Last Saturday, I communicated with the press a decision taken by the PN’s administration not to include my name on the party’s list for approval by the executive committee. Needless to say, this decision left many a supporter (across the divide) flabbergasted. I will practise what I preached. The party has the prerogative and I bow to the party’s will.

I have in the past made it very clear that being a candidate on a party’s list is no one’s right. That is a privilege that the party bestows to those worthy of receiving it. I have also said that in the candidate recruitment process the party is supreme.

My past statements have not been made out of convenience. I am still convinced of this principle. Why, then, one might ask did I bother to hold a press conference to announce the party’s decision?

It was not an easy decision to make. My sole motivation for the event was to clear my name from any speculation. Supporters have a right to know why my candidacy has been rejected.

Three years ago, I met the Prime Minister and, in the presence of my wife and the party’s general secretary, discussed my candidacy. Lawrence Gonzi gave me the green light to start working in the district. I remember very well the good advice he gave me during the same meeting to look after the interests of my family and that my family should come ahead of politics.

I started my work immediately and, for over three years, I was present in the district, regularly visiting families in their homes, meeting people who solicited my advice.

Now that I have been informed by the party that my services are no longer required, people in my district (and not only) are asking what could have motivated this rejection. It is very rare, except when serious matters arise, that parties reject individuals to stand for elections. It is even rarer to exclude candidates who had already been given the green light by the party leader.

What could I have done wrong? Why would the party throw away hundreds of votes by my elimination from the list? People were speculating and I just could not give an explanation. I owe it to the people in the district, to those who were on my team and to my family. They deserved an explanation.

The reason why I was left out was explained to the press last Saturday. For the past two years, the party asked me to sign a declaration to withdraw an allegation I never made. This was unacceptable to me. If running for Parliament was the be-all and end-all to me I would have signed. But it is not. Having made no allegations, I retained that no declarations were necessary. I penned my opinions in the past through various articles and TV appearances and I believe there is nothing I ought to retract.

As expected, some quarters of the media are speculating about the PN’s real motivation for eliminating me from the race. If there is another motive apart from the one communicated to me, I am unaware. This may come to light after the general election.

Some have suggested that the person behind my elimination is Austin Gatt, to push Manuel Delia in my stead. This is utter rubbish. I know Gatt. Gatt is a party man and would do all he can to maximise the party’s vote tally in the election. Although Delia is close to him, for Gatt, the party’s interest comes before anything else.

My candidacy now appears to be a closed chapter. It is going to be strange for me not to be actively involved in the election. If, in the future, the party will be requiring my services I will return without any hesitation. The PN will remain my party.

I wish once again to thank the PN for giving me the opportunity to serve my country as a candidate and as a local councillor. I love my party. I am hurt but I will remain loyal. Loyalty is tested not in calm waters but in times like these.

I wish to particularly thank Eddie Fenech Adami for giving me the opportunity to serve in the party and for once again giving me a vote of confidence last Saturday. I am happy to have had the trust of Gonzi until the plug was pulled. I accept this decision serenely if this will contribute to the party winning the election in March.

I thank the people of the fifth district. They will always have a special place in my heart.

I thank all those who supported me and were part of my team.

Finally, I wish to thank my family who stood by me throughout the years no matter what.