PN Leader Adrian Delia rallied the people to unite behind a common dream for a better Malta, highlighting the party's commitment to place the public at the centre of its policies, while also criticising Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's administration for creating a country "which sells everything to anyone."

Speaking at the closing of PN's General Council, Delia, who compared Malta to a mother throughout his address, said that the country has reached a point whereby the only way it is able to generate lives is by selling "our nationality, our identity, and our sovereignty."

"We are taking the money of the few, only to lose the value and identity of the many," he said.

Delia raised concerns about the lack of a long-term vision from the current government, saying that while currently there is wealth, without planning for the future it could not be sustained.

He added that the Maltese language was also under threat, referencing the initiative to include vocational Maltese as a subject.

"It a unique language around the world and is part of our identity, it gives us strength," he said.

On healthcare, he spoke specifically in reference to the sale of three state hospitals to VGH, who would later sell the concession to Steward. He said that the state should ensure that every person has the best care made available to them, instead the government is "putting essential things like health into the hands of people we do not even know."

"We have become a country that sells everything to anyone."

Delia, reference the motion that was passed at the General Council to begin involving more young people into the party, specifically a group targeting individuals from 14 to 17 of age, explaining that this was part of the PN's dialogue focused approach, and that the scope was not to simply involve them into the party and teach them about the party's structures but to bring fresh ideas and challenge the party on issues.

Delia outlines five pillars of party's vision

The PN Leader said that the party would be built on five pillars, the first of which would be the respect and dignity of every single person.

"We believe that life starts at conception. An embryo is not simply just eight cells," he said.

"We want a society which does not see a woman as an object or a statistic, which respects their choices as mothers and as professionals, in order to create models where the government recognises and helps any individual who contributes to the country."

Delia went on to highlight the country's underperforming educational sector, which sees only a third of all students further their studies beyond compulsory education.

"We need to discover every individual's talents and allow them to develop so they could serve the nation."

Education, he said, should remain a lifelong process.

He said that the Labour Party felt that it held a monopoly over the LGBTQI community, however, he reiterated the importance of inclusion within the PN.

Turning to the economic performance of the country, Delia said that while the government was generating a surplus and unemployment was low, a significant number of Maltese individuals are struggling to make ends meet.

"The reality is that there are people who have to work two to three jobs just to makes ends meet. We need to see the real problems of people and find solutions. What is being done to fight precariousness? What is being done to help those who are earning under minimum wage? We have to start looking at workers at people and not just as numbers. Workers need be able to improve their own condition and that of their children."

He referenced the rising rental markets, specifically with regards to the student population, with a number of Gozitans who study in Malta failing to find residences due to rapidly increasing prices, which he said have doubled.

Delia warned of the destruction of the county's environmental and cultural heritage, also referencing the worsening air quality.

On the issue of the allegations of corruption made against the current administration, Delia lambasted the government for attacking those who criticised the country.

"The government says that those who are trying to defend the country are doing damage to Malta, that whoever fights corruption has to be silent out of fear of the damage that can be done to the country's corruption. We will not stop, it is the government who should stop being corrupt!"

He was hopeful for the party's future, telling the audience that:

 "I can see every day that more people are coming back to the party. I am convinced and determined that we will all unite together, not because of one leader or force, but because we have a united dream for a better Malta."

Clyde Puli - PN's engine has started again

PN Secretary General Clyde Puli spoke of the importance of unity and said that the discussions that took place over the last few weeks reiterated the party's values and principles, which he repeatedly said are defined by Christian Democracy.

"It is an essential part of our identity and reaffirms everything we are as nationalists. It is the party of the nation. The nation is the spirit and the path we take together. "

He said that the PN followed a particular brand of nationalism, which respects human individuals.

"We are not a party who would push back migrants who are fleeing dangerous parts of the world but then sell citizenship to millionaires. We are not a party that flies the Maltese flag but then reduces the value of the Maltese language. We are a party of civic nationalism inspired by Catholicism and solidarity, a centred nationalism."

Puli rallied the party, telling the audience that the "engine has started again" and that the party was "ready to go".

Michael Briguglio - Unity in diversity

Local Councillor Michael Briguglio, who joined the party in September 2017 and had initially been brought into the fold by former leader Simon Busuttil, spoke of the importance of unity in diversity within the PN, which he said based its opinions on "evidence and professional studies", and that was "close to the people" and sought to improve everyone's lives.

"The PN looks to win by persuasion and not by buying votes. The only plan Muscat has is to win votes so that his clique can become millionaires."

"We all have to contribute towards a unified party which can show people that it is an alternative government."

Frank Psaila also reiterated this commitment towards a unified party, telling delegates that regardless of whoever led the party, its members "always walked shoulder to shoulder with any leader" as "we have always believed that the PN is the only guarantee for a successful Malta."

Photos by James Caruana