to the past and acknowledging the hard work at hand to bring the party on its feet, Simon Busuttil’s speech was, on the one hand, forcefully critical of the major political disasters and scandals with Muscat as Prime Minister but, on the other, forward-looking with determination as a force to be reckoned with and not to be taken for granted.

I am sure Muscat took note.