I have been an MP for roughly seven and a half years. I am not one of the most experienced - some of my colleagues have served for over two decades - but I'm not totally new either. 

In our regular chats between debates in Parliament, I hear anecdotes which underline how much politics has changed. It's been changing dramatically faster over the past few years - more than it did over the previous thirty to forty years.

Partit Nazzjonalista has always been a fundamental catalyst for change in our country. The historic leaders of our party were bold in in their vision for the country, promoting policies which were game-changers for the country and its people. 

Sadly, the changes within the party itself may have not moved as fast as the changes in our society, and this, in my opinion, may have had the effect of leaving PN somewhat out of sync with Maltese society and its needs.

Over the past weeks, I pride myself in having become much closer to the hard-working men and women of our party, the councillors, il-Kunsilliera. For those never involved in a political party it is not easy to understand the role of these foot soldiers. Putting it simply, Kunsilliera for Partit Nazzjonalista (like the Delegati for Partit Laburista) are the heart and soul of the party. 

They are all volunteers. They offer their precious time to the political party they love. They come from all walks of life. Their role is to make the party function at grassroots level. 

Many are members of committees in their town or village. They are there to enrol party members (tesserati) and help out in the logistics of events. They are key players during electoral campaigns and are among the last to leave the counting hall when things go wrong and an election is lost. 

Meeting them and talking to them in the run-up to the historical vote held on 1 August, I could feel their main concerns. The majority want things within the party to change for the better. They are keen to see a more united and well-organised party. 

Even those who voted for a confidence vote, and not an open election, know that change is a must if we want to be relevant. They too aspire and yearn for the glorious PN they cherish so much. 

But they also know that to achieve such goals, changes must be radical and effective.

In the coming weeks, the party will be gearing up for a very important election. It will see the members choose their next party leader. This will be the fourth significant vote since 7 July. First, the Parliamentary Group voted, followed by the Executive Committee and then, finally, the Kunsill Generali.

The winds of change are definitely stronger at the level of tesserati. The number of voters is much bigger. Tesserati are less involved in the party's internal structures but they are keen to cast their vote after following one internal election after another.

Now they too want to be part of the much-needed change.

This growing wave has become evident through the large number of requests from people who are enquiring if they have the right to vote. Of course, new members cannot vote. Tesserati with voting rights must be members for at least two calendar years, in this case since 2018, and membership must be active.

People are eagerly reaching out to us because they want to give life to Partit Nazzjonalista. Some may have lost interest in the party in recent years for various reasons. Now they are seeing this leadership vote as an opportunity and a duty.

With Robert Abela's incompetence, a Labour government overshadowed by scandals, the growing numbers of Covid-19 cases looming at the front door, and the consequences all this will have on our economy, members of Partit Nazzjonalista know that their party is needed much sooner than we all thought.

But the party cannot make a step forward towards being an alternative government by making merely cosmetic changes. That will not satisfy those who want to see real change. 

Party supporters, the members, the tesserati, want more. They do not just want to see the change; they want to be the change. 

The numerous online polls and the more scientific surveys are no longer just an indication as to what people really want. They are a mirror of the reality Partit Nazzjonalista is facing. 

The message is clear. The Party must change, or it is doomed. As things stand now, a once glorious party risks facing total oblivion. 

How can this fate be avoided? We must choose the man who will unite us, who will instil in all of us the courage to be the change and will inspire us to go all the way and win.