Everyone has a responsibility to help clear Malta's name from corruption and "we must come together as a nation so that we can shoulder this responsibility together," Opposition leader Adrian Delia said during his speech on Sunday.
On Thursday, the PN announced that it reviewed and amended its statute, which "is expected to open a new chapter in the PN's history."
This process was led by Louis Galea whom PN Leader Delia, backed by the Executive Committee, brought in to handle the reform process.
On Sunday, the General Council met under the Council Presidency of Censu Galea, in the presence of Delia, party officials and councillors.
Secretary General Francis Dimech explained that this statute has been built from the roots up and expressed his appreciation towards the transparent process they followed to approve it, that is, by including all internal structures in the process and televising it so that everyone could have their say. "This is an example of how politics should be handled," he said.
Deputy Leader of the PN Robert Arrigo said that the party has faced some rough seas due to internal disagreements, but said that these must be put aside in order to move forward.
"Let us all stay in the same square, we may not be able to talk to each other, we might not be able to see eye to eye and look at the PN flag from different angles. But let's talk, let's agree. Malta is more important than the PL and the PN, and we will give no future to Malta if we continue doing so. Let's put pressure to improve," he said. "Imagine total unity against the crooks everywhere, what strength we would have, option B will be a disaster. I sincerely hope that people remove hate and use their brain."
A party that fights for the common good
Reflecting back on the 140 years in which the PN has been active, PN leader Delia said that throughout the years, the PN has always adapted its goals and its statute depending on the needs of the current context. The same applies today, he said, a time where Malta is at risk of losing everything that it has worked so hard for.
"This statute is a political message that will show what we want to do for our party and, in turn, help us understand what we will be able to do for the future of our country. This is why the PN made the decision to change itself, so that, once again, it will be the party to bring about change in the country," Delia said.
"Our aim is to serve our country and work for the common good," he said. "You might question if this really needs to be said by a party that promotes good governance, but yes, at this point in Malta's history there is need for this to be said because this principle has been neglected by the current government."
Delia explained that the common good means that if one person succeeds in some way or another, other people benefit from their achievements. This is the ethics that the party is promoting, one which promotes the needs of the vulnerable or common person, and not elitist perspectives that simply make the rich, richer.
Delia encouraged all PN members to use this statute as a symbol of encouragement which will bring about a willingness to change and support the party in various ways, aside from attending general meetings - "own the fact that you are part of a party that will bring change."
This is not about winning the next election, even though that is something the party looks forward to, Delia clarified, saying that this is something which the PL government is focused on.
"There is a lot that shows that the labour government does not know what it has to do in government, such as their comments centred on winning rather than serving," he said referring to these comments as "political arrogance".
With this in mind, he said that everyone within the party and those who support it must pull up their sleeves and make sacrifices together to help the party in any way they can. "This also means becoming more involved in the internal processes of the party. Do not only tell us what change you want to see within the party, join us to make that change happen from the inside."
"Regaining the trust of those who supported us is a process," Delia said, "a process that requires conviction, dialogue and becoming closer to the people so that the party can open its ears and hearts to what people have to say. "
The PN has an obligation to be a leader in giving people what they want so that the PN will be the party that inspires workers, businesses and the young, he added. "We have to ascertain that we will be realising all that we have written down."
"We have to maintain a more inclusive vision of the common good and overcome the tribal political scene we have in Malta, which is filled with empty insults and debates. We have to give space to everyone and avoid labelling so we become the party of those who have the country's best interests at heart," he said.
The virus of corruption and absolute power
Turning his attention to the COVID-19 pandemic, Delia thanked all frontliners who worked for hours on end in order to regulate the spread of the virus in our country. He explained that he has already appealed for the government to give an extra three days of paid leave to all frontliners as a symbol of appreciation.
He added that "even though we are doing better in this regard, there is still a virus which runs rampant within our country; that is the virus of corruption and absolute power that the current government is spreading."
Delia made reference to a number of controversial contracts and situations that the government has been faced with over the past years such as the Vitals Healthcare contract and more recently, the Montenegro deal.
"This corruption and stealing is causing great harm to our reputation among foreigners who are seeing the country as the government that is using corruption as a tool to rule with, and, incredulously, (former PM) Joseph Muscat has said that he knew nothing of this corruption even though it was happening right under his nose."