That small PN core!

I have no doubt that in his article Stop Those Short-Lived Games, Frank Zammit wanted to make a heartfelt appeal to address what he believes is wrong within the Nationalist Party and as a former PN mayor and a member of the party's executive his point becomes even stronger.

A lot is being said about the last-minute pull-out of the PN candidates from the Zejtun and Marsa local elections, which strategy seems to have made Mr Zammit see red to the extent of implying that there exists within the PN a small group of people who are playing what he calls "short-lived games" that go against the party's Christian democratic principles.

I also happen to be a PN member and an executive member of its youth section, the MZPN, and like Mr Zammit I also have the interests of the party at heart. However, as a young citizen my number one priority is this country of ours and my future.

Like Mr Zammit, I am frustrated, too, but my frustration is of a different type. This country is facing some very serious challenges; a deficit which needs trimming, restructuring which has cost us quite a number of jobs, a pension system which urgently needs to be addressed, fierce competition from our neighbours and an education system which is being seriously scrutinised and bettered, are but a few of the challenges we are facing as a nation. Carrying out such a hard task we have a no-nonsense Prime Minister who is clearly committed to his job.

Now Labour is accusing the PN of being a threat to democracy but thinks we can ever forget its reaction when, way back in 1998 after the PN won the general election, it described the government as "illegitimate".

Neither can we forget the shock horror scenes we witnessed when Labour ignored the clear will of the people in the EU referendum and called its supporters to Marsa to celebrate the "partnership victory". What do you call that if not an anti-democratic strategy of the first order?

On the other hand, this country is doomed with an irresponsible opposition party that wants the people to believe they have the answer to all Malta's challenges. But it's just talk. They've been marching and carcading but not once have they come up with a solution; they just play their opposition role literally, criticising anything this government does or proposes. With other social forces by their side, they do their utmost to halt the Gonzi administration from carrying on with its fruitful work for this country.

Mr Zammit, too, believes that Labour has nothing to offer but wants the PN to "get back to basics" and insists that we "participate in politics not to win by tricks but by substance and persuasion". The former PN mayor should know that if he believes the PN has the potential of winning the next election, then all he has to do is use all his efforts and energy to push forward the government's agenda. Only thus can he assure himself that this country continues to be run by a serious, devoted government which is the PN.

We may disagree on which party or organisation we may want to support but there are times when reason and responsibility demands of us to behave in a given manner. Unfortunately, people sometimes tend to miss the wood for the trees. This country is at the crossroads and the choice is very clear, whether we want the politics of the MLP, which is all words and aspirations, or the PN, which has the policies able to translate its aspirations into reality.

Now is the time for us all to help in whatever way we can to assure that this country continues to move forward. The PM and his Cabinet have pulled up their socks and so should we. People like Mr Zammit have a lot to offer the party and above all this country. There exists an immense wealth of talent and potential which if put to a good use will bear much needed fruit.

Regarding the "small core of the party that calls the shots and continues to ignore the feelings of active party members", which Mr Zammit refers to, it would be interesting should he provide us with more details about which core he is referring to. Like Mr Zammit, I'm also an active party member and the only core I know of within the party is its administration, the executive and its various movements that are all working together to provide me and the young generation with a better country to live in.