The Nationalist Party lost its grip on power in 2013, but the actual damage started in 2008. The warning signs were clear, leaving no room for doubt or misunderstanding about the potential danger. GonziPN barely secured victory with a wafer-thin majority, yet no serious effort followed to rebuild the party's strength. The government staggered through five turbulent years, losing credibility with rising utility bills, transport chaos, a swelling backlog of Planning Authority permits, anti-hunting stance, and internal divisions. Labour sensed the shift and moved in with a campaign that promised change. The 2013 election wiped PN out, leaving it with a historic defeat and no proper direction.

Losing power should have sparked renewal. Instead, the party fell into a cycle of weak leadership, internal battles, and a failure to understand why voters had abandoned it. Labour expanded its majority in 2017, and despite the scandals and corruption revelations, PN barely made progress in 2022. The party remains stuck in opposition, polling miles behind Labour. Unless it changes course, it risks becoming a permanent opposition force, unable to offer a real challenge.

The party drifted from its base. It stopped speaking the language of the people, choosing instead to focus on internal disputes and policy positions disconnected from voters' concerns. Labour's hold on power is not just about clever campaigning; it is about PN's failure to present a real alternative. Corruption scandals, economic inequality, and growing dissatisfaction should have weakened Labour, but PN has not capitalised. People see a divided opposition with no coherent plan, no inspiring leadership, and no convincing reason to switch sides.

The collapse of trust did not happen overnight. Simon Busuttil tried to rebuild after the 2013 loss, positioning the party as the defender of good governance. He led the charge on corruption, particularly after the Panama Papers scandal in 2016. The message gained traction but did not translate into votes. People cared about corruption, but they needed more than outrage. What they lacked and required for progress was a well-defined vision. Busuttil's coalition experiment with Partit Demokratiku in 2017 confused voters and failed to break Labour's dominance. Following the previous defeat, another landslide defeat unfortunately occurred.

Adrian Delia stepped in with a promise to reconnect with the grassroots. He talked about a different politics, one that brought PN closer to people's daily struggles. But from day one, internal factions worked against him. The fight was not against Labour; it was against his own MPs, party officials, and insiders who refused to accept him. While he fought to unify the party, PN's poll numbers remained stagnant. Even after winning a confidence vote among members, internal resistance never stopped. In 2020, his opponents forced him out, further alienating the grassroots members who had voted him in.

Bernard Grech replaced Delia with a promise to restore unity and credibility. At first, he provided stability, but he plunged into the same trap. He wasn't a powerful leader, and the project responded to problems instead of preventing them. Labour controlled the narrative, while PN struggled to define what it stood for. The 2022 election delivered another resounding defeat, with Labour maintaining its dominance. PN gained one seat, but the message from voters remained clear: the party had not done enough to earn back trust.

With another election approaching, PN cannot afford another cycle of missed opportunities. The PN needs a complete rebuild. People will not vote for an opposition that merely reacts to Labour's mistakes. They will vote for a party that inspires confidence, offers proper solutions, and addresses their concerns. Good governance matters, but it cannot be the only message. People want better wages, lower living costs, improved public services, and a proper plan for Malta's future.

Winning back voters starts with leadership. PN needs a leader who connects with people, not just party insiders. Charisma, conviction, and the ability to communicate a clear vision are non-negotiable. Leaders who speak in technical jargon or focus on procedural politics will not energise the electorate. People want someone who listens, understands their struggles, and fights for them with passion. They want someone who is not afraid to challenge Labour, but also presents a credible plan for change.

Policy must shift towards real, tangible proposals. Tax cuts, economic growth, and business incentives are not enough if people feel their quality of life is deteriorating. The party must address cost-of-living issues head-on. Housing remains unaffordable, wages lag inflation, and infrastructure outside the main urban areas continues to suffer from neglect. The government benefits from a robust economy, but not everyone feels its effects. PN must hammer this point relentlessly, offering bold solutions that show it understands the challenges ordinary people face.

Grassroots engagement cannot be an afterthought. PN lost ground because it lost touch. It became a party that spoke to itself rather than to the people. Labour dominates because it built a well-oiled political machine that never stops working. PN needs to rebuild its local structures, listen to communities, and be present in every district-not just during election time. House visits, community meetings, and constant engagement must become the norm, not the exception.

Messaging must become sharper and more direct. Labour wins because it keeps things simple: jobs, stability, and economic growth. PN must counter this with clear, memorable messages that resonate. Long-winded policy documents will not win elections. People want to hear how their lives will improve under a PN government. If Labour can condense its message into a few words, PN must do the same. Simplicity and clarity will win over vague, complex statements.

It is imperative that internal disagreements and conflicts end to ensure efficiency and collaboration. No party can win when it spends more time fighting itself than its opponent. The infighting, the backstabbing, and the power struggles must stop. Unity does not mean silencing different opinions, but it means focusing on a common goal: winning. Any leader who emerges must have the full backing of the party. Undermining leadership from within only weakens the party further.

The next election will not be easy, but it is winnable. Labour has governed for over a decade, and cracks are appearing. With each passing moment, the people's frustration mounts, their restlessness becoming increasingly clear. The scandals, the arrogance, and the sense of invincibility will eventually catch up with the government. But PN cannot sit back and wait for Labour to collapse. It must seize the moment, drive the agenda, and convince the country that it offers a real alternative.

Losing three elections in a row should have forced deeper reflection. Another defeat could push PN into long-term irrelevance. The choice is simple: wake up, fight, and win-or fade away. The party has the history, the resources, and the people to stage a comeback. But it needs to act now. History may never forgive the current party administration if their procrastination continues. The window for change is closing fast.