I hardly know Robert personally except coming across each other and exchanging greetings on a couple of social occasions. I always held him in high esteem since the early days, way back from the 2008 election, which the PN just won, thanks to the relative majority of votes’ amendment, which after all turned out to be an empty victory.
Despite being elected on two districts with notable majorities Premier Lawrence Gonzi failed to acknowledge the potential and magnetic personal character of Robert which still to this day is unique.
Fourteen years later I have to admit reluctantly that he was the right person in the wrong party – a party, which failed to listen to those in need and feel the pain of those who trusted the party with their votes. The difference was that Robert styled his life according to the beats of his voters' pulses – when slow he slows down and when fast he adjusts his pace accordingly.
He was not in Gonzi's list which was drawn up by the blue-eyed persons who never saw eye to eye with the general voter and who presumed that their level of arrogance and snobbishness would last forever.
Five years later Gonzi got a crushing defeat, a result which was not expected by those high-headed persons of the PN. Gonzi resigned to make way to Simon Busuttil – same tune, different singer, who had the same ideas and different means how to implement them.
Meanwhile, Robert kept on with his hard work which was to become his stigma – collecting money for the party and collect he did! Still, this was to no avail and a Cabinet position was not available for him while Busuttil kept on implementing his predecessor's erroneous policies and strategies.
Robert was the cash cow providing the party with funds while Gonzi, followed by Busuttil, squandered these funds to the extent that the party starting haemorrhaging workers, assets and voters. This was not all! Busuttil had the courage to beg an entrepreneur of a private hotel to list several employees of the PN administration on the company’s payroll. Again, history repeated itself and Busuttil suffered another landslide defeat in the 2017 election.
An amendment in the party statute allowed outsiders to submit their nomination for party leader and this turned to be the party's elite undoing. The voters outside screamed for change and saw that Delia may be the one who reacts to their cries. Party tesserati elected him as party leader, when gradually a group of jackals within the party starting planning his downfall. These were the same persons who ruined and bankrupt the party and remained there waiting for the opportune time to remove Delia.
Adrian recognised, and admired Robert's capabilities, and the party elected Robert as deputy leader. This was when both Delia and Robert realised the dire financial situation of the party. Gradually they took the steps to address the situation so that the party can cover its current expenses and stabilise the party's finances.
This was not what the party blue-eyed persons wanted. Their aim was to remove Delia and by hook or by crook planning and under planning they devised a way to remove Delia eventually to face Bernard Grech in an election.
These jackals accused Adrian of all that was wrong in the party and even more that he was prejudicing the forthcoming election result. Even Gonzi saw it opportune to address the general council and influence them against Adrian.
Grech was now the new leader, a karaoke singer who only sang what they put in front of him. A pied piper, who was supposed to impress followers with his tune, which later turned out that he was losing more followers, with the party now at its lowest in history.
Still now all were silent; none went to the President to protest to remove Bernard, obviously they accepted the consequences of the situation they created.
Bernard was the team leader and what he did was try to sideline from the party Delia’s followers, irrespective what contribution they were giving to the party.
Robert Arrigo was now again the target. They were prepared to slay the goose that lays the golden eggs as long as they were satisfying their egoism.
Now the party has a Bernard follower as deputy leader. They now have full control of the titanic which is going down at an alarming pace.
Arrigo is gone, from the party's administration yes, but from our PN genuine hearts never!
Hold your head high Robert, no one dared point a finger at you, they saw you as a threat they knew you were on the right side of honesty. You captivated our heart with no speeches but with the good deeds you did to the party.
Years on party followers will recall your kindness and big heart and say thanks for what you gave to the party! It is opportune to remind those within the party, who still cannot understand that the party cannot survive without people like Robert. You may succeed in sidelining the person from the party but never ever will you be able to remove the party from the person! Good luck Robert and God bless!
Emmanuel J. Galea
Victoria, Gozo