Moving forward with a vision

To be the leader of the party in government and offer the post for contention to confirm that councillors continue to have faith in your leadership is no small feat, especially in view of the events in recent weeks. Lawrence Gonzi’s step was a courageous one, a step that showed that he is not clinging to power at all costs and that he was ready to do what is best for the party and best for the country.

… if an election had to be based on credibility there would be no contest- David Casa

The fact that there were no other contestants in this race and the overwhelming result in his favour are testimony that he enjoys absolute trust.

Despite decades of Nationalist governments, the Nationalist Party has shown that it is capable of regenerating itself and that it will not shy away from new challenges, both within and outside the party. Various issues throughout the years have shown us that, despite occasional differences in opinion, PN members have no hidden agendas. We have constantly striven, when in government and during the previous years under the Socialist regime, for the good of the nation.

Unlike our counterparts, we do not want to govern this country for the sake of it but because we are sure that our vision is the best one for this nation. Since the PN was elected to government in 1987, this country has made steps that were unimaginable under the premiership of Dom Mintoff, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfred Sant. The main difference being that these three did not believe in the capabilities of the Maltese whereas Nationalist administrations have always considered the citizen as the best asset the country has.

The left-wing media and Socialist-leaning pundits went to great lengths to try and discredit the outcome of the election held last Saturday. The truth is that they were afraid that Dr Gonzi would obtain the overwhelming result that he in fact did.

This result must have taken Labour strategists back to the drawing board as they realised they fumbled their calculations. What is even more worrying to Labour is the fact that this result echoes the feeling of the man in the street – and not only the Nationalist man in the street – that Dr Gonzi is not only the fittest person to lead the PN but the best man to lead this country.

When one compares the Socialist Administration just over a year before the 1987 election to this Administration, the contrast cannot be starker. Back then, we had panic-stricken ministers who resorted to irregularly employing people in dead-end jobs within governmental organisations, with consequences that continue to linger . Today, this Administration is constantly attracting new foreign investment while encouraging local businesses to expand with the help of funds obtained from the European Union and with a clear strategy and vision for those who are seeking employment.

The same people that have criticised last week’s process within the PN are the same that squabbled over their leadership contest, the same persons that asked for clarifications when one of the contestants brought over a European heavyweight to lobby for him and, ultimately, the same people who labelled their once so-called saviour a traitor. These are the kind of people we are dealing with. I dare say that if an election had to be based on credibility there would be no contest.

This Administration has been responsible enough not to fall into the trap of the opposition. Our leaders know which direction to take and know where our destination is.

History is indelible and the Nationalist administrations always kept their appointment with it. Independence in 1964, EU membership and introduction of the euro.

One wonders where our country would be now had we heeded the advice of the opposition and voted against such huge steps.

Labourites just cannot stomach the fact that our vision has always been the right one for the country and they are now trying to portray themselves as progressive and innovative when, in fact, they have nothing new and nothing innovative to offer.

Sunday morning speeches by members of the old guard are enough proof to convince even the most sceptical.

The worrying fact is that speeches like these are met with roaring applause that further confirms the hunger for power that these new Socialists have.

Our Administration is not intent on making publicity stunts. We want to be judged on what we do and I think that the track record of Nationalist administrations speaks for itself.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.