The 21st September 1964 will remain a watershed moment in domestic history, when the then Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationalist Party Giorgio Borg Olivier ushered in a new era for Malta and the Maltese - independence.
Getting there was not an easy journey. Despite the difficult negotiations and local political hurdles, Dr Borg Olivier persisted to fulfil his and the Party’s vision for Malta. Supported by an innate belief in the Maltese people together with a very determined and ambitious vision for the country, Malta and Gozo took their own reins and started the journey of rebuilding their economy from scratch.
Today, 56 years down the line, we have a strong and diversified economy. Throughout these years, we have managed to diversify our economy even though its foundations remain tied to the Nationalist Party’s vision back then; to develop Malta into a regional hub in services, so that Malta can compete with other larger countries. Through the power of regulation, we today have developed a myriad of economic sectors including financial services, remote gaming, maritime, aviation, pharmaceuticals and others that continue to provide economic value added and quality employment. Tourism too remains a mainstay of the economy and important contributor.
This vision for a strong and independent nation was reaffirmed when the Nationalist Party, led by Eddie Fenech Adami, fulfilled the vision of Malta acceding to the European Union as a European Member State.
The Nationalist Party has always been on the right side of history and its continued belief in Malta and Gozo has led to tangible benefits and an improved quality of life. Moreover, it is precisely at this juncture that the Nationalist Party needs to be in a position to liberate our nation once again. This time not from a colonial force, but from an organised gang of malefactors who hijacked the party in Government. In such delicate and challenging times, the Party needs to, once again, present the Maltese with a renewed vision - a dream - for the island and its people.
With the pandemic expected to remain a threat to public health and our economy in the months to come, our SMEs and businesses require timely and targeted support to see them through the darkest hours. In parallel, we are hearing from our courts the lengths at which the Labour Government went to instil a culture of institutionalized corruption with scandals being unveiled way too frequently. We have witnessed a meltdown of our institutions, of the rule of law and of good governance besides an utter state of impunity towards some government officials and persons of trust. In addition to that, whereas Malta used to be seen and treated with respect, today it is seen as questionable and certainly with no ethical gravitas. All of this is happening against the background of a critical Moneyval test which has the power to seriously damaging our financial services sector, a main economic contributor.
More than ever, we need an alternative. Not only to undo the nearly irreparable damage that was made in just seven years, but more importantly to present a new vision for Malta and Gozo as it continues its ever-long journey of nationhood. We wish to see a nation that is economically sound and attractive, diversified and a key regional hub in a number of areas. We wish to see a nation where quality tops quantity, and where persons rank before numbers. We wish to see a nation with strong institutions where the rule of law is guaranteed and where its institutions operate freely and independently. We wish to see a nation where the environment is protected and whereby regeneration efforts propel the new economy. We wish to see a nation that is truly inclusive and equitable where the person takes centre stage in the nation’s political development.
For all of this to happen, we need a united and renewed Nationalist Party. A Party that is inclusive in its way of doing things; that opens the doors for opinionated and evidence-based policy debates. We need a renewed structure that focuses on effectiveness and efficiency both in its administrative and commercial arms. We need a Party that attracts and develops tomorrows imbued with the values of integrity, equality and solidarity. Above all, we need a Party that is reflective of today’s society, giving room and space for women to excel and to contribute to a better Malta. It is precisely for this need that I have humbly submitted my nomination for Leader of the Nationalist Party.
No one can predict what is going to happen. However, as Abraham Lincoln would have it, the best way to predict the future is to create it ourselves. This is my purpose. That by becoming once again a united Party, we will be in a position to offer a renewed vision for Malta and the Maltese, based on the same belief, ambition and faith the Nationalist Party had fifty-six years ago. This, in order to succeed in transforming our beloved nation into a renovated Republic founded on the common good. Only in this way, will the Nationalist party be once more on the right side of history.
Bernard Grech is a lawyer and a candidate for the post on PN leader