As I write, the Nationalist Party is in deep trouble. Bernard Grech resigned abruptly, leaving his party to pick up the pieces. Roberta Metsola, who many portrayed her as the new PN 'messiah' ended up choosing Brussels.  

PN supporters are learning, at their own expense, that the portrayal of hope meant one thing and in reality was another, as Ray Bezzina in a not so subtle manner wrote in one of the English language papers elsewhere. 

No playground

It is yet unclear who will step into Bernard Grech's shoes. Names have been flaunted, including those of PN politicians who have been tried, tested, and sent packing and others with varied experiences. 

A mes

The strong establishment within the party, which has gripped the PN by neck for the past several years, despite claims to the contrary by Charles Bonello, the incumbent PN Secretary General, is expected to have the last word. It always does. PN supporters are all over social media, desperate at the sight of their party, once led by political heavyweights, flat on its back. It is a mess, really.

Overshadowed

Rumours have it that Bernard Grech was overshadowed by Roberta Metsola, who, for the past five years, kept PN supporters guessing on an immediate return to Malta.

Having a stronger support base amongst PN voters than Bernard Grech, who admittedly is a 'Johnny-come-lately' within the political field, Metsola's political antics, and her refusal to fully support her PN leader, inflicted untold harm over Grech's leadership and the Nationalist Party. When Bernard Grech felt that he had had enough, he went to his party's TV station and announced his resignation - leaving many with the PN surprised.

Brussels first

In his address to the nation, the opposition leader emphasized the female gender when he spoke about this successor. That was taken as a clear reference to Roberta Metsola. After nearly a week of avoiding the press, and with huge pressure mounting from the establishment forces within her party to ditch Brussels and move back to Malta, Metsola issued a hastily put Facebook post announcing that her heart belonged to Brussels.

Hot summer

The PN is now searching for a new leader. It is up to them to decide who best fits the role, and a decision is expected to be taken by the end of summer. It will be a long, hot summer for the PN...

Beyond the leadership

The real problem with the Nationalist Party goes beyond its leader or whoever will take his place. People who have deep knowledge of the PN speak about a 'sense of entitlement' by the key players within the party - mostly MPs that make up the party's political establishment who have been calling the shots since, at least, the Lawrence Gonzi days. These are the people who plot, manoeuvre, and decide the political fate of their own colleagues. Valid people within their party were sidelined because they could never allow themselves to be humiliated by this all-powerful political establishment.

Been there

PN activists and insiders insist that unless the PN dismantles its political establishment, things will only get worse. However, they readily admit that this happening is next to impossible for 'the establishment has become the PN'.

The Adrian Delia leadership was a case in point. Key members of the PN establishment plotted against him and eventually ousted him from his leadership position. Back then, Dr Delia had promised a clean sweep of the PN establishment. They defied him and won. Eventually, Delia gave in and is now comfortably rubbing shoulders with the same people who worked tirelessly against him - the 17 Blue Heroes, that included Robert Metsola, and Claudette Buttigieg who earlier this week announced, not to the dismay of many nationalist supporters, it seems, that she won't seek re-election. The blue heroes included Jason Azzopardi, the former PN minister, who last Wednesday lashed out against President Myriam Spiteri Debono, calling her 'incompetent'.

Needed: An Opposition

As a Labour Party politician, I often meet Labour Party supporters who are 'happy' with the chaotic situation within the Opposition Party. Hand on heart, I'm not. Not only does the chaos within the PN affect Malta, but a strong and healthy opposition party is a must in a democracy.

 Its own critic

Faced with an opposition in disarray, it is crucial for the Labour Party to keep regenerating itself and be its own harshest critic.

Following the June 2024 MEP and Local Council elections, which Labour won although with a narrower majority than the 2022 general election, the party lost no time in taking stock of the situation. Changes were made within the party's structures and us. Cabinet members, and our MP colleagues, realized that being busy governing, and delivering excellent economic results, was not enough and that we must be closer to the people, understanding their needs and challenges and providing solutions. That's what we did, with greater intensity since June 2024 and what we are still doing and shall continue to do, and people are noticing.

 A bright future

And whilst the PN factions continue to wreak havoc within their party, the Labour Party in government under the headship of a very good Prime Minister, Dr Robert Abela, continues to implement its ambitious 1,000 strong proposals electoral manifesto, seventy per cent of which has already been implemented, and we are now full speed ahead implementing the rest. In the coming weeks and months, more family and business-friendly measures will follow. Our track record shows that we deliver what we promise. The future is bright. Labour can guarantee that.

Lands

Now that I'm swiftly settling in the political shoes of the responsibility Lands portfolio, I have understood more how much indebted we should all be towards the people who work at the Lands Authority, Lands Registry and Joint Office.  

I am proud of each and every one of them. We want to increase the efficiency, we want to provide a better service to the general public and we want to make this sector more attractive to the people who want to make a career out of working in this part of the public service.