I have many a time during my political career stressed the importance of standing up to be counted when the time comes and when an issue needs addressing. We enter the political arena to serve our people, to be the voice of those whose voice needs amplifying and to carry the message of those people who trusted us by voting for us.

Forming part of an organisation means abiding by its rules and principles- David Casa

Guido de Marco used to frequently say that politics is a mission. No words could be more accurate and those who enter politics for any purpose other than serving their fellow countrymen would certainly fare better in the private sector.

For most politicians in Malta, forming part of an organisation or a political party means that our loyalty and obligations do not end with our constituents. They are extended to the party itself and to our leader and it would be a significant mistake to let any other personal ambitions undermine this endeavour.

It must be clear that forming part of an organisation means abiding by its rules and principles and settling any disagreements through the channels that the organisation has to offer. Otherwise, there is no other option but to leave.

Many were those who asked me about my decision to contest the upcoming election in Malta. After all, my seat in the European Parliament is safe until 2014 and the districts I am contesting are relatively new to me, even though I must say that the reception I have had in both of them has been overwhelming thus far.

The truth is that this is a very interesting period in Maltese politics and a challenging one for the Nationalist Party. I am prepared and willing to take on this challenge alongside my leader, my colleagues and all those who believe that the PN is the best option for Malta and Gozo.

At a time when our adversaries are scrutinizing every move that we make to try and gain political advantages, I am ready for this new experience and will do my utmost to ensure that the PN achieves another victory in the best interest of our country.

Should I be elected, I will not replicate the decision that Joseph Muscat took upon his election as Labour Party leader. After being elected leader, Muscat remained in Brussels for months, for one reason or another. That is to say, I will not stay in Brussels. I will, instead, feel both honoured and responsible to serve my constituents in the fifth and sixth districts to the best of my abilities and I can think of no better way to serve my voters than by being close to them.

Politics is a lifelong experience and as politicians we shoulder great responsibility. I am ready to take this new step in the best interest of this country and its citizens and to serve them just as I did at the European Parliament.

I will do so with the same vigour and energy that I have displayed in the past and am eager to draw on the valuable experience that I gained throughout these eight years at the European Parliament for the benefit of the Maltese citizens.

Politics is all about people; our focus should hence be the people and how to make their lives better. This also means being able to make difficult decisions, safe in the knowledge that these will ultimately lead to a better future. Five years ago, Lawrence Gonzi asked the electorate to judge his government and the way it performed and I think the results speak for themselves.

Today, we have an opposition that, yet again, is offering no alternative. We have an opposition that, despite its huge marketing efforts and the cosmetic changes it is undergoing, still fails to offer substantial solutions. But we cannot afford to change merely for the sake of changing and we cannot afford to trust this country in the hands of people who will not know how to govern it.

We have to look forward with optimism, knowing that we have managed to weather the financial turmoil that engulfed Europe with the help of diligent governance and with the policies that the PN in government adopted. Nationalist governments have given Malta the status and the identity it enjoys today and we cannot afford to lose all the ground we have gained.

The PN, through its leaders and its members, has always believed in the potential of our country and I, as a member of this party, want to do my utmost in order to give more power to the people, create more opportunities for businessmen, open more doors for students, ensure that the environment is protected and guarantee a better way of life for the generations to follow.

I have stood up to be counted. I want to serve this country and its people in the best possible ways and you too can stand up to be counted by entrusting your future to the PN once again.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.